Eastenders reflect on the ups and downs of 2012
AS
anticipated Easington United’s calendar year came to a soggy end with the First
Team’s third consecutive postponement due to a waterlogged pitch.
They must
now hope that Low Farm gets chance to dry out before January 5, when CML South
high-fliers Belper United are scheduled to arrive in the League Cup.
At least
the natural break provides a chance to reflect on a year of change at the club.
On the
field 2012 saw The Eastenders attain their highest ever league placing in the
“Football Pyramid”. In addition, one of
our teams moved up a division, one went down and all three changed managers.
At senior
level, Dave Mackay-Dundas’s 16-year association as player, assistant-manager
and manager came to an end last May, having taken the First Team to a top-ten
placing in the Central Midlands League North Division.
Dave’s
replacement in the “hot seat” was Sean McLaughlin. “The Sumo” – as he is known to anybody with
more than a passing interest in the local game – was joined at the helm by
former skipper Andy Graham, Mike Nicholson and Tony Hunt, although Nicholson’s
involvement has since been curtailed by other commitments.
After a
bright start, the First Team has found this season an increasingly tough
challenge. However, given that recent
line-ups have included only two or three players over 24 years of age, there is
no cause for despair. The players have
shown themselves eager to learn and rarely willing to throw in the towel, which
has provided a good grounding for the challenges that lay ahead.
At ER
County League level the Reserves enjoyed a mixed 2012. The end of last season brought with it
relegation to Division 1 but also a magnificent win in one of the finest South
Holderness Cup Finals anyone can remember.
Under new
manager Gavin Thurkettle and assistant Dave Gatti, the Stiffs are currently
mounting a serious promotion bid and have also taken a couple of Premier
Division scalps en route to a place in the quarter-finals of the League Senior
Cup.
The
Casuals gave outgoing manager Iain McNaught the perfect send-off with the
Division 5 title, which was clinched in January – something unheard of in
County League history. They remained
unbeaten throughout and but for a draw in their final game would have enjoyed a
perfect campaign.
Taking up
the reins for 2012/13, Daniel Campbell and assistant Jodi Stow have made a
solid start to life in Division 4, although the expected departure of leading
scorer Karl Hodgson leaves something of a void to fill in the New Year.
Behind
the scenes, 2012 saw Richard Lusmore named the Central Midlands League’s ‘Secretary
of the Year’ and Doug Clubley as ‘Volunteer of the Year’ by the East Riding
County FA.
Chairman
Doug’s 60 years’ celebration in November provided one of the off-field
highlights, while the recent Race Night and Christmas Draw brought in
much-needed funds, along with new partner club Sporting Withernsea Wolves’
inaugural tournament at Low Farm and October’s sponsored walk along the Humber
Bank.
Proceeds
from these not only prove a godsend but should also allow the club to make a
significant donation to its chosen good cause, the Paediatric Nephrology
Department at Leeds General Infirmary.
As we now
look ahead to 2013, the Committee of Easington United AFC would like to thank
all managers, players, supporters and sponsors for their efforts over the past
twelve months.
For the
latest news visit our website (www.easington-united.co.uk), follow us on Twitter at @EasingtonUtd or check out our
Facebook page.
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