5-time BritLeague champions London United had a mixed 2011, winning the second-tier European Club Championship, but losing key midfielder Craig CraiCo to Madrid Magic and finishing 5th, missing out on Champions League football.
But the likes of skipper John Macdonald, Rodrigo Santos, Carlos Torres-Pizarro and Craig Palmer return for the Black and Red this year, who this season will sport a PSG-style kit (as modelled by Macdonald on the right).
Goalkeeper Simon Herding has gone to Real Birmingham and has been replaced by Steven Knott, who spent most of last season on loan helping West London Warriors reach BritLeague 1.
Friday, 24 February 2012
London Town 2012 BritLeague Preview
London Town will continue as one of the title challengers in 2012, with very little in the way of transfers, with exception of Ryan Wise and Brazilian youngster Neylon, both wingers.
John Carey will be leading from the front as usual with the likes of Andrea Romano, but with Quique having a slow start to his Town career - only five goals in 2011 - nothing is certain at LG Park.
Captain Daniel Perry is once in the heart of the defence with Juanpa, but imposing Dutch 'keeper Marco Schuipers has returned home and has been replaced by Belgium's No.1 Philip Van Rekeren between the sticks.
John Carey will be leading from the front as usual with the likes of Andrea Romano, but with Quique having a slow start to his Town career - only five goals in 2011 - nothing is certain at LG Park.
Captain Daniel Perry is once in the heart of the defence with Juanpa, but imposing Dutch 'keeper Marco Schuipers has returned home and has been replaced by Belgium's No.1 Philip Van Rekeren between the sticks.
Bristol Pirates 2012 BritLeague Preview
One player does not make a team, but if 2011's Young Player of the Year Chad Blake is not handled the right way, Bristol Pirates could be in real trouble.
After an amazing 2011 season, which concluded with him getting England CSA honours, attacking midfielder/trequartista Blake is a player with lots of potential, but a volatile temper can cause havoc in the team chemistry.
With the loss of Dutch midfielder Alex Wijnkamp to the Monsters, the Pirates will find it tough, but one will have to wait and see if Montenegro international Stefan Suzic is an adequate replacement.
Monsters FC 2012 BritLeague Preview
The champions of last year, the Monsters are going to find it tough to retain their title.
Despite the fearsome strike-force of Craig Wisniewski and Edward Redwood leading the line again this year, the Green-and-Purple have a few holes in the midfield, hopefully filled by the signing of Dutch international Alex Wijnkamp.
Despite the fearsome strike-force of Craig Wisniewski and Edward Redwood leading the line again this year, the Green-and-Purple have a few holes in the midfield, hopefully filled by the signing of Dutch international Alex Wijnkamp.
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Champs Monsters start off against Nottingham
2011 champions the Monsters will begin their 2012 BritLeague 1 campaign against FC Nottingham in the traditional Friday night opening kick-off to the season at Monsters Park on Friday 24 February.
While newly-promoted side, the West London Warriors will travel to the east of capital to take on London United on Sunday 26 February, after the Dragons, who surprisingly finished sixth last season, host Bristol Pirates that same day.
Real Birmingham, who finished second in '11, will host newly-renamed Sporting Club Sheffield (formerly the Strikers), FC London will host Leeds Lightning, Merseyside FC (née the Mighty Rats) host Newcastle Geordies, South Coast Rangers visit London Town, Manchester Rockers host Dublin Shamrocks, Glasgow FC visit East Anglia to take on the Knights, and Leicester Phantoms, who managed a Houdini-style escape from relegation in '11, open up against newly-promoted Essex, who were admitted due to the financial situation of second-to-last placed Edinburgh.
Friday 24 February
Monsters v FC Nottingham (2000 BST)
Saturday 25 February (kick-off times all 1500 BST unless stated)
East Anglia Knights v Glasgow FC
FC London v Leeds Lightning
Leicester Phantoms v Essex Saxons
London Town v South Coast Rangers (1230 BST)
Manchester Rockers v Dublin Shamrocks
Merseyside FC v Newcastle Geordies
Real Birmingham v Sporting Club Sheffield (1730 BST)
Sunday 26 February
Dragons v Bristol Pirates (1330 BST)
London United v West London Warriors (1730 BST)
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Saxons to replace Edinburgh
Essex Saxons will compete in next year's BritLeague due to Edinburgh FC's financial troubles.
Originally the West London Warriors, who beat the Saxons in the BritLeague 2's Match for Promotion, were to replace last placed Ulster FC, but with Edinburgh's situation means the Saxons will take their place in the top flight with the Warriors.
Originally the West London Warriors, who beat the Saxons in the BritLeague 2's Match for Promotion, were to replace last placed Ulster FC, but with Edinburgh's situation means the Saxons will take their place in the top flight with the Warriors.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Monsters win BritLeague
Real Birmingham 1-2 Monsters
Redwood (left) celebrates his title-clinching goal
Michael Heaney put 2010 champions Real in front before Craig Wisniewski equalised after the break.
Edward Redwood then scored eight minutes from time to give the Monsters their first Double, having also won the CSA England Cup earlier this year.
The Monsters are also the first BritLeague champions to win the competition during the home-and-away fixture format.
Goals
Real Birmingham: Heaney 24'.
Monsters: Wisniewski 58', Redwood 82'.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
BritLeague round-up
Second-from-bottom Ulster increased the gap between them and dead last Leicester Phantoms to four points when they beat Glasgow 1-0, with a 73rd-minute goal from Finnish international Janne Sykkanen.
While Bristol Pirates won 1-0 at home to Newcastle Geordies through a Jamie Ross strike in the 64th minute.
And finally Leeds Lightning won 1-0 at East Anglia Knights with an Adam Stockwell goal five minutes from time.
While Bristol Pirates won 1-0 at home to Newcastle Geordies through a Jamie Ross strike in the 64th minute.
And finally Leeds Lightning won 1-0 at East Anglia Knights with an Adam Stockwell goal five minutes from time.
Catergories:
2011: Round 24,
Bristol Pirates,
East Anglia Knights,
Glasgow FC,
Leeds Lightning,
Newcastle Geordies,
Ulster FC
Rockers snap away losing streak
Manchester Rockers finally learned how to win away from home again when Gary McManus' goal won it for the northerners at FC Nottingham.
Scot McManus took a shot from 10 yards which beat keeper Mehdi Kaziri.
This was the Rockers' first away win since they won 1-0 at Sheffield Strikers on 9 April.
Goals
FC Nottingham: none.
Manchester Rockers: McManus 44'.
Scot McManus took a shot from 10 yards which beat keeper Mehdi Kaziri.
This was the Rockers' first away win since they won 1-0 at Sheffield Strikers on 9 April.
Goals
FC Nottingham: none.
Manchester Rockers: McManus 44'.
Krzysti off the mark
Karlo Krzystofski made a scoring debut on his return to the Dragons as the Welsh outfit sent basement boys Leicester Phantoms deeper into the mire with a 2-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Welsh skipper Krzystofski only took thirteen minutes to find the back to the net, with a trademark shot from outside the area.
James Bruce then doubled the Dragons' lead 12 minutes from time.
Goals
Dragons: Karlo Krzystofski 13', Bruce 78'.
Leicester Phantoms: none.
Welsh skipper Krzystofski only took thirteen minutes to find the back to the net, with a trademark shot from outside the area.
James Bruce then doubled the Dragons' lead 12 minutes from time.
Goals
Dragons: Karlo Krzystofski 13', Bruce 78'.
Leicester Phantoms: none.
Romano brace buries 'Burgh
Andrea Romano's two-goal performance gave London Town a 3-0 win against Edinburgh at Easter Road.
Zvonimir Markovic also played well, setting up one Romano goal and then scoring a goal himself.
This result for Edinburgh means the Scottish side are still 18th in the table, although they remain ten points clear of relegation-threatened Leicester Phantoms.
Goals
Edinburgh: none.
London Town: Romano 5', 80', Markovic 76'.
Zvonimir Markovic also played well, setting up one Romano goal and then scoring a goal himself.
This result for Edinburgh means the Scottish side are still 18th in the table, although they remain ten points clear of relegation-threatened Leicester Phantoms.
Goals
Edinburgh: none.
London Town: Romano 5', 80', Markovic 76'.
Catergories:
2011: Round 24,
Action Sports,
Action Sports MatchDay,
Early Kick-Offs,
Edinburgh FC,
London Town
Friday, 26 August 2011
FCL lose unbeaten home record
Dublin Shamrocks claimed an unlikely victory at FC London with a goal from Austrian Wolfgang Babatz.
This now means that FCL have lost at home for the first time this season.
Goals
FC London: none.
Dublin Shamrocks:Babatz 55'.
This now means that FCL have lost at home for the first time this season.
Goals
FC London: none.
Dublin Shamrocks:Babatz 55'.
Catergories:
2011: Round 24,
BritLeague Friday Night Football,
Dublin Shamrocks,
FC London,
TOTV
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Town show Phantoms little mercy
Daniel Perry celebrates as Town steamroller Phantoms
Leicester Phantoms 0-6 London Town
Ruthless London Town gave sorry Leicester Phantoms a harsh lesson as the visitors left the Leicester Stadium 6-0 winners.
Phantoms remain bottom of the BritLeague table, and are everyone's favourites for relegation, although Ulster FC are only one point above them.
Goals
Leicester Phantoms: none.
London Town: Carey 5', 87', Perry 26', Markovic 48', Quique 77', Hessler 89'.
Redwood breaks duck at last
Redwood shows his joy and relief
Manchester Rockers 0-1 Monsters
Edward Redwood finally ended his goal drought with as Monsters beat Manchester Rockers 1-0.
The England striker, who had not found the back of the net since his country's 3-1 win over Wales in June, got the ball on the edge of the box whilst his back was facing goal, turned and then beat keeper Edward Wilson.
Rockers continue to slip and slide, having only won one match in ten, falling from sixth to thirteenth.
Goals
Manchester Rockers: none.
Monsters: Redwood 64'.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Dragons sign Karlo Krzystofski on season-long loan
The Dragons have secured the loan signing of Barcelona Bullfighters striker Karlo Krzystofski until the end of the season.
Wales captain Krzystofski, 25, will begin a second spell with the club he started his career with and said he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm back home," declared Krzystofski. "I've always wanted to come back here one day and now here I am."
Krzystofski started his career with the then-Cardiff Crew in 2001 as a 15-year-old - still to this day the youngest player ever to play in the BritLeague - and stayed there six more years before in 2007, going to London United, then FC London, then East Anglia Knights and then to Barcelona Bullfighters just last year.
The Welsh superstar, sporting newly dyed red hair which matches the colour of the Dragons' shirt, hopes he can stay at the Dragons beyond the end of the season.
"I'd like to stay here. We're currently 10th in the BritLeague, and I'm here to make sure we finish in the top ten, after battling relegation early doors in the season.
"I've played in Barcelona, I've won European trophies, but for me, nothing beats playing here with the Dragons."
Wales captain Krzystofski, 25, will begin a second spell with the club he started his career with and said he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm back home," declared Krzystofski. "I've always wanted to come back here one day and now here I am."
Krzystofski started his career with the then-Cardiff Crew in 2001 as a 15-year-old - still to this day the youngest player ever to play in the BritLeague - and stayed there six more years before in 2007, going to London United, then FC London, then East Anglia Knights and then to Barcelona Bullfighters just last year.
The Welsh superstar, sporting newly dyed red hair which matches the colour of the Dragons' shirt, hopes he can stay at the Dragons beyond the end of the season.
"I'd like to stay here. We're currently 10th in the BritLeague, and I'm here to make sure we finish in the top ten, after battling relegation early doors in the season.
"I've played in Barcelona, I've won European trophies, but for me, nothing beats playing here with the Dragons."
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Shocker as Rockers beat Town
Mid-table Manchester Rockers ripped up the form book when claimed a surprising 1-0 victory over title-chasing London Town.
Manchester's new French striker Christophe Minardi, a signing from AS Essonne, scored his first goal as time ran out.
Town had dominated most of the play, but great defending plus the goalkeeping of Ed Wilson had served the Rockers well.
And the home side got their reward when Juanpa allowed Minardi space to run into and the Gallic hitman beat Marco Schuipers unchallenged.
Goals
Manchester Rockers: Minardi 89'.
London Town: none.
Manchester's new French striker Christophe Minardi, a signing from AS Essonne, scored his first goal as time ran out.
Town had dominated most of the play, but great defending plus the goalkeeping of Ed Wilson had served the Rockers well.
And the home side got their reward when Juanpa allowed Minardi space to run into and the Gallic hitman beat Marco Schuipers unchallenged.
Goals
Manchester Rockers: Minardi 89'.
London Town: none.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Monsters defeat London Utd to win CSA England Cup
Goals from Craig Wisniewski and Edward Redwood gave Monsters FC the victory in the CSA England Cup Final, beating London United 2-1.
After a slow start to the game, the deadlock was broken after 12 minutes when Scot Wisniewski traded passes with strike partner Redwood, playing in an unfamiliar out and out striker role, before firing into the net on the 'D' of the penalty area.
United had a few chances of their own - Craig CraiCo hitting the bar with a free-kick, and John Macdonald's header from a corner slapped away by Monsters keeper Igor Kuljman - but it was Monsters who dominated most of the play.
At the break it stayed 1-0 to the Monsters. United manager Bobby Hutchinson must have said something to his players at half-time, as from the restart, the Men in Black looked the more dominant team.
And it took only four minutes for them to equalise. Craico playing a "Hollywood" through ball to Danny Defranco, who crossed for Carlos Torres Pizarro, who hit it first time and bulged the onion bag with Kuljman all ends beaten.
London United dominated the next ten minutes, with chances by Rodrigo Santos, Ergun Taykin and CraiCo all required good saves from Kuljman.
But Monsters suddenly took control of the match, when an elegant pass from Darren Watkinson found Wisniewski, who then crossed for England hitman Redwood, who headed the ball past a hapless Simon Herding to make it 2-1.
United never recovered from that goal, despite the introduction of speedy wingers Ian Parker and Bobby Bricke later on, and the Monsters held on for the victory.
Subs not used: Knott, Haynes, McGrady, Szymanowski, Davies.
Goal: Torres Pizarro 50.
Monsters: Kuljman; Crandall, Bentley, Broskovic, Schweitzer; Matsson, Watkinson, Riko (Pancu 65), Morgan (Bernhardt 80); Wisniewski; Redwood.
Subs not used: Miller, Freeman, Flansky, Noriega, Mykendaal.
Goals: Wisniewski 12, Redwood 64.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
CSA ECL: Carey magic stuns Monsters
John Carey's wonder goal gave London Town a 1-0 advantage in the first leg of the European Champions League semi-final at Monsters Park.
Carey dribbled many Monsters' defenders before chipping keeper Igor Kuljman.
The winner of the tie will play the winner of the Madrid Magic-Barcelona Bullfighters clash in the final on Saturday 28th May 2011.
Carey dribbled many Monsters' defenders before chipping keeper Igor Kuljman.
The winner of the tie will play the winner of the Madrid Magic-Barcelona Bullfighters clash in the final on Saturday 28th May 2011.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Monsters see off Nottingham to reach CSA England Cup Final
Goals from Edward Redwood and Craig Wisniewski were enough for the Monsters to beat FC Nottingham 2-0 in the CSA England Cup semi-final at the Vodafone Stadium, and will return to the ground on 14th May to face London United in the final.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
London United reach CSA England Cup Final
A solitary goal from Ergun Taykin helped London United was enough to beat FC London 1-0 and send the Black and Red through to the CSA England Cup Final.
German Taykin found himself clear after a through ball England superstar Craig Craico. Taykin rounded FCL keeper Christian Watson, and made no mistake in firing home.
German Taykin found himself clear after a through ball England superstar Craig Craico. Taykin rounded FCL keeper Christian Watson, and made no mistake in firing home.
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