Top ten players of all-time

Charlie Oakley | 27 January, 2011

Just finished my lunch break and had a really heated conversation with members of the footie team. The topic I hear you ask – football top tens. Of all the football top tens that we discussed, the one which caused the most heated debate was ‘Top ten players of all time’.

Salam and Sam, thought that the top ten players should be people that have played since we were born. I argued that this wouldn’t make them ‘all time’! So for the sake of the record and to annoy Salam and Sam, here is my ‘official’ top ten player’s of all-time (in no particular order):

1. George Best (legend on and off the pitch)

2. Eric Cantona (inspirational and creative)

3. Bobby Charlton (gets an entry despite the comb over – what was he thinking?)

4. Johan Cruyff (the ‘total football’ master)

5. Just Fontaine (can’t argue with 13 goals in a world cup!)

6. Diego Maradona (genius – even with the hand of God stuff)

7. Pele (the one and only!)

8. Ronaldo (Luis Nazario – not Christiano!)

9. Marco Van Basten (brilliantly consistent)

10. Zinedine Zidane (football god – despite the lapse)

My top ten was compiled with the benefit of years of watching ‘Greatest ever..’ footballing videos and DVDs, plus reading lots of stats and biographies on the players. I hate to admit it, but my dad has also played a big part in educating me on the best players of all time (he claims that he wasn’t born when Just Fontaine played football, but I’m not so sure!).

Laters … Charlie

Best wishes for a swift recovery

Charlie Oakley |

A short blog to wish BHFC’s Christopher Coggins a speedy recovery following his injury at the hands of Mile End Academy. Myself and the rest of the lads are all furious about the tackle and hope that the Mile End player responsible receives a ban for his challenge.

Bridgewood High 2–2 Mile End Academy

Timothy Houghton-Smith |

Timothy Houghton-Smith reporting after a shocking game against Mile End Academy.

The Bridgewood High FC Squad is now injury-ridden in the aftermath of a highly charged fixture against arch-rivals Mile End Academy.

Prior to the match, Mile End had received an official warning from the London Schools Football Association in relation to their poor disciplinary record. However, within a few minutes of the whistle it was apparent that the warning had fallen on deaf ears.

The first half was a scrappy affair with the run of play being continually halted due to fouls being committed. Conceding a poor goal just before half-time, away-side Bridgewood looked relieved when the referee blew his whistle, signalling the end of a ferocious first half.

Bridgewood changed their tactics in the second half, opting to play Total Football. The new style of play worked well for the first fifteen minutes, with Mile End failing to put in a single bone-crunching tackle. Emboldened by their domination in possession, Bridgewood created several chances in the space of just a few minutes. This renewed vigour was soon rewarded when a sensational move between Angelo Del Paggio, Salam Chalabi and George Lucas produced a breathtaking equaliser.

Ten minutes later, Timothy Houghton-Smith charged up the wing and skilfully slotted the ball to Dougie Butt. Butt smashed the ball into the back of the net to give Bridgewood the lead, much to the disgust of the Mile End players.

After the restart, a scything tackle on Christopher Coggins just outside the penalty area saw him collapse and writhe in agony. Coggins was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital, where it was confirmed that he had a broken tibia. Shaken by their teammate’s injury, Bridgewood never fully recovered and with twenty minutes of the game to go, their appetite for competing was lost. Five minutes after the injury, Mile End drew level and only a heroic display at the back by Charlie Oakley and Sam Smith saved Bridgewood from suffering a runaway defeat.

League Tension

Charlie Oakley | 24 January, 2011

Things are getting pretty tense in the league at the moment. After the dire start to the season, the prospect of gaining promotion or getting through the first rounds of the cup seemed impossible. A couple of months and a few good results later and we’re definitely in with a shout (albeit a slim one). Now it seems as if the expectations of the entire school is resting on our shoulders! Just hope that we don’t let everyone down …

Amazing Football Facts

Charlie Oakley | 20 January, 2011

My blog has been a bit self-absorbed lately. So as a thank you for reading about my life, I scrutinised every footie book that I own to bring you a list of bizarre football facts to astound your mates. Enjoy … C

1. When Fernando d’Ercoli (team Pianta) was given a red card in a game, he became so mad that he snatched the card from the referee and ate it.

2. When Mike Bagley (of Bristol) was written up for swearing, he got so mad at the referee that he took his notebook and ripped out the page, and ate it!

3. In 1950 India withdrew form the World Cup because FIFA refused to let their team play barefoot.

4. In 1998 English referee Martin Sylvester sent himself off after punching a player during a game in the Andover and District Sunday League.

Exam Success!

Charlie Oakley | 17 January, 2011

Just got my mock exam results and I’m well pleased! I passed all of my subjects with B and C grades and was only a few marks off an A in two subjects. My form tutor, Mr Reeves, thinks that I can get A or A* grades in a lot of subjects if I really knuckle down. I’ve never really considered myself a swot, but it feels kinda nice to do well, especially as I didn’t prepare too well.

I have to admit that I don’t fancy burning the midnight oil and cramming when it comes to the real exams. Nope, I’m going to take the same approach that I use in boxing from now on and plan my revision like a physical training regime. With my body and mind in tip top condition there will be no stopping me!!

Anyway, gotta go.

C

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