Everyone in this picture is Ally Barron

There will be samples available at training tonight and at the FA Cup Night on Saturday, you can place orders there and then at both.

We have available:

• Hoodies
• Spray Jackets
• Chalet Jackets
• Kit Bags
• Beanie Hats
• Polo Shirts (paid up club members receive one free but also available for family and friends)

Just click here to download and fill out the order form and either email (alistair.barron@lionco.com) or hand it to Ali Barron before Monday!

Well, OK, there’s more than just a bar, there’s the small matter of changing rooms, equipment, and the all important goalkeeper crash mat.

So come on down at 9AM to lend a hand, and after that catch a titanic battle between Thirds and Masters at 11AM, followed by a few beers at the Limerick… could you think of a better way to spend your Sunday???

See you then!

MPFC goal scorers:

Neil Mullen, Mickey Furness, Miles Tidd (2), Chris Stevenson

more detailed report to come…

When the draw is done for the 2013 Victorian State Cup competition, you can bet that Elwood City will be praying to avoid Middle Park. For the second consecutive year, the two clubs were drawn together in the first round of the knock out competition. For the second straight year, the Parkers sent Elwood City packing.

Middle Park’s starting line up saw the return of two ex-players, in Jason Hart and Barry Dolan, both coming back into the fold after a few years playing in the State leagues. Stephen Gibson also made his return for the Parkers, having had a very brief spell with the club in 2007. John Stewart made his debut for the Parkers against the club he represented last year. Gavin Cremming, Ally Cook, Neil Mullen, Nathan Meade, Mickey Furness, Kevin Hogan, and Miles Tidd rounded out the starting eleven for MPFC.

Good managers don't celebrate

The Parkers took the game to Elwood from the opening kickoff of the match, played Saturday afternoon at the State Football Centre in Thornbury. Yet despite dominating the game from a posession and territorial perspective, Middle Park failed to find the breakthrough in the first 25 minutes of the match. It wasn’t until just after Elwood had their first spell of meaningful posession in the Parkers’ half that the opening goal came.

After a decent move by Elwood ended with a shot falling disappointingly easily into MPFC goalkeeper, Gibson’s hands, he started the Parkers on an upfield move that ended with Mullen beating the Elwood ‘keeper with delightful chip from about 20 yards out. It was no less than Middle Park deserved after dominating so much of the match to that point.

The lead should have been doubled just a few minutes later. After a deft pass from Tidd sent Meade down the left wing, he swung in a fantastic cross into the Elwood box. A hard-charging Hart should have scored, but his powerful header came crashing back off the crossbar. Middle Park would have to make due with 1-goal half-time lead.

The second half continued in much the same fashion as the first. Middle Park carried most of the posession and threat, with only brief flashes of danger from Elwood. MPFC finally scored the goal that should have put the game beyond doubt in about the 70th minute. Tidd created panic in the Elwood backline by putting pressure on their center back. This lead to a turnover, allowing Tidd to unselfishly slide a pass across the front of goal for Meade to slot into a half-empy net.

Elwood made sure that it wouldn’t be such an easy finish for the Parkers. Some slack defending and poor communication between the Gibson and the defenders in front of him allowed Elwood to quickly pull a goal back. They were back in the game, perhaps undeservedly.

The Parkers did eventually find the goal that put the game out of reach with about five minutes remaining. Mullen finished past the Elwood ‘keeper from what looked like an impossible angle to the right of the goal. It was Nanny’s first brace for Middle Park and capped off his Man of the Match performance.

Middle Park will now take its place in Tuesday’s draw for the second round of the Cup. The Parkers will face one of Collingwood City, South Yarra, Melbourne University, Malvern City, St Kilda SC, Yarraville, or Clifton Hill next Saturday.

MPFC – Stephen Gibson, John Stewart, Ally Cook, Barry Dolan, Gavin Cremming, Jason Hart, Neil Mullen (Ally Barron), Kevin Hogan (Chris Stevenson), Nathan Meade, Mickey Furness, Miles Tidd (Esteban Pinto)  Unused Substitute – Alexander Xynas

Middle Park FC will play Elwood City in the first round of the first stage of the 2012 Victorian State Knockout Cup after the draw was completed at FFV Headquarters on Thursday, March 1st. The tie is a rematch of the 2011 first round matchup won by the Parkers in thrilling fashion.

Last year, an 88th-minute winner, scored by George McKenna, gave the Parkers a 2-1 victory, setting the tone for Middle Park’s season. The Parkers eventually bowed out of the 2011 cup competition in the 3rd round, losing a tense match to South Yarra SC in a downpour. However, the disappointment at missing out on a glamour draw against Port Melbourne was forgotten as the Parkers romped to promotion by winning the Provisional 3 South-east title in convincing fashion.

The winner between MPFC and Elwood City will take their place in next week’s 2nd round draw.

Middle Park FC vs Elwood City SC

March 10, 2012 , 1630 KO (Pitch 3)

State Football Centre, 281 Darebin Road, Thornbury, VIC

Essendon Royals and Brunswick Zebras join Provisional League 2 in the North-West division for season 2012, while Middle Park continue their impressive rise into the Provisional league 2 South-East. Joining Middle Park in the South-East for season 2012 is Collingwood City who will be keen to start their season with a victory when they host their fellow promoted club from Kevin Bartlett Reserve in Round 1

Given the 1-0 reversal suffered by Collingwood at home on the final day of last season, a game in which MPFC clinched the Provvie 3 flag, it’ll surely be game on come March 31st.

Checkout links to the complete fixture lists for the 1s and ressies below:

• Firsts
• Reserves

Thirds and Masters fixtures to be released in due course…

We’ll be kicking off the evening from 7.30PM, bring some booze.

Level 1
141 Victoria Avenue
Albert Park
(above Melbourne Pathology)

Looking forward to seeing ya all there!

• Tuesday, February 14 @7 pm (Fields 10/12)
• Thursday, February 16 @7 pm (Fields 10/12)

February 21 – March 31*

• Tuesday evenings @6:30 pm (Field 4/5)
• Thursday evenings @ 7 pm (Field 7/8)

*training times for Grand Prix week (March 12-18) TBA

And what are we aiming to achieve with all this visual bling, well, a bunch of things, including but not limited to:

• Helping to increase MPFC’s profile out there, attracting sponsors, more respect and all that jazz
• Making posting to, and participating in, the site a heap easier
• Making useful (and interesting) information a bunch easier to get to

So, we’re hoping that this new setup will achieve just that.

And, even if it doesn’t, the aim is also to have a site that we can easily edit and update – which moving to WordPress and a widgetized design like this – should hopefully do.

So, here’s to a better site, helping the club take a step forward in 2012!

Welllllllllllll it’s a grand ole team to play for,
It’s a grand ole team to see,
And if … you know … your history,
It’s enough to make your heart’s go whoa-o-o-o,
We don’t care what the other teams say,
What the hell do we care?
Coz you always know,
That there’s gonna be a show,
And the Middle Parkers will be there.
Was it one-ah? NO!
Was it two-ah? NO!
Was it three-ah? YES!
Was it easy? YES!!!