Friday, August 14, 2009

End of Season Awards Night

A selection of the best Almaty players attended the glitzy Astro Leagues Awards night last night. It was a black-tie affair and the red carpet was rolled out.


Jeremy Sweetnam Esquire

The WAGS were out in force and looking incredible! Bottles of Don Perignon were being popped like candy. A gorgeus selection of hors d'oeuvres was served; the smoked salmon and cavair went down a treat.



Gav "Crouchy" Jeffers

But then again maybe this reporter was dreaming or sitting too close to Billy "Funny stuff" Murphy!!!


Here's a selection of the official photos:



League Top Scorer: Gavin Jeffery



Self-proclaimed Team Captain: Alex O'Donovan



Best Goalkeeper: Barry Sheehan



"Safehands" Sweetnam trying to explain to the lads why in fact he was the best goalkeeper in the league and that the refs didn't know shit!

2009 Almaty Squad



Back row (l-r): Billy Murphy, Alex O'Donovan, Dave Smith, Phil Smith

Front row (l-r): Gavin Jeffery, Antony Spratt, Mark Dawson

Absent: Marco Machado, Jeremy Sweetnam

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Almaty Athletic 2 FC Miracle 1

Almaty Facists 2 Communists 1

“Marxist subversives silenced for another season”

As Karl Marx once said in a letter to his father: “History calls those men the greatest who have ennobled themselves by working for the common good; experience acclaims as happiest the man who has made the greatest number of people happy

On Tuesday night Almaty Athletic ennobled themselves by working together for the common good, not for the common good of peasants sharing the new found wealth of the State, so that all men are equal but for the good of her Majesty and the extreme right wing facist views of her loyal subject Antony Paul Joseph Goebbels Spratt and his new world order of puritan capitalism. And yes they were happy and made people happy with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the new communist enemy in our midst, a sour reminder of the Celtic Tiger and all its misgivings.

Absentees on the night include Marco-Medallion (sunning himself in Portugal) and Jeremy ”sweet-talking” Sweetman ("How many times do I have to tell you imbeciles - it's SweetNAM! Christ") who was up in Dublin for the day searching for a 6* hotel as 5* hotels are for peasants and poor people.

Goebbells volunteered to go on goal, being one of Hiltler's closest associates and most devout followers, eventually succeeding him as Chancellor of Germany (an office he held for only one day), he was well used to emergency situations that required emergency action. (He once sent a delegation to seek a ceasefire with the Russians). Goebbels wasn’t happy with his match day attire, as he had to wear super sticky builder’s gloves provided by Dave “shaggy dog” Smith.



Sir Phil Walter Raleigh started on the bench due to his late arrival, he had once again been imprisoned in the Tower, this time for allegedly being involved in the main plot against King James 1st who was not favourably disposed toward him. Luckily for Almaty he was released just in time for kick off, at 18.30hrs, and was ordered to silence the threat of communism.

Almaty started brightly and created a few chances. The communists though came close to scoring when they whacked a hot shot straight at Goebbels face from about 5 yards out. His glasses were smashed, but he vowed to carry on, determined to silence the rising red tide.

Almaty weathered the storm. The pre match talk had been about work ethic, the German way, closing down the enemy and winning each physical battle. Concentration was also outlined as paramount, a lack of which had been a major contributor to two successive defeats in as many weeks.

An Almaty attack, from a quick throw and some neat passing, led to the opening goal. Stefano Jefferies, pounced on a through ball and guillotined the ball into the corner of the net like the head of a disobedient servant; 1-0 to the Fascists.

A point noted by all on the night was the change in performance from Billy ’bong’ Murphy. Rumour has it, young Billy spent time over the summer in the Rutland and has been clean for 3 whole months.

Before the Rutland (Billy’s lunch)

After the Rutland (Billy’s underwear)


Billy was up and down the pitch all night with renewed energy (all legal), and let rip with a half volley mid way through the first half which forced a good save from
Their goalkeeper “The Iron Curtain”.

Mark “mexicano” Dawson was like a rash again all over the the red striker, on some occasions a bit too close, some say it bordered on penetration, but Dawson is a practising metro-sexual as seen in picture below with his lovely mail order Mexican bride.

The game continued with lots of slick one/two touch passing movements. Half time came, with a team talk that took stock of the great work effort, concentration and togetherness that was shown in the first half. Goebbels stressed that the team needed to keep it up with strong defending, and efficient use of the ball needed to press on and win the game. ‘The German Way’ he stressed was the only way. Five minutes into 2nd half the red tide finally breached the German defence and equalised . A sniper left unmarked on right hand side of the circle slotted it home through Dawson's legs, who had work permits and illegal immigrants clearly on his mind. Still socialist snipers are clinically trained and this was all too apparent.

Not to worry, Almaty regrouped and kept playing the same way, crisp passing, keeping it on the floor, work ethic, concentration, and much more intense pressure made it difficult for the enemy.

A bad tackle on Alex ‘I love the potato even though it’s a peasants' food’ O'Donovan when he was brutally halved from behind by a foreign intruder, looked like it was curtains for him on the night. Known as Mr. Glass, he explained his injury crisis to Goebbels Spratt one night over a glass of fine wine: “I have something called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. It's a genetic disorder. I don't make a particular protein very well and it makes my bones very low in density... very easy to break Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends”. Miraculously he picked himself off the ground, dusted himself down and played on!

The winner from Almaty came with 14 minutes left on the clock. Almaty on the defense stole possession, Alex putting the feet of flames into a rear 4th gear (5th is no longer accessible) made ground up the wing. Sir Walter Smith screamed for a pass in the middle which was duly obliged. Smith, controlled with first touch then placed the ball neatly into the bottom left corner, sliding it in so to say.

The final whistle came after a determined rear guard with jeers from the communist onlookers and chanting “Champion-ays, Champion-ays”. Earlier a hardened socialist got sent-off for stamping on Gavin ‘Stefano’ Jeffery.

One memorable moment was when a frisky female fan ran on to the pitch and tried to cause a riot, Goebbels was quoted as saying “it certainly turned me on”.

Man of the match went to Billy “Doobie” Murphy who was awarded a commemorative reminder of the occasion:


I leave you with a quote from our departing gaffer, Hier-Josef Spratt:

People are tired of liberty. They have had a surfeit of it. Liberty is no longer a chaste and austere virgin… Today’s youth are moved by other slogans… Order, Hierarchy, Discipline.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Gaffer in shock retirement announcement!

On the eve of Almaty’s final game of the season, Sky News broke the news today that Gaffer Spratt has announced his retirement from the top post as Almaty Gaffer. After a three year spell which has brought one championship title and two 2nd place finishes the Gaffer said he’s taken the team as far as he can. When asked about the rumours that he had been approached by another club he strongly denied these allegations claiming Almaty was the only team for him.

The Gaffer is aiming to go out on a winning streak and hopes that his player put in a world class display of “pass and move” style they have been renowned for when they face the newly crowned champions FC Miracle tomorrow night. “I’d just love it if we beat… just love it” said Spratt “especially given that they haven’t been defeated yet this season”.

Almaty will welcome back Billy “The Kid” Murphy to the fold after a couple of week’s absence. Unfortunately they will have to do without the services of Marco “Soaking up the sun” Machado and Phil “pre-season” Smith. It is still unsure whether Alex “Libel” O’Donovan will make an appearance. It is rumoured that he was not happy about been shouted at by "plantation landowners" last week. It is tough being the only Catholic on the team!

Gaffer in shock retirement announcement!

On the eve of Almaty’s final game of the season, Sky News broke the news today that Gaffer Spratt has announced his retirement from the top post as Almaty Gaffer. After a three year spell which has brought one championship title and two 2nd place finishes the Gaffer said he’s taken the team as far as he can. When asked about the rumours that he had been approached by another club he strongly denied these allegations claiming Almaty was the only team for him.

The Gaffer is aiming to go out on a winning streak and hopes that his player put in a world class display of “pass and move” style they have been renowned for when they face the newly crowned champions FC Miracle tomorrow night. “I’d just love it if we beat… just love it” said Spratt “especially given that they haven’t been defeated yet this season”.

Almaty will welcome back Billy “The Kid” Murphy to the fold after a couple of week’s absence. Unfortunately they will have to do without the services of Marco “Soaking up the sun” Machado and Phil “pre-season” Smith. It is still unsure whether Alex “Libel” O’Donovan will make an appearance. It is rumoured that he was not happy about been shouted at by "plantation landowners" last week. It is tough being the only Catholic on the team!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Almaty Athletic 2 The Bananaskins 3

Bad night for Almaty

Almaty fans were left disappointed last night as their hopes of regaining their title were dashed last night as FC Miracle were crowned champions last night after beating City Ramblers 4-2. It was irrelevant that FC Miracle had earned the three points which guaranteed them the championship as disappointedly Almaty lost 3-2 to The Bananaskins.

The Bananaskins were a much improved side with the two Butler adding a bit of class. Almaty started with Gav “must score 2 goals” Jeffery upfront, Alex “everybody goes Kung Fu fighting” O’Donovan in the centre and the usual back three of Dawse, Dave Smith and Spratt. After last week’s walkover and a grueling 6-a-side session the previous night Almaty players looked out of sort. Too much time was been taken on the ball; passes were going astray and there was a general lack of confidence. Almaty were punished twice in the first half when they failed to close down the runners from midfield and allowed them to shot. Things were not looking good at half-time as Almaty trailed by two. However, word spread through that FC Miracle were only winning by one goal and that there was hope that there could be an upset in that game.

Almaty began to press their opposition in the hope of forcing some errors. Their pressure paid off as Gav “only one more goal to score” Jeffery finished neatly after some good play. Five minutes later Gav “waahoo I’m top scorer now” Jeffery bagged his second. With the game poised at 2-2 Almaty fans began to urge their team forward as they could see they had the momentum. However, disaster was to strike with five minutes left on the clock. The ball went out for an Almaty throw-in on the left hand side. “Safehands” Sweetnam rushed to get the ball and took the throw himself only for O’Donovan to be dispossessed. With Safehands stranded the Bananaskins striker had an open goal to tap into. There were strong similarities to the crucial goal Almaty conceded against Gliebenhagg a couple of weeks ago. Will they ever learn?!

The Almaty players came off the field somewhat dejected and their mood could not be helped by the chants of “Champion-ays, Champion-ays, oh ay, oh ay, oh ay!” from the pitch beside them. Almaty play FC Miracle in the last game of the season next week. They will be eager to beat them not only to prove a point but also to secure second place.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Make or break!

It is the penultimate round of games in astro leagues tonight. Almaty will be praying that 3rd place City Ramblers will cause an upset by getting a result against the league leaders FC Miracle. If FC Miracle were to drop points tonight and assuming Almaty win then the title will be decided next week when the two teams face each other. Otherwise, FC Miracle will be crowned champions tonight.

Almaty’s opposition tonight is The Bananaskins. They comfortably beat them 8-1 in their first meeting however they will be without the services of star players Marco Machado (who’s fecked off home to Portugal as he’s had enough of the miserable Irish weather!) and Phil Smith (pre-season friendly). As a result Niall “Stopper” Murphy has been given a recall after an impressive display at Sun (technically Mon) footie this week.