Stripes News

Name

Pete McConnell

Age

26

Position

Midfield

Tell us about your first footballing memory Pete

Looking back to where it all began, I used to practice keep-ups for hours as well as kicking the ball against the wall. As bizarre as it may sound, I used to roll 2 socks into a ball and kick it around the house. I remember playing local youth football and was invited to sign for Rangers. This was a very proud moment!

Which other clubs apart from Långholmen do you follow ?

I have always followed the mighty Glasgow Rangers. I have fond memories of the 1992-93 season when we beat Leeds in Europe. The team with players such as McCoist and Hateley was immense. I love watching Old Firm games and take great pleasure in winding up Macker (Långholmen centre-half who is a massive Celtic fan) when we beat Celtic. I have a soft spot for Barcelona and love watching players such as Messi, Xavi and Iniesta – especially when they play at the Camp Nou.

Talk us through the best goal you have ever scored

As you all know I am a goal-machine, so there are many to choose from!   If I am honest, I am not the best finisher in the world, however take great pleasure by the fact that I have contributed to setting a few up in the past. Perhaps the most memorable goal was in a youth tournament against Ajax. I also thought my goal against Boo earlier on in the season was a cracker…

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you have with you and why ?

Megan Fox would be enough! Should she decide to decline my offer, I would take my girlfriend Vanessa, I had better keep her sweet, she is looking over my shoulder as I am writing this and I can feel the heat. Secondly, I would take as much Sushi as I could, I can’t get enough of the stuff. Finally, plenty of toilet paper (the good stuff, not the sand paper type). I wouldn’t fancy wiping my back-side with leaves.

Do you have any pre match rituals that you go through before a game ?

Talking to you (Scottie) on Facebook seems to be a regular occurrence of late. I try not to think about things too much and only really start to focus on the game a couple of hours before kick-off. When I was younger, I used to think about the game continously the night before as well as the morning of the match. The older I get, the more relaxed I have become. After the match, you will find me in one of Stockholm’s fine boozers!

Who is your favourite player (from any time in recent history) ?

So many players have blessed the game, however I have not seen a better player than Maradona, the man was an absolute genius with the ball at his feet. I’m going to bend the rules slightly and give you my 5-a-side team; Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo (not the clown that has gone to Real Madrid, the Brazilian), Maradona and Paul Gascoigne (the man has had his problems, but there is no denying what he could do with a football. Naturally, if the team were losing and required a bit of magic, I would bring myself on!

..and finally…..Where do you see Långholmen FC in five years time ?
When I think of how much Långholmen has changed since I joined the club 2 seasons ago, there is no limit as to how far the club can progress. Clearly, we have a great bunch of players, staff, coaches and fans and I firmly believe that we will continue to grow. If each of the teams could secure one promotion in 5 years, I think that would be a marvelous achievement.

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ÄNGBY IF (1) 2

LÅNGHOLMEN FC (1) 1

Långholmens fans were left deflated after this game, for the players it must of been a hundred times worse. Ängby created very little in front of goal in the second half but managed to steal a winner in the 83^rd minute when Daban Saeed stepped up and steered an unstoppable shot past Edwin Bergquist. Up until then it was a game that saw Långholmen run the show, once again a great spirit showing through, but unfortunately spirit alone doesn’t win games, putting the ball in the net does and on that front Långholmen and Colm Kenny have been very unfortunate of late. Two times Kenny saw the crossbar deny him for making it onto the score sheet, unjust for the Irishman who puts in a fabulous effort every game.

The away team took the lead when Chris Allen showed a neat bit of skill and finesse with a well taken goal. He chased in on Pontus Belling in goal and then lifted the ball at exactly the right time to put the Stripes ahead. It could and should of been more the visitors but lady luck was not on their side as they were denied a second.

The referee and some of his decisions were not well recieved by the away contingent. On 41 minutes he awarded the seasons most dubious penalty, Ängby captain Bergkvist slamming the ball hard and low past his name sake in the Långholmen goal.

The second 45 belonged to Långholmen, with chances being created and not taken. Allen almost pulled off a carbon copy of his first half goal when another lob just bounced past the post. Kenny showed a nice piece of skill when he hit a super volley that screamed. Ängby made it physical and tightened things in the middle of the park.

Långholmen were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, perfect Kenny territory, the resulting effort canonned off the bar and denied his team the lead.

Then came that goal against the run of play, Saedd needed only a small area to squeeze his shot into the net. It was a marvellous finish but an unjust one for the Stripes.

One point from nine seriously dents Långholmens chances for the title, but they will go into next weeks derby match with heads held high and full of optimism.

Report Scot James

Photo courtesy of Per Hägglund

Långholmens next league match is a derby match this Saturday at home to Lo Scudetto/Krukan FC at Essinge IP with a 2 pm kick off

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BOO FF (2) 2

LÅNGHOLMEN FC (2) 2

Had the game finished in victory for any of the sides tonight it would have been an injustice for the other. A draw was a fair ending to what was a fine game of football. At times it was hard to keep up with the end to end frantic mood of the game.

When the first forty five minutes were up the spectators had been treated to 4 goals and plenty of action.

The home side looked very lively and the duo of Bobokory and Lamin Sonko were creating all sorts of problems for the Stripes back four. The home team looked particularly dangerous at set pieces and that is where they got the match’s first counter. Sonko netted after a vicious in-swinging corner evaded the away side’s defence.

Långholmen looked a little bit stunned as Boo continued to cause them problems from both flanks.

Edwin Bergquist was forced to make a fine save from the big centre shortly after the opener.

Colm Kenny found himself with a bit of space in the box and was blatantly fouled. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Billy Harkness coolly stepped up and slotted home the spot kick to even matters.

The tempo was raging at this stage as both sides were eager to nudge themselves in front. Andy O’Sullivan was receiving some harsh treatment from his marker Henrik Nyhus, who was booked for a criminal challenge before the break.

Things looked rosy for the Stripes on the 44 minute mark when Ciaran McCormack made sure the ball hit the back of the net after a scramble in the box resulting from the Stripes first corner of the match. The big man found himself in the right place at just the right moment to give his team the lead.

Instead of holding on Långholmen let their concentration slip and allowed Ian Sandholm enough space from twenty yards to fire home a fantastic low shot past Bergquist.

Stefan Jansson had a lot to say to the officials at half time before they left the field of play and can consider himself fortunate not to have been red carded.

Långholmen tried to change things around in the second half with the introduction of Deri Thomas and this seemed to fuel a spirited second period. Boo had several chances to take the lead but Bergquist was equal to them. O’Sullivan saw a good effort hit the side netting after a super run by Andy McClelland. Robbie Graham and Billy Harkness instilled a great passion into the Långholmen side as they edged towards a winner but some fantastic goalkeeping by Victor Kalita kept the scoring as it was. Both sides had goals disallowed in the game for offside decisions, Långholmen’s in the final minute of the match. All in all a good night’s footballing entertainment at Boovallen.

A tough game awaits the Stripes on Saturday as they travel to Ängby in a real top of the table clash. Boo have the slightly easier task of taking on Stuvsta.

Crowd: 61

Next away game is this Saturday 15th Aug at Ängby IP k.o 14.00

All info can be found at www.langholmenfootball.com

Report by Scot James

Photo courtesy of Per Hägglund

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After a set back at the weekend Långholmen will be eager to get back on the winning trail and grab maximum points from their next two matches. The lads worked hard in training this week and are confident of putting things right.

The first match is against Boo FF on their home turf. Earlier in the season Långholmen ran out convincing 5-2 winners at Essinge IP, but this match will be a whole different ball game as Boo need to get points in the bag after some recent slip ups. This game has a 8pm kick off at Boovallen.

On Saturday the Stripes make the trip down the green line to Ängby IF. Ängby were narrowly beaten by Långholmen in June but still remain up there in contention at the top. This is a must win game for Långholmen if they have ambitions of taking the title this year.

A certainty is that the Långholmen fans will be in good voice for these matches. They really are a twelfth man for the club and have recieved plaudits from many opposing clubs.

Match times: away versus Boo at Boovallen Wed 12th Aug k.o 20.00, away to Ängby at Ängby IP Sat 15th Aug k.o 2pm.

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LÅNGHOLMEN FC (0)

SKÅ (0) 3

A determined Skå side came to Essinge with only 3 points in mind and by 4 o’clock they left the island with their just rewards after a superb defensive display. Långholmen threw all they could at Skå but just could not make any great impact as time and time again the Stripes forwards were closely shadowed and hardly allowed an inch of ground. A great double by leading scorer Johannes Eriksson made sure that he was his teams man of the match.

The home side suffered a set back when Mattias Larsson was forced to pull out just prior to kick off with a knee injury and the absence of Robbie Graham made midfield selection a bit harder for the management team.

The away side made a good positive start and showed they were just not there to make up the numbers. Bergquist in goal for the Stripes pulled off a fine save on 16 minutes when Eriksson was clean through. Långholmen pressed hard in the first half an hour and time and time again tried to break down a stubborn Skå backline. Billy Harkness found himself with an acre of space on the left handside and sent in a hard low cross which just evaded the Stripes players inside the box. It was frustrating stuff for the loyal home suuport, who were fantastic throughout. Just before the break the Stripes broke away on the far right the ball was played into the middle after some close control on the sideline and found it’s way into the net, the linesman awarding a corner as he adjudged the ball to of gone over the line off a Skå defender.

The second half belonged to Johannes Eriksson. He claimed his 8^th goal of the season after Niklas Nilsson Ahlm jinked his way into the box before releasing the ball to him and he soundly shot past Bergquist. The home team were further stunned when Skå grabbed number two, this time the ball hitting the net via the upright..

Långholmen were given a glimmer of hope when Colm Kenny for once found a bit of space, lobbed the keeper and found the head of O’Sullivan at the back post.The keeper just failing to reach the ball before it nestled in the net.

Guy Woodhead and Harkness battled hard and tried to spur on the Stripes but it was not to be on a very warm day and the game was put to bed when Eriksson netted once again to give Skå bragging rights.

This was a big game to lose for the home team but a great booster for Skå. One thing is for sure it’s gonna be a very interesting second half of the season, where any of five teams can realistically walk away with the title.

Report Scot James

Photo courtesy of Per Hägglund

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Långholmen FC return to league action this weekend after their summer break. They sit proudly at the top of the table after a fantastic first half of the season. On Saturday they welcome Skå IF to Stora Essinge in what promises to be a great match.
The away side have already returned to action, a game that saw them lose 2-0 to Boo. They will be more than eager to redeem themselves on Saturday, especially as they have already suffered a defeat at the hands of The Stripes this season.
The previous game was played in heavy conditions on a very wet day on Ekerö, goals by leading scorer Chris Allen and Andy O’Sullivan secured the points in a 2-0 victory.
Långholmen have played a couple of pre season friendlies but have been unable to field anything like their normal team . They took on Super ettan side Assyriskas youth team and were beaten by 6-3 after dominating the first half. A friendly against fellow Div 4 side Mälarhöjden also ended in defeat, but as always not too much can be taken from pre season games.
There should be a good turn out on the terracing on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if Skå bring any kind of away support. Their home support was practically non existent in the first match, the Långholmern fans made up 95 percent of the near 40 crowd. The club make new supporters very welcome and appreciate new voices in the Ultras regular sing song.
Kick off is at 2 pm at Stora Essinge on Saturday 8th of August.

More club details can be found at Långholmens website www.langholmenfootball.com or join Långholmen FC Ultras on Facebook.

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Name
Gary Phillips

Position
Defender

Age
32

Who has been the most influential person in your footballing career ?

Mr. Swift.  My Junior school head teacher and football coach. At the tender age of 11 Mr. Swift forced me to play on the left and use my left foot (against my will). In the long term this move has proved beneficial.

As a defender you don’t score many goals, but can you tell us about the best one you have scored and why you remember it so well.

A last minute winner for my old club Gregorians FC (Manchester) against rivals Bolton County. The rain was pouring down. I managed to get myself up at the far post and direct a header back across the keeper. Highly unlikely, but a true story. I remember it so well because we had a strong dislike for Bolton (in general).

If you could paly in any stadium which one would it be ?

Nou Camp (against Barcelona)

Which is your favourite club apart from Långholmen?

Man Utd, or on a more personal level, my old club back home, Gregorians FC.

What is your ideal pre match meal ?

Beans on Toast. A hearty breakfast which also gives your opposite number something to think about.

Who is the player you most enjoying playing with at present ?

That’s a difficult one, as there are lots of quality footballers at Långholmen at the moment. Earlier this season I played half a game at left back with Andy O in front of me. I remember this half being a piece of cake defensively, due to Andy’s work rate and link play. Paul Sullivan is also a quality footballer, always talking and always available.

And finally Gary if you could have a beer with any famous person in the world at the Southside Pub who would it be and why ?

Howard Marks. He’d have lots of great stories (Bl.a.)

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