April in Paris
Press
release and tour programme
Presentation of trophies (streaming movie)
Squad (click on a player to see their profile)
Kieran
(c)
Alessandro
Bruce
Cornish
Al
Damian
Filippo
Giacomo
Jez
Jon
Marco
Owen
Ronan
Vipul
Filippo Ricci
Age 38
Occupation Football journalist
Position Central Defence/Technical Director
Enjoying a renaissance at centre-back after the Gaffer had ignored earlier
'unlucky' claims 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. On his third tour, he is now an indispensable part
of the management team where he forms a unique double act with the Gaffer.
Vipul Bhakta
Age 27
Occupation Cancer researcher
Position Full Back
Another recruit from Lele's scouting system and an occasional visitor to Loftus
Road, Emile Heskey's former team-mate won further admiration from the Gaffer
for his pace and tenacity during the championship winning season of 2003/04.
Part of PF's own Left Bank, his partnership with Ronan is likely to flourish
on this trip. This is his second European visit following the epic tour to
Rome in March 2004.
Jez Bray
Age 28
Occupation Scientist
Position Midfield
A regular on tour in the 2000/01 season, it was PF who made him into a
European citizen. Now firmly embedded into the European Community in Bruxelles,
he continues to turn out for PF in European fixtures. This is his eighth tour
where he will be re-acquainted with former room-mate Owen for the first time
since 2001. His French will come in useful in the bistros of the rive gauche.
Jon Iversen
Age 35
Occupation Lawyer/author
Position Striker
When he opened the scoring in his first match for PF against the Dutch poets
in The Hague in 2003, they remarked that Aarhus born Jon "wasn't quite
the Jan Koller he appeared to be, rather more a Marco Van Basten". Fearing
a Beckhamesque intrusion into his private life, Jon immediately retreated
to Singapore where, turning his mind to literature, he penned his first page
turner, Legal Risk Management. Now based in Paris, he couldn't resist
the Gaffer's call to resume his PF career two years after his last game. Jon
is living proof of his hero Piet Hier's stoic outlook that Things Take Time.
Owen Mather
Age 29
Occupation College lecturer
Position Goalkeeper
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. This is his fifth tour, but the
first since 2001.
Bruce Oxley
Age 26
Occupation Journalism student
Position Full Back/Central Defence
After making his European debut in The Hague before his full league debut
at Hackney Marshes, the versatile defender was a stalwart of PF's championship
winning team of 2003/04, where he played in a range of defensive positions
and scored one of the goals of the season in an epic encounter with Air France.
Now Eurostar will deliver him to his fourth European trip in less than two
years.
Ronan Duff
Age 33
Occupation Criminal defence solicitor
Position Midfield/Defence
As an old enemy, he used to thrash PF playing for an opposing team of
Notting Hill celebrities, 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). This is his first PF tour.
Kieran Alger
Age 27
Occupation Journalist/Internet editor
Position Central Midfield
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 from the pijama), 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. Will be without Gibbo and Nadia on
his fourth tour with PF, his second as Captain.
Alan Johns
Age 32
Occupation Barrister
Position Midfield
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. Paris is his
ninth tour with PF, second only to the Gaffer.
Damian Evans
Age 27
Occupation Music sales
Position Central Defence
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'. After enjoying Sicilian hospitality on his European debut, he may however
choose to stay clear of moules marinère in Paris.
Giacomo Koch
Age 31
Occupation Neurologist
Position Midfield/Striker
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. His first trip with PF, he wisely preferred springtime in Paris
to the melting ski slopes.
Marco Bianco
Age 26
Occupation Sales
Position Central Midfield
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. Likely to form a strong central
midfield partnership with Kieran. A tour debutant he has his eyes firmly fixed
on future European trips
Alessandro Grandesso
Age 30s
Occupation Journalist
Position Midfield
The latest discovery of the PF scouting network and another of the Italian
trentenni, though based in Paris. With a reputation as a lively winger,
he divides himself between journalism and cinema, as an organiser of a festival
that showed the premier of a short film by the renowned director Eric Cantona,
himself a winger and a true philosopher. Awaiting his PF debut, he should
fit perfectly into the spirit and ethos of the team.
Geoff Andrews
Age 43
Occupation Lecturer and author
Position Manager
After founding the team in 1995 as player-manager, the Gaffer's main contribution
to PF has been from the dugout. After a break between 1997-1999, 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. Ever present on PF's overseas adventures,
this is the eleventh time he has accompanied his team on a European tour.