MY DEAR BOYS
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I wish to take the opportunity, offered
by our Club News, of addressing a few
words to you all.
I do not intend to write over Football
theory or technique, but over another as
pect of sport, which is really the basis
upon which success or faillure of any
branch of Sport is dependent.
When I first made acquaintance with
A.F.C., I found the first team in a very
precarious position, and naturally, my first
task with the Club was to concentrate on
this team and to try and raise them to a
safe position.
I found that the attendance at training
was very satisfactory, despite the fact that
it was mid-winter and my method of trai
ning, under winter conditions, is not what
you name „gezellig".
In any case, I found the players ready to
do whatever I asked of them and no effort
was too great, so long as it brought better
results. There was no thought of personal
inconvenience or personal success. Each
and all were striving to leving their club
to safety, no matter what the cost may be.
This admirable „club-first" spirit I found
not only among the players that were play
ing for the first team, but also among
everyone that was connected with the club.
In a very short time, I was no longer a
trainer that just did my work and hoped
for success, I had also this feeling „te pak
ken". I came to my work as if my whole
life depended upon better results for A.F.C.
In short, I was one of you.
When I fully realised what a „family"
spirit existed throughout the club, I was
confident of success.
I remember, when we were at the bot
tom of the league, saying that there was no
need for worry. At the Annual Dinner I
went so far as to say" Gentlemen do not
worry over the position of our first team.
The boys are training regularly and hard.
Succes must come. If it does not come then
it is my fault".
My confidence was not misplaced, the
boys did not let me down, successes soon
came and in a short time we were in a
safe position.
In all my experience of football, as ac
tive player and as trainer, I have never
been so nervous as I was during these vital
games, and I can assure you that no A.F.
C.-er was more happy than myself when
safety was eventually reached.
Now I must speak in a more sombre to
ne. This success of the first team had to
be attaned at alle costs, ant naturally the
second team were the chief sufferers. They
must give up players for first team duty
and the result was that they are now fa
ced with degradation games.
Here again, I am confident. Jaap and his
boys are training hard, the „club-first" spi
rit is very prevalent. If we lose our posi
tion in the first class, it will be a hard fight
for the team that takes it from us. Let
us continue to train regularly in the next
few weeks. Every A.F.C.-er can help in
their own way. We can win, we will win,
we must win.
I would like to write further, but I must
save a little for the next Club News, so
will now conclude by thanking the Redac
teur for this opportunity of addressing all
A.F.C.'ers.
Your Coach and friend
PETER DONAGHY.
- 11
A.F.C.-ers, begunstigt onze adverteerders!
