…perhaps it is inevitable that website pundits resort to picking fantasy teams, making wild predictions and the all too familiar chest-beating prior to the start of the season. We’ve had our fill of browbeating poor old CI for their enterprise and initiative, and the usual innuendo and taunts about players playing for money. But are we so much different than contemporary sports, and have we taken our lead from the big boys in Premiership English football?
After all, there are many similarities.
Let’s start with the big three, as that’s really the current football scene with the demise of Arsenal in recent times. There’s no doubt North Down is the Man United of our local cricket scene, the team with strength in depth, the top facilities, an impressive array of trophies past and present, and a ruthless determination to ensure they are not going to be toppled easily. They recruit shrewdly, and they pick up star players just on their name alone. That’s the quality of their pedigree and their buying power.
Waringstown must beLiverpool. They have the class and the ability clearly illustrated by their performances in their Great Years, but more often than not these days, they finish runners-up, despite always being in the frame. Their Steve Gerrard type talisman has to be Kyle McCallan, and they are never going to be too far away from the limelight because they are a class outfit.
Then we have Civil Service North, the Chelsea of our Premiership. Big spenders and big performers, with a spattering of local talent, and always good enough to win a trophy here and there. But are they really in the same class as Man United and Liverpool, man for man in a man’s world?
Outside the big three it’s certainly a fantasy world. Bangor could be Arsenal with all their promising young talent and endeavour. Pretty to watch, but when it comes to the crunch games their challenge normally fades away.
Enter Everton as Instonians, one of the crusty old war-horses over the years. Good solid team with some talented players, but more often than not they lose their way during the season. That said, they are always a good bet for a cup run even if they never win it!
Lisburn could pass as Aston Villa as they also have a solid team on and off the field, a great tradition, and the ability to beat the best on their day. Unfortunately they don’t have enough days like that.
Enter Carrick playing under the guise of Blackburn Rovers, never going to win anything big and every year fighting a rearguard to stay up with the big boys. Yes they attract experienced players, but they also lose them, and yes, they have some good players in their ranks, but they are more likely to be fighting to stave off relegation than winning the league.
Derriahy isBirminghamCity. Good enough to get into the Premiership but not good enough to stay in it, while Dundrum is Hull City trying to establish itself in the big time after a lifetime down the leagues. Downpatrick are Leeds United on a fastfall, while Lurgan could easily be Tottenham given their excellent track record, but inability to get back into the limelight despite all the promise and potential.
Woodvale could be Newcastle United with plenty of nostalgia and passion in the North-East of Belfast, but they remain a shadow of their former selves. Yes, they could bounce back some day, but it always seems to be on the horizon.
Perhaps the same could be said of Holywood, alias Crystal Palace. They were up there with the best many years ago, but it will be some time before they can get back. Cliftonville might be West Bromich Albion with plenty of flair and passion, but limited resources and quality playing personnel, so more likely to be entering a period of rebuilding in the foreseeable future.
Muckamore will always be West Ham United. Great place to play, great bunch of people, but lacking the ambition and drive to rise above mediocrity on the field. Not so with their neighbours Ballymena, the Wolverhampton Wanderers of local cricket built around some fine players in peak form. Their colourful history has been marked with sporadic and memorable successes, but the consistency has never been there. Once again they are back up with the big boys in 2009, but once again, they’ll find it challenging to topple the best of them.
But what of Manchester City you ask, the great pretenders of English football, the team with limited success over the years, but cash rich and determined to buy their way to the table with an aggressive recruitment policy and a big squad.
Does this sound like CI?
Of course not, this is a fantasy world!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
