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The Gilbert Trophy 2000
The season kicked off as it did last year, with a trip to Shrewsbury to take part in the Gilbert Trophy.
This was the only silverware that eluded the squad in the 1999-00 season, and once again, the competition proved too much. However, as a "getting to know you" exercise, the day was a great success with Manager, Martin Sweeney given the opportunity to field his players for the first time and to experiment with formations and selections.
The tournament involves 6 County Teams playing each other throughout the day, with results gaining vital points for the final league table.
| NAME |
CLUB |
| Anthony BOWATER |
Kidderminster Harriers |
| Adam COOPER |
Nuneaton Borough |
| Patrick FLAHERTY |
Hednesford Town |
| Melvyn GOURLAY |
Hereford United |
| Joe HANNEY |
Nuneaton Borough |
| Richard HARPER |
- |
| Steve McKNIGHT |
Darlaston Town |
| Luke McNALLY |
West Bromwich Albion |
| Ian McVARISH |
Kidderminster Harriers |
| Robbie MEACHAM |
Hednesford Town |
| Scott MOORE |
Darlaston Town |
| Andrew MORRIS |
Christ the King |
| Chris ONIONS |
- |
| David PARKER |
Sutton Town |
| Gareth PICKNELL |
Hednesford Town |
| Michael POPE |
Darlaston Town |
| Elliot RICHARDS |
Hednesford Town |
| Chris SALT |
Hednesford Town |
| Ronnie SAYER |
Hednesford Town |
| Mike SMITH |
Boldmere St Michaels |
| Simeon SMITH |
Paget Rangers |
| Gary WHITE |
Nuneaton Borough |
| WILSON |
- |
| Chris WOODALL |
Bedworth United |
| ROUND 1 |
| Staffordshire |
0 |
0 |
Birmingham |
| Shropshire |
2 |
0 |
Worcestershire |
| Herefordshire |
0 |
0 |
Northamptonshire |
|
ROUND 2
|
| Herefordshire |
1 |
0 |
Birmingham |
| Worcestershire |
0 |
1 |
Northamptonshire |
|
Staffordshire
|
0 |
0 |
Shropshire |
|
ROUND 3
|
| Worcestershire |
2 |
0 |
Birmingham |
| Staffordshire |
0 |
1 |
Herefordshire |
|
Shropshire
|
2 |
0 |
Northamptonshire |
|
ROUND 4
|
| Herefordshire |
1 |
0 |
Birmingham |
| Worcestershire |
0 |
1 |
Northamptonshire |
| Staffordshire |
0 |
0 |
Shropshire |
| FINAL STANDINGS |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
PTS |
| Herefordshire FA |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
| Shropshire FA |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
6 |
| Staffordshire FA |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
| Birmingham FA |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
| Northamptonshire FA |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
| Worcestershire FA |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
Good Omen for County Team?
2nd October 2000
The Birmingham County Youth team returned from Shropshire with mixed feelings yesterday after failing to lift the Gilbert Trophy.
Despite finishing fifth in the table at the end of the closely fought round-robin tournament, the squad are taking heart from the fact that the same result last season was a prelude to them scooping all three remaining titles.
Disappointing losses against Worcestershire (2-0) and to eventual winners Herefordshire (1-0) came after a 0-0 draw with Staffordshire. Luke McNally hit back for Birmingham to overcome Northampton (0-1) whilst a strike from Hednesford?s Robin Meacham plus a spectacular own goal from the hosts led to a 2-2 draw with Shropshire.
Team spokesman, Steve Poole said: "The Gilbert Trophy seems to be a bogey tournament for us, but if it means we have the same kind of season as last year, then I'm sure everyone won't mind this result!
"The most important thing was that this was a great 'getting to know you' exercise," he added. "And with our first Cup game fast approaching, I'm glad we had this opportunity early on in the season."
The squad for the defence of the FA County Youth Cup Crown is due to be announced later this week in advance of the first game on the 14th October. Birmingham face Northumberland in a tough game to kick off their campaign. After defeating last year's semi-finalists, East Riding in the first round, the Northerners will be ready to prove they are a side to be reckoned with in this years' competition.
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