Tenth Anniversary match:
player profiles

From our creaking correspondents Filippo Ricci and Geoff Andrews

 

PHILOSOPHY FOOTBALL FOOTBALL CLUB is proud to present the Legends vs Current Team encounter, an event organised to mark the 10th anniversary of the club The game will be played on grass at Wandsworth Park, London, on Sunday the 20th of February, kick-off at 10.30 am.

 

[click here for the match report]

 

PFFC 1974 line-up

 

LEGENDS PLAYER PROFILES:


Robert Alexander
It was his acrobatic heroics during the 2000/01 season that earned the Penge stopper the famous 'Rob the Cat' nickname, rather than his 2003 attempt to scale the window ledges of Pordenone after he had locked himself in (and out). Known to quote Ibsen at advancing centre-forwards, he was the complete philosopher–footballer between the sticks.

Filippo Ricci
Enjoying a renaissance at centre-back after the Gaffer had ignored his earlier 'unlucky' demands to move him from full-back, he has been instrumental in changing the culture of the team. He has displayed an extraordinary ability to recruit new talent, particularly from his homeland, where he has twice led the team to glorious adventures. Now an indispensable part of the management team where he forms a unique double act with the Gaffer.

Ian Coyne
Another football journalist who originally brought Filippo to PFFC, 'Coyney' has played in every position in the team from goalkeeper to centre-forward. Most at home at centre-back where he was a towering presence at the heart of PFFC's championship winning teams in the Grafton League. Known for getting lost in London, he has a habit of finding the top corner from 30-yard set pieces.

PFFC team, 1999

Raj Chada (c)
Came to PFFC via an advert in the New Statesman and it has been politics and football ever since for PFFC's tough-tackling midfielder and Labour councillor. A crowd pleaser on PFFC's many tours, his popularity has dipped as Camden's housing supremo, though his intended move to the culture portfolio looks set to bring football and philosophy together again. Look out for Crease v Crumple battles in midfield with old adversary Cornish Al.

Jez Bray
A regular on PFFC's tour marathon in the 2000/01 season, it was PFFC who made him into a European citizen. Now firmly embedded into the European Community in Bruxelles. Pre-match sparring with former room-mate Owen has added extra spice to this fixture; 'It won't be me marking Owen', he told the press, 'but Owen marking me'. On hearing that Owen may be PFFC's keeper he promised to 'stack a few goals past him'.

Neil James
Since breaking all PFFC's goal-scoring records in the 2002/03 season, with 40 in 13 games, the Kiwi has resisted attempts to lure him back from retirement. How the present PFFC could do with his goals. Yet there is still hope in the camp that 'he may come back' to make his European debut.

Stefan Howald
Many words have already been written about PFFC's legendary Swiss striker, the first ever 'player of the decade', who made his debut for the team in his early 40s as a founder member with the Gaffer and went on to be a model of professionalism. His writing has given PFFC a wide readership in Switzerland and his philosophical commitment has matched his performances ion the pitch. Hosted PFFC's first ever European tour in his home town.

PFFC team 2000    

Brian Bannister
Another Scouser and rock of PFFC's defence, 'Big Brian' was the only remaining member of PFFC's central defence to play in the midweek league, where his experience was crucial in helping the young team to the championship. Ended his PFFC career in dramatic fashion with his second yellow and a big roar. Rumoured by the BBC to be the 'biggest defender in the world'.

Marco Fontana
Brought to the team by Marco I, Marco II distinguished himself as a skilful utility player, equally at home in defence, attack or midfield, and won two Grafton titles with PFFC. At the first title-winning match at Crystal Palace his goal celebration was captured on film and won him an award. Brought his cousin Dennis to PFFC; the first ever battle between the two since the early Eighties will be a feature of Sunday's game.

Richard Shepherd
The longest throw in all the leagues in London, PFFC's Shakespearean actor has performed many roles for the club. Much feared by Inter Aztec and much admired by the women of Friuli, he was awesome on occasions and despite a short loan spell at Leeds in the Ridsdale days, stayed with the club for all its championship-winning years.

Paul Clarke
Brought to the team by his chambers colleague Cornish Al, 'Clarkey' first made his mark for PFFC in their first Grafton championship season. Infrequent appearances over the next couple of years was followed by his now legendary performance in Sicily in 2004, where he completed an extraordinary day of stolen wallets and lost luggage with a match-winning performance, and found his feet on volcanic ash.

Carlos
An opponent in the Bruxelles fixture in September 2002, this Portuguese full-back was snapped up by the Gaffer, via the scouting services of Jez, for the Sicily tour, where he was rock-solid on the pitch and poetical off it. His opposition to global capitalism has made him a natural for PFFC's philosophical brand of football.

Geoff Andrews
Having peaked as a player in the 1973/74 season, the Gaffer's main contribution to PFFC has been from the dugout, though he holds the distinction of being PFFC's first ever keeper. After a brief departure between 1996/1998 he returned to mould three generations of Philosophy Football players. His interest in Italy has complemented Filippo's influence on the cultural direction of the team and has shaped his managerial style.


Departing for Zurich, June 2000

 

CURRENT TEAM PLAYER PROFILES:

 

Ally Clow (c)
Our own Mozart, the blonde captain of Reggina. From Scotland rather than Brazil, but he brings the same level of inspiration on the pitch, and also in music as father figure of the Thinkers' Tunes collections. In his third season with PF, our youngest skipper ever – and former U-Boat captain – has already played in many different positions, loyal to the 'total football' commandments of the Gaffer.

Owen Mather
Used to be the youngest and sometimes the wildest, but after a loan spell in the Scottish Premier League has come back older and wiser. An incredible parable: from boozy nocturnal messages on the Gaffer's answerphone to the position of esteemed treasurer, and from crunching tackles and cards of various colours to an irrepressible career in goal.

Ronan Duff
As an old enemy, he used to trash PF playing for an opposing team, but since joining the ranks has become a regular on both flanks. One of the best defenders in the history of PF, he is a member of the 'silence is golden' sect, and a devoted follower of the 'let's let our football do the talking' motto, both of which are very popular with the PF defenders (apart from one).

Kieran Alger
Such is the level of his commitment that sometimes you wonder if he shouts the trademark 'Alger's up!' also when he gets up in the morning (with Nadia pulling him back by his pyjamas), or when he rises from his chair at work (with the loyal Gibbo also rising in unison). Our vice captain from Devon, he's in his third season with PF.

Dennis Fontana
Cousin of the legendary Marco II, he could have played for the Legends given his appearances in the Grafton League era. Recalled to PF service by a Christmas phone call from the Technical Director after he had apparently quit for good, but wisely enough realised how big that mistake was and backtracked to come and score handful of goals.

Mauro Campana
Pony-tailed forward known in the outskirts of the Via Cassia in Rome as 'Neeskens' or 'bomber', he has contributed to the PF cause with a bone in his nose and some valuable pieces of play. Another Thinker addicted to music.

Steffen Rulke
The latest player recruited through the long tentacles of the Technical Director's scouting system, but the first from Germany. Debuted wearing a Brecht shirt; already a true Philosopher. And a great defender.

Pritpal S Tamber
Back from a self-imposed exile, a form of protest against the 'girly Astroturf' (his definition), this doctor and scribbler is invaluable on the left flank and on foreign expeditions. Great photographer and the most continental of the lot, on and off the pitch, tries not to play too many games each season, for obscure reasons.

Alan Johns
Better known as Cornish Al, he is a true Legend for various reasons: the longest serving Thinker of this era; unbeatable at adapting Sinatra songs to the PF epic; immense, on his day, on the pitch; almost ever-present at European fixtures. Signed on the basis that he'd never have to participate in any form of training, but has gone through a strong conversion, on and off the pitch.

Damian Evans
The first Welsh captain of the team and a perfect heir of Paul in the heart of the defence. With the former captain he also shares the honour of best defender in the history of PF. Reliable, fast, cool, managed to revive the almost defunct playing career of the Technical Director by 'running for two'.

Giacomo Koch
The perfect incarnation of the British definition of utility player, he was brought into the team thanks to a clever exchange with the Roman outfit Sant'Onofrio, with an ageing Marco I going in the opposite direction. An exchange orchestrated by Lele, the FIFA-licensed agent of Vito, Vipul, Eric and 'SuperMario', among others.

Geoff and Fil  

Adam Gold
Appeared a couple of seasons ago one morning in Regent's Park, then disappeared to write a dozen Rough Guides. Now back, and compiling a London Pub directory, he has managed to stay sober despite the Gaffer and the Technical Director playing him in a dozen different positions, sometimes even during the same game.

Paul Gibbins
Nelson Mandela calls him Paul, but for us he's just 'Gibbo'. Quiz master, the youngest of the team, and the closest to the Technical Director in the dark diCanio-esque side of his character. The first South African to play for the team, he too has played in every position, even managing to produce a fine save as a goalie while on the phone and wearing shades.

Eric O'Connor
Historic component of Lele's sporting van from Shepherd's Bush, he likes to torment Roman guitars and British defences. Epic commitment and celebrated 'yankeeing' phrases have granted him a place in the memory of PF.

Marco Bianco
Used to play for Lazio, but making a choice from the bottom of his heart decided to join PF. Brought in by Dennis, 'Marco III' is the latest fine example of the Marco species, a breed special to PFFC.

Vito Vittore
Latest arrival from the prolific Roman market, he has had an immediate impact on the team, providing passes, friendly games and players. Travels on a bike like the Gaffer used to do, and it's thanks to him that we have recently rediscovered our beloved Regent's Park.

 

REFEREE: Mr H.Tisdale (Harwich)
A connoisseur of good football, PFFC's designer–chairman (as distinct from 'designer chairman') is unlikely to be rattled by the back-chat of overpaid players. Always aware of the interests of supporters, he will be looking to officiate a value-for-money quality product of intellectual distinction.