Season 2006/2007

Minor Division 5 (South)

Champions: Old Lyonians 4XI
Runners-up: Carshalton 7th

Relegated: Polytechnic 7th and Old Wilsonians 7th

Saturdays 2-0 defeat of Polytechnic, Carshalton’s failure to score enough goals and HSBC surprise defeat to Old Actonians saw the Old Lyonian 4th eleven crowned champions of Division 5 South.

A massive achievement and the first piece of silverware for the Lyonian 4th eleven in its 105 year history. I am proud of everyone who has contributed to our success, including the other elevens who have sacrificed their ambitions to allow us to continue on our march to the title. With 4 games to go it looked as though the 4th team were well out of it. But, against the odds, we won our final 4 games and saw our rivals choke. Results certainly were kind to us. I look forward to next season with real relish as we pit our wits in the higher division.

Season 2006/2007

Minor Division 5 (South)

Champions: Old Lyonians 4XI
Runners-up: Carshalton 7th

Relegated: Polytechnic 7th and Old Wilsonians 7th


The Old Lyonian 4th eleven had its most successful year in recent seasons, and possibly in the history of the 4th eleven.

The previous season’s promotion challenge had fallen away under the weight of a heavy pile up of fixtures due to a couple of successful cup runs. Cup runs were not to be an issue in the 2007/2008 season. Some very weak early performances saw first round exits in the old boys, AFA and league cups.

Early league form was also indifferent. Good performances in wins against Kew (4-2) and Polytechnic (4-1) were tempered by draws with Actonians and Polytechnic in the return game. The return league fixture, away to Kew on 28 October, produced possibly the most inept performance by an Old Lyonian side resulting in a 3-6 loss to an average side.

Despite the indifference before Christmas the 4th team did pick up a valuable point in an away 0-0 draw against run away league leaders HSBC. Keeper, Laurie Cawley, outstanding on the day.

A dramatic change in form took place after the Christmas break. The powerful Paul Knockles was brought in at right back, the converted striker, Chris Tucker started to thrive on the left wing leaving sole striker, Freddie Lloyd, doing what he does best – upsetting opposition centre backs.

The team had a nice balance with Bob Assou applying skill down the right with James Cunnington and Ian Dennison kicking hell out of anything that moved in the centre of the park. Tony Gaymer commanded at centre back with Jamestin Lockerbie, the most improved player, becoming undroppable at left back. The one player who made the greatest difference was the bulldozing Glen Garner. Garner took teams on single handedly and 15 goals in his first 4 games for the club speaks for its self.

5 consecutive league wins from January to March, only the weather stopping more victories, fired the 4’s up the table. This included 6-0 and 7-3 away wins at Lloyds and Actonians respectively.

HSBC turned up at the ‘View’ with an unbeaten league record. They were lucky to leave losing only 4-3. Towards the end of the season our form wobbled with double header draws against Carshalton and losses against a sprightly Merton side.

4 games to go and the 4th team looked they had blown it. 4 wins would put pressure on leaders HSBC and Carshalton but other results had to go the Lyonian way.

Further bad news when injury ruled star man Garner out for the remainder of the season. The rest of the team had to step up to the mark.

Wins against Wilsonians, Old Westminster Citizens and Lloyds Bank (poetically Freddie Lloyd scoring all 4 in the 4-0 win) set up the final Saturday of the season on a knife edge.

The Lyons had the disadvantage of an early kick off and a number of players unavailable. With 15 minutes left of the game against an already relegated Polytechnic the score was locked at 0-0. Mercurial Frenchman, Gilluiame, scored from 25 yards and Bob Assou slotted home for a 2-0 win.

The 4th team management duo of Ian Dennison and Marcin Zieleniewski were left sweating on other results. News came through of an unlikely victory by Actonians against HSBC and the 4th team won the division 5 south on goal difference. Some months later and the celebrations have only begun to subside.

Bob Assou picked up player of the season with 10 goals in 19 games, with honourable mentions for Lloyd (16 goals in 13 games), Lockerbie (15 games), Cunnington (17 games) and Garner (19 goals in 10 games).
In a hard year for the club the 4’s provided some much deserved silverware. The other elevens admirably put their own ambitions behind those of the 4’s and Ian Dennison had his first success in 10 years playing for the club.