21 Seasons, One Last Win

When Mark Simpson (me) is not working hard as our NSW State Dealer Manager, one of his passions is football. After a long career playing, I now concentrate just on coaching and managing the mighty Over 55s team at North Ryde Soccer Club. This team has been together for 21 seasons, and has aged like fine wine. Many of them have played together since they were young men back in the 1980s and 1990s.

On Friday night, the North Ryde Soccer Team played their Grand Final in atrocious conditions. It was dumping down with rain, and yet we had a great crowd turnout, and we played some great football. North Ryde dominated play, but went down early to a scrappy goal. Then we clicked and slotted 2 great goals before conceding a late goal. So 2-2 at full-time, and it was straight to Penalties. Fortunately, I had picked the right penalty takers who had all practised and were confident. Our keeper made one great save, and the Lane Cove team missed the goal on two of their attempts. The four NRSC lads slotted home their penalties to seal the win.

As an aside, some twenty seasons ago, I played for West Pymble. We took on Lane Cove in an Over 35s game, and one of the Lane Cove players suffered a stroke on the field. We managed to keep him stable, and then the ambulance took him off to the hospital. I kept tabs on his recovery, which included a lengthy rehabilitation process. Well, Keith, the very same player was in the Lane Cove team we played on Friday night. He does not remember the incident nearly as well as I did. It was such a joy to see him playing after all these years.

That is what old-timers football is all about. Playing against guys you have known since your prime. You know what to do, but you just cannot do it like you used to be able to. 

We no longer play for sheep’s stations. We play to catch up with our mates and earn the right to have a cleansing beer and a chat each weekend through Winter.

Anyway, the Winner’s Beers went down well, and I announced my retirement as the team’s Coach and Manager. After 21 years, including 20 Years as a Player/Coach/Manager and then a Coach/Manager, I cannot think of a better way to wrap things up.

After a good weekend, I went straight back into Solahart mode and prepared a full update for my dealers on their battery orders!!

Of course, I am wearing my Champions Medallion with great pride.

Mark Simpson