Raith Rovers
Youth Team
Its cold here on the south coast of england, the ferry leaves daily for the sunnier climates of France and i am stuck here,
having signed a contract the night before with Mr Rupert Lowe, Chairman of Southampton.
Its apparantly summer here, it is July after all. I am welcomed at the front desk by the PR delegation from the club who
direct me to the press conference in the media room at St mary's.
I sit down next to Rupert and shake his hand for the flashing cameras and busy reporters on their mobiles. The media frenzy
calms itself down for a moment and the chairman speaks. " This morning is the beginning of a new dawn here at St. mary's,
the new stadium is complete, the new manager is here and the new season will shortly be upon us, its a good time to be
involved with Southampton" he beams.
"Mr Parker?" the reporters voice calls "Whats your immediate plans now that you are here?" he calls. I sip some water from
the glass and look up, "My plans are simple, keep southampton up, build my own team and go from there, first on the agenda,
of course is to meet my players."
"Do you have any players you are looking to bring in?" the voice calls again.
"Yes, i have a short list of possible targets but the budget is tight here, what with the stadium being built and all.
I will talk with my chairman, and when we do make a move, you will be the first to know, trust me" i say, looking around.
After the initial welcoming has passed, i move to the training ground and meet the players who are back for pre-season. I sit
and talk with my team, getting to know my players and then send them off with Garry Pendrey, my assistant to warm up for the
morning session.
While they are warming up, i sit and study the player profiles i have and drink coffee. Damn its cold here.
GK's
Paul Jones- 34.
Scott Bevan - 21
Neil Moss - 25
Chris Sharpe - 18
Defenders
Rory Delap - 25 - SW/D/M/FRC
Wayne Bridge - 20 - D/DML
Paul Williams - 28- SW/D/DMC
Claus Lundekvam - 27 - DC
Jason Dodd - 28 - SW/DRC
Gary Monk - 20 - DC
Frank Benali - 30 - DLC
Shifty Petrescu - 29 - D/DMR
Midfielders
Chris Marsden - 27 - DMC
Mark Draper - 29 - MC
Matthew Oakley - 23 - MC
Tahar El Khalej - 32 - D/DMC
Paul Telfer - 28 - DMRC
Kevin Gibbens - 21 - DMC
Attacking Midfield
Jo Tessem - 27 - AMRC
Matthew Le Tissier - 31 - AM/FC
Stuart Ripley - 29 - AMR
Imants Bleidilis - 25 - AMR
Paul Murray - 25 - AMC
Marian Pahars - 25 - FRLC
Kevin Davies - 25 - FRC
Anders Svensson - 26 - AMRLC
Forwards
Augustin Delgado - 25 - SC
James Beattie - 22 - SC
Jay Lucas - 16 - SC
I felt pretty short of options up front, especially since Lucas was only 16 but already had some promising trademarks that
made me feel he was there if i needed another striker. I got on the blower to my scouts and asked them to look around for an
available player at a cheap price. I only had £5.5M to spend and needed to use it wisely.
I decided to try and shrink my wagebill and talked to Garry Pendrey about the youth players and who should stay and who should
go.
Players Released on 15.07.01
Sam Carter
Matthew Rosier
Craig Fullam
Jacinto
Ryan Ashford
Richard Jones
Matthew Mills
Garry Monk was put on the transfer list as a free player also to try and spare up some needed funds for strengthening
The first week after that was just about building fitness and looking at players that could be added to my squad for the
coming season. My scouts came back with a few options that were looked into.
21.07.01
Bojan Djordjic arrives on a free transfer and Lee Borman arrives from Brigg Town for £100k. A friendly against FC Utrecht is
arranged for the 28th.
Before the week has ended, Billy McKinlay DMC (31), Giannis Margaritis GK (20), Steven Walker MC (26) and Gareth Buckley DMR (18)
arrive and add depth to my squad. A young brazilian forward called Ricardo (19) is also added depending on a work permit.
The game against Utrecht soon arrives, my team have been put through their paces and a formation has been worked out that will
allow me to defend and attack with pace and precision. All the players are looking fit and sharp and can't wait for the season
to begin. Teddy Holst MC (19) and Mosiah Blake SC (18) are added to the youth setup. Jay Lucas and Scott Mcdonald are called up
to the Australia under 21 side for their forthcomming matches along with Goalie Chris Sharpe.
The friendly starts with my players all looking to impress and get a place in the opening game of the season, the team lines up as
follows.
GK Jones
DR Petrescu
DL Bridge
DC Williams
DC Lundekvam
MC Oakley
MR Tessem
MC Telfer
AMC Svensson
SC Beattie
ML Pahars
Subs Borman, Murray, Ripley, Walker, Tahar, Delap, Margaritis, Dodd and Draper
The first half was a tight game with Beattie grabbing the first goal with a great poachers goal from a rebound.
1-0 Southampton
Just before the interval, Pahars was bundled in the box and Telfer stepped up and made it 2-0 from the spot.
A great start for me personally as the whistle went for half time. There was not much i could say at half time to the
players, they were buzzing and looking sharp, taking their chances well and playing well defensively.
The second half started in the same way, James Beattie got his second on 54 minutes with a good low shot from 18 yards and
the grabbed his hat-trick on 72 with a good header from a Paul Telfer cross. Utrecht pulled one back on 79 minutes with a goal from
Dombi, thrashing it home from inside the box before Beattie grabbed his fourth goal on 86 minutes with the help of another Telfer cross
5-1 at full time was just the start i wanted and the first 11 had picked itself basically for the opener against Bolton.
Beattie was the deserved man of the match and had this to say after the game.
"it was a great team effort, the gaffer has brought in fresh tactics and ideas in training and it shows on the pitch. I hope that the goals
today are the first of many this season from me."
After the game, i spoke to the local papers and TV.
"Mr Parker, that was a fantastic first match in charge, how do you feel your boys played today?"
"Well, everyone played well, Beattie took his four goals superbly well and the boys in the midfield backed him up with class and determination, a great game"
"Has this changed your expectations for the coming season?"
"No, one game can't determine the season, it will be hard, 38 games to come"
There was a great atmosphere at the club that week, leading upto the first game. The squad was boosted by the news that Ricardo had obtained a work permit.
Garry Monk transferred to brighton on a free transfer.
The night before the season started, the players were rocked by the news of Shifty Petrescu's injury.
Rory Delap was brought in to cover at rightback other than that, the same first eleven were starting against Bolton.
having signed a contract the night before with Mr Rupert Lowe, Chairman of Southampton.
Its apparantly summer here, it is July after all. I am welcomed at the front desk by the PR delegation from the club who
direct me to the press conference in the media room at St mary's.
I sit down next to Rupert and shake his hand for the flashing cameras and busy reporters on their mobiles. The media frenzy
calms itself down for a moment and the chairman speaks. " This morning is the beginning of a new dawn here at St. mary's,
the new stadium is complete, the new manager is here and the new season will shortly be upon us, its a good time to be
involved with Southampton" he beams.
"Mr Parker?" the reporters voice calls "Whats your immediate plans now that you are here?" he calls. I sip some water from
the glass and look up, "My plans are simple, keep southampton up, build my own team and go from there, first on the agenda,
of course is to meet my players."
"Do you have any players you are looking to bring in?" the voice calls again.
"Yes, i have a short list of possible targets but the budget is tight here, what with the stadium being built and all.
I will talk with my chairman, and when we do make a move, you will be the first to know, trust me" i say, looking around.
After the initial welcoming has passed, i move to the training ground and meet the players who are back for pre-season. I sit
and talk with my team, getting to know my players and then send them off with Garry Pendrey, my assistant to warm up for the
morning session.
While they are warming up, i sit and study the player profiles i have and drink coffee. Damn its cold here.
GK's
Paul Jones- 34.
Scott Bevan - 21
Neil Moss - 25
Chris Sharpe - 18
Defenders
Rory Delap - 25 - SW/D/M/FRC
Wayne Bridge - 20 - D/DML
Paul Williams - 28- SW/D/DMC
Claus Lundekvam - 27 - DC
Jason Dodd - 28 - SW/DRC
Gary Monk - 20 - DC
Frank Benali - 30 - DLC
Shifty Petrescu - 29 - D/DMR
Midfielders
Chris Marsden - 27 - DMC
Mark Draper - 29 - MC
Matthew Oakley - 23 - MC
Tahar El Khalej - 32 - D/DMC
Paul Telfer - 28 - DMRC
Kevin Gibbens - 21 - DMC
Attacking Midfield
Jo Tessem - 27 - AMRC
Matthew Le Tissier - 31 - AM/FC
Stuart Ripley - 29 - AMR
Imants Bleidilis - 25 - AMR
Paul Murray - 25 - AMC
Marian Pahars - 25 - FRLC
Kevin Davies - 25 - FRC
Anders Svensson - 26 - AMRLC
Forwards
Augustin Delgado - 25 - SC
James Beattie - 22 - SC
Jay Lucas - 16 - SC
I felt pretty short of options up front, especially since Lucas was only 16 but already had some promising trademarks that
made me feel he was there if i needed another striker. I got on the blower to my scouts and asked them to look around for an
available player at a cheap price. I only had £5.5M to spend and needed to use it wisely.
I decided to try and shrink my wagebill and talked to Garry Pendrey about the youth players and who should stay and who should
go.
Players Released on 15.07.01
Sam Carter
Matthew Rosier
Craig Fullam
Jacinto
Ryan Ashford
Richard Jones
Matthew Mills
Garry Monk was put on the transfer list as a free player also to try and spare up some needed funds for strengthening
The first week after that was just about building fitness and looking at players that could be added to my squad for the
coming season. My scouts came back with a few options that were looked into.
21.07.01
Bojan Djordjic arrives on a free transfer and Lee Borman arrives from Brigg Town for £100k. A friendly against FC Utrecht is
arranged for the 28th.
Before the week has ended, Billy McKinlay DMC (31), Giannis Margaritis GK (20), Steven Walker MC (26) and Gareth Buckley DMR (18)
arrive and add depth to my squad. A young brazilian forward called Ricardo (19) is also added depending on a work permit.
The game against Utrecht soon arrives, my team have been put through their paces and a formation has been worked out that will
allow me to defend and attack with pace and precision. All the players are looking fit and sharp and can't wait for the season
to begin. Teddy Holst MC (19) and Mosiah Blake SC (18) are added to the youth setup. Jay Lucas and Scott Mcdonald are called up
to the Australia under 21 side for their forthcomming matches along with Goalie Chris Sharpe.
The friendly starts with my players all looking to impress and get a place in the opening game of the season, the team lines up as
follows.
GK Jones
DR Petrescu
DL Bridge
DC Williams
DC Lundekvam
MC Oakley
MR Tessem
MC Telfer
AMC Svensson
SC Beattie
ML Pahars
Subs Borman, Murray, Ripley, Walker, Tahar, Delap, Margaritis, Dodd and Draper
The first half was a tight game with Beattie grabbing the first goal with a great poachers goal from a rebound.
1-0 Southampton
Just before the interval, Pahars was bundled in the box and Telfer stepped up and made it 2-0 from the spot.
A great start for me personally as the whistle went for half time. There was not much i could say at half time to the
players, they were buzzing and looking sharp, taking their chances well and playing well defensively.
The second half started in the same way, James Beattie got his second on 54 minutes with a good low shot from 18 yards and
the grabbed his hat-trick on 72 with a good header from a Paul Telfer cross. Utrecht pulled one back on 79 minutes with a goal from
Dombi, thrashing it home from inside the box before Beattie grabbed his fourth goal on 86 minutes with the help of another Telfer cross
5-1 at full time was just the start i wanted and the first 11 had picked itself basically for the opener against Bolton.
Beattie was the deserved man of the match and had this to say after the game.
"it was a great team effort, the gaffer has brought in fresh tactics and ideas in training and it shows on the pitch. I hope that the goals
today are the first of many this season from me."
After the game, i spoke to the local papers and TV.
"Mr Parker, that was a fantastic first match in charge, how do you feel your boys played today?"
"Well, everyone played well, Beattie took his four goals superbly well and the boys in the midfield backed him up with class and determination, a great game"
"Has this changed your expectations for the coming season?"
"No, one game can't determine the season, it will be hard, 38 games to come"
There was a great atmosphere at the club that week, leading upto the first game. The squad was boosted by the news that Ricardo had obtained a work permit.
Garry Monk transferred to brighton on a free transfer.
The night before the season started, the players were rocked by the news of Shifty Petrescu's injury.
Rory Delap was brought in to cover at rightback other than that, the same first eleven were starting against Bolton.
