Busy Times for the ITA
What a busy couple of months we have had, so welcome to a bumper sized news bulletin which spreads over 2 months! We have had trips booked to Macedonia, Innerleithen Tartan Army taking part as a team in the Games Week 5's football tournament and our first AGM. 2 special photo galleries have been produced for the AGM and the fives.
Games Week 5 a Side Football Tournament
Click any image to enlarge and view the collection.
As the sun set over Innerleithen on Saturday 12th July, the old saying that pain is temporary but glory is forever may never have been more aptly applied. Several hours in the pub ensured that the aches and pains were somewhat numbed, but as the evening grew on the glory just wouldn't diminish. Paddy's scrambled close range effort had suddenly become reminiscent of James McFadden's Paris wonder strike; 4-0 defeats were downsized to narrow, unfortunate, odd-goal reverses; Aidan's flying overhead bicycle kick was probably the greatest goal ever scored by anyone, ever; and Sarge, as always, still hasn't lost it, reminding everyone who cared to listen of the time he won Leithen Vale Player of the Year award in 2002.
What was not in doubt however, was that Innerleithen Tartan Army's debut showing in the annual Games Week 5s was, by our own very low standards, a resounding success.
The day began on an encouraging and unexpected note, when all 6 players showed up on time. Mini-Chesney didn't have his boots, Paddy's gloves looked like they had been recovered from an archaelogical dig, and Spence was carrying so much weight that the Michelen Man would later try to hump him, but all were present and correct and initial signs were good. Early optimism was further fuelled by the discovery that not only would we be playing against the Rugby Club, but also a team whose pink strips and Hibee-haircuts suggested that they may be suffering from the after-effects of a heavy night out at CC Blooms. Unfortunately the subsequent realisation that they wore Hibee-haircuts because they had, in actual fact, played for Hibs, came too late to prevent a humiliating defeat, but those early moments of blissful ignorance will be treasured forever.
Loyal sponsors The Top Pub had provided the kits and, with the side at least appearing professional on the outside, the campaign began with a stunning 3-1 victory over a Tweeddale Rovers team. The fact that they were from Peebles made the victory even sweeter, and Paddy took great pleasure in telling anyone who would listen that the ITA now boasted a 100% record in 5-a-side football, and consequently must surely be regarded as one of the top '5s' sides in the whole of Europe, if not the world. Aidan's brilliant overhead kick was undoubtebly the highlight, although Sarge insisted that like all truly great holding midfield players, his brilliant and tireless play had gone largely unnoticed.
Game 2 was noticable for the fact that the opposition contained none other than A. Sarge, who had shamlessly defected from the ITA to play for the The Dream Team...a brilliantly original name I'm sure you will all agree. Unfotunately, the time they saved thinking up a team name had clearly been spent practicing football skills instead, and the ITA trooped off the field at the final whistle on the wrong end of a scoreline so huge that it still hasn't been agreed on. The post mortem was long and profound, with the lads eventually concluding that by being good at football, the opposition had clearly had an unfair advantage and as such, the result wouldn't affect our status as the best '5s' team in the world.
The less said about the third game the better, to be honest, although luckily another perfectly valid excuse was close at hand. All were in agreement after the match that getting too close to a man in a pink shirt would undoubtably be an act of overt homosexuality, and the fact that none of us touched the ball in the game's entirety was solely down to this, and no other reason. Unfortunately defeat meant that qualification from the group stage was now impossible, however the lads were comforted by the knowledge that this would allow them an extra hour in the pub.
The final game saw the ITA redeem themselves with a comfortable yet bruising victory over a team who couldn't quite get their heads around the fact that the defining feature of football is kicking the ball and not the opposition. Perhaps everybody was too busy looking over their shoulder to notice Paddy's 'wonder strike', which seemed to be missed by everyone except him. Luckily he bundled one over the line seconds later, and this goal was seen by everybody else. Justice was done in the end and the egg-chasers were left to console each other in the only way they know how...by touching each other up.
With that, the ITA's involvement in the tournament was over, and the lads retired to the pub to mull over the day's events. In goal, Paddy was superb again, and Chesney surprised everyone with a series of outstanding stops that a man with ginger hair just shouldn't have been able to make. Sarge cited the Walter Smith School of Football to pass off his chronic lack of fitness as a tactical masterstroke, by sitting so deep he was also similtaneously playing as a striker on the pitch behind him, and Steve impressed us all by scoring a free kick so good that it almost justified his decision to wear silver boots. Spence defeated Sarge in the pie-eating contest, and also in the goal scoring stakes. Note to Sarge for next year - eat more pies. Special mention goes to Aidan, however, who was brilliant all day and scored the goal of the tournament with his Ronaldinho-esque overhead kick.
Thanks go to Cath and Hector for once again being kind enough to sponsor the ITA, and to all our supporters whose embarassed and sympathetic looks on the sidelines will haunt us all forever.
AGM NEWS
The first ever ITA agm was held in the tented village in The Top Pub. Due to it being sunny the meeting was carried out al-fresco. To view large pictures, just click the thumb-nails. The minutes are as follows;
MINUTES FROM THE INAUGURAL INNERLEITHEN TARTAN ARMY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 26/07/2008
Present : - Alistair Sargent (chair), Patrick Henderson, Mark Rankin, Neil Sargent, Neil Thomson.
Present via Conference Call : - David Tyszko
Apologies : - Aidan Rankin, Craig Rogerson, Stephen Lawson, Paul Meldrum
All other ITA couldn't be arsed....
1. Chair's welcome: AGM chairperson Alistair Sargent welcomed all members in attendance to the meeting and thanked them for their presence.
2. Year to date summary: Alistair Sargent summarised the year so far as a good one following the success of the home game against Croatia; trip to Prague and the team's respectable performance in the Games Week 5's.
3. Upcoming Events: Alistair Sargent reminded everyone of the upcoming international challenge match with Northern Ireland at Hampden and instructed all those interested in going to speak with the ITA home game convener Neil Sargent for details.
Chairperson then handed over to Patrick Henderson, current ITA away game convener, to inform the members about the impending trip to Macedonia, via Bulgaria, Italy and Ireland. Patrick reminded the assembled ITA members that so far 4 people were booked up to make the trip and anyone interested in following suit should speak with him as soon as possible.
Alistair thanked Patrick for his contribution
4. ITA roles for the upcoming year: First to be decided was the role of ITA away game convener. Patrick Henderson was nominated to continue in the role. Motion carried with a 5-1 majority. Patrick asked that if he continue in the role that an assistant away game convener be appointed. David Tyszko was suggested for this role and with 6 votes for and 0 against was elected to the position.
Current home game convener Neil Sargent was proposed to continue in his position and a 6-0 vote ensured that motion carried. The meeting then suggested an assistant home game convener be appointed and Alistair Sargent was elected to fill this role with 6 votes in favour and 0 against.
5. ITA in the community: Chairperson Alistair Sargent suggested that the ITA had rather lost their way recently on the publicity front, a point agreed by the meeting.
5.1 - A charity nude calendar was proposed to raise the profile of the ITA but no decision was reached on this matter.
5.2 - David Tyszko raised the point that the ITA had previously been offered the opportunity to have a guest ale in the Top Pub but this had come to nothing. It was decided that a discussion would take place between representatives of the ITA and Hector to discover if this was still possible
5.3 - Mark Rankin proposed a Charity 7-a-side football match against a team representing the Green Tree Tartan Army. The meeting agreed to this proposal. It was decided to research a charity to benefit from the event with early opinion suggesting the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal would be a suitable candidate. Mark Rankin was appointed as Charities Convener following a 5-1 majority vote and Neil Thomson was elected to the position of Assistant Charities Convener. Mark Rankin stated he would discuss the idea with representatives of the Green Tree before a date be set and fundraising begin.
INTERMISSION
Meeting reconvened with chair Alistair Sargent welcoming the members back.
6. ITA Fashion: Alistair Sargent proposed the production of a World Cup 2010 T-shirt. The meeting agreed that these would be popular.
Patrick Henderson proposes Alistair Sargent and David Tyszko continue to be the ITA's tailors, a motion carried by the group.
Patrick then proposed that all sponsors logos , other than that of the Top Pub, be removed from the 2010 T-shirt. This was agreed by the entire meeting.
7. ITA finance: Alistair asked that all outstanding payments for Paris polo shirts, as well as flag donations, be made as soon as possible.
Patrick Henderson proposed the creation of an ITA bank account, a motion which Neil Sargent seconded. It was agreed by the members that this would be a beneficial move. It was proposed that Neil Sargent and Patrick Henderson be responsible for the setting up of the bank account. Further discussions about this matter were postponed until the expert opinion of resident ITA banker Stephen Lawson was seeked.
8. Any Other Business: Mark Rankin asked about membership of the Scotland Supporters Club for himself and also on behalf of Aidan. Neil Sargent pointed out that a waiting list currently exists but that Mark and Aidan should join the waiting list. David Tyszko added that he too would join the waiting list.
9. Presentation: Following Alistair Sargent thanking all the members for their attendance and contributions over the evening the AGM was concluded by a presentation to Cath and Hector on behalf of the Innerleithen Tartan Army to thank them for their continued support.
More News and ITA developments next month.
