Heroes across the park this season.

A stuttering start saw OTFC 2s on a short but powerful cup run – the end of which may have been our greatest asset for the season – the ability to concentrate on the league whilst using the cup games to find our feet.

By mid-December the annual OTFC dream remained just that, a dream, but, miraculously, OTFC 2s continued unbeaten in the league. By the official halfway point in the season we had incurred just one loss against our league opponents, alas remained pretty lowly in the table due to the number of draws we had notched up (6 in total). We needed to start winning… and win we did – in spectacular style – most notably an 8-1 win against Brent, a 5-0 win against Brent (reverse fixture), 4-2 against Woking and 4-1 against league winners Old Sedcopians. Suddenly the table opened up; were the perennial underachievers finally going to rock the relegation boat?

The OTFC 2s second half of the season push saw us climb into the unfamiliar and heady heights of a promotion battle, yes we were reliant on other results, but we did everything right, specifically our 8-1 and 4-1 wins saw us take a mediocre goal difference into the best in the league, week by week we climbed… 6th came 5th, came 3rd, came 2nd, yes, suddenly we were 2nd and in pole position for promotion… c’mon the Purps!

NO! Actually come on the welsh… our promotional aspirations lay with London Welsh II and their ability to beat Old Suttonians V. Nail biting wait over the FA Fulltime Mobile App… beer in hand ready for either celebration or sorrow.

Whatever the outcome, quite frankly the finest season of football, camaraderie and performance the current crop of OTFC 2s have seen. Our secret? Nothing too exciting… A stable base of players from last season bolstered by five or six new players. A squad held together by a fantastic team spirit, a regular core and a number of players that want to play for and with each other. Defiant in defence, forthcoming in attack.

And the end result… the welsh did us proud, PROMOTION!! Apparently dreams do come true afterall…


As with any great season – below are this year’s registered player’s ratings:

Name - Dicky Bostelmann
Games - 23
Goals - 0
Assists - 3
MOTM - 0
Fines - 85
Rating - 10
Captain colossus enjoyed another solid season, his on field solidarity eclipsed only by his staunch commitment to admin excellence. RB CB or barking orders from the sideline, such a successful season would have been impossible without Dicky's firm hand on the tiller. Rumour has it he's already started planning for the 2034/35 season.
Name - Will Forsyth
Games - 18
Goals - 0
Assists - 4
MOTM - 0
Fines - 75
Rating - 10
Vice Skip… Now over his injury woes from the 2014/15 season (it turns out regular mid-season holidays suit Will)… a stalwart in the centre of midfield, to be found playing “off the striker”. The playmaker from the front, inspiring all by spreading his incisive passing game for all around to thrive from.
Name - Luke Peake
Games - 23
Goals - 4
Assists - 1
MOTM - 1
Fines - 58
Rating - 10
Made the move from the comfort of defence into midfield, now a proven asset in the holding role, has played more matches for the 2s than any other player. Often found refusing to shake oppo hands and “having a rant” – all part of the intelligent Luke Peake gamesmanship package.
Name - Joe Sammarco
Games - 20
Goals - 6
Assists - 9
MOTM - 1
Fines - 61
Rating - 10
New recruit for the 2015/16 season. With a mysteriously effective lumbering stride, protects the ball with comfort, has a turn of pace when required. Scores goals of the spectacular variety… 6 goals from outside the area, 0 from within. Second highest number of assists in the team. 2015/16 joint Fresher of the Season
Name - Colin Avery
Games - 18
Goals - 7
Assists - 15
MOTM - 0
Fines - 87
Rating - 10
Long term holder of the number 7 shirt, to be seen parading the left flank even when asked to fill in as striker. More assists than anyone else in the club and scores goals. Most importantly has a ratio of 18 nutmegs per game (mostly against his team mates). Don’t tell him because we’ll never hear the end of it… 2015/16 Player of the Season
Name - Dave Bettis
Games - 18
Goals - 8
Assists - 9
MOTM - 1
Fines - 81
Rating - 10
Striker personified... 2015/16 Season Golden Boot. Following a swift start to the season with numerous goals Dave filled his short barren patch by turning to assistor (9 over the season). Goals then found him again finishing with 17 goals and assists for the season. Rarely a foot wrong or a hair out of place.
Name - James Kimber
Games - 18
Goals - 2
Assists - 0
MOTM - 1
Fines - 77
Rating - 10
Competition for places has seen James play a number of roles within the 2s this season, his most impressive games though have been from central defence. Starting the season in the “Xabi Alonso” role, with his distribution from the foot of the midfield and moving into a John Stones style CB. An ever-present source of encouragement whilst taking the social elements of 2s life very seriously.
Name - Kuldeep Grewal
Games - 17
Goals - 0
Assists - 2
MOTM - 4
Fines - 73
Rating - 10
“Kuldeep has left the Kuldeep role” read the early season headlines. With Luke moving forward into midfield Kuldeep’s request to anchor the team came at a timely moment. It is not usual for centre backs to win MOTM, Kuldeep has managed this feat no less than four times, in fact he has been MOTM more than any other player, but mostly prides himself on his “footballer’s haicut”. The complete player and now committed to the 2s for next season.
Name - Andy Dickenson
Games - 16
Goals - 1
Assists - 0
MOTM - 1
Fines - 49
Rating - 10
Andy arrived for the final game of the season without a hangover. Prior to this, his endless energy and ability on the ball could not have been questioned. Andy also added to the OTFC 2s goal tally this season. Andy was a contender for player of the season last year and despite being pipped to the post, he has continued this form throughout the 2015/16 season.
Name - Charlie Mortimer
Games - 16
Goals - 9
Assists - 6
MOTM - 3
Fines - 35
Rating - 10
New recruit for the 2015/16 season having played 2 games last year for the 3s. Charlie has proven to be the ultimate utility player. 9 goals 6 assists tells a story for a player with a Dennis Bergkamp style phobia of travel. CM, RB, CB, RW, S. Charlie has scored, assisted, headed and bullied the oppo from every position he has played this year. Also... as it turns out a great writer 2015/16 Golden Pen
Name - Tom Nichols
Games - 16
Goals - 2
Assists - 1
MOTM - 1
Fines - 105
Rating - 10
Where to start with Tom. Let’s talk cash… Tom is broke, Tom averages a £7 match fee with a £5 fines fee. Tom has been the most committed player to our social side this year (specifically funding it). On the field Tom can be found prowling the wings, adding a defensive side to his game this season whilst adding to our goal tally at the same time. 2015/16 Andy Widera Prize Winner
Name - Paul Mackay-Thomas
Games - 15
Goals - 7
Assists - 4
MOTM - 1
Fines - 42
Rating - 10
Tommo was pipped at the post for the golden boot this season. Lethal in front of goal relentless work-rate holds the ball, remains very close to the line in the referee’s eyes, might be the only striker in the league that fouls the defence more than he is fouled himself.
Name - Alistair Mitchell
Games - 15
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 3
Fines - 52
Rating - 10
Ironman, fit, relentless… Mitch’s three MOTM awards come off the back of his no-nonsense approach to football, quick in attack, quicker to defend; a winger’s nightmare. The Rory Delap of the OTFC 2s, a mighty throw born out of hours in the gym and a diet of protein shakes.
Name - Thomas Hobbs
Games - 13
Goals - 0
Assists - 1
MOTM - 0
Fines - 44
Rating - 10
Hobbs has learnt the 11 aside game on the job this season. A dab hand between the smaller 5 aside sticks, moved up to the big man’s game this season. Hobbs commands his area. As much a shot stopper as a 1 on 1 expert, Hobbs has bought us a number of points this year we otherwise would have squandered. 2015/16 joint Fresher of the Season
Name - Paul Cotterell
Games - 11
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 25
Rating - 10
TALK! Cottee a long time servant of our mighty club no longer available with the regularity of times gone by. That said in times of need and at crucial points of this season Cottee has kept between the posts with his unnerving shouts of “TALK”, “CHAT” and “HASSLE”. In his spare time Cottee can be found driving in circles around Catford.
Name - Gary Brant
Games - 10
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 23
Rating - 10
Gary moved in two ways this season… firstly from wing to wing back and secondly away from the area. Throughout the first half of our season, Gary coined the left back position sitting behind Colin and prowling the defensive line. Alas his move away from the East Molesely area has meant the second half of the season has been sparse.
Name - John Edwards
Games - 10
Goals - 7
Assists - 0
MOTM - 1
Fines - 38
Rating - 10
Poacher extraordinaire. Goal machine. Club stalwart, found pacing and straining at the leash in the oppo box, restricted this season by wedding plans, that said stats show an impressive return of seven goals in 10 games including the perfect hat-trick against arch rivals Wokes.
Name - Matt Burns-Peake
Games - 8
Goals - 2
Assists - 2
MOTM - 1
Fines - 27
Rating - 10
Another huge fan of a footballer’s haircut. Gifted, skilful, great turn of pace – alas only available from late-January. Matt comes with an impact and has creativity in his game, a welcome addition back into the OTFC 2s fold for the short period we have him.
Name - Jason Richardson
Games - 6
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 29
Rating - 10
Fast, skilful, solid right footed left back, plays the Ashley Cole role pounding up and down the wing. Hasn’t mustered as many games as years gone by due to work commitments, the sooner he resigns the better we say!
Name - Jon Hickman
Games - 5
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 8
Rating - 10
New recruit for the 2015/16 season. 5 games under his belt, holds the ball, thoughtful, unselfish winger… great debut season with promise for the future within the OTFC club bring on 2016/17.
Name - Jamie Rossi
Games - 5
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 1
Fines - 19
Rating - 10
New recruit for the 2015/16 season. 5 games played, brought in as FB can also play the more attacking role as wing, solid decision maker. Player with much promise for the OTFC club, regular trainee.
Name - Alex Hollamby
Games - 4
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 10
Rating - 10
Solid defensive midfielder, has goals in his locker, endless tackler, ball distributor, rarely gives the ball away, rarely plays 90 mins due to a troublesome hamstring. Side-lined for much of this season due to said hamstring. We welcome the return of Alex next season fully fit and firing on all hamstrings.
Name - Ali Hook
Games - 3
Goals - 1
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 8
Rating - 10
Unfortunately also a player side-lined by injury this season, winger. Momentous effort to score our winning goal in the thrilling 5-4 cup win early on in our season during a rare OTFC cup run.