‘It’s always a fantastic opportunity for the players and we are delighted to be able to reward the group. Eric and Mark had a tough job in an early cold morning session. I am sure all the lads are capable have pushing forward so just to select 16 is a task.’ Said President and IMS Allstars founder Peter Simmons.

Ramsay and Chester have released the following provisional IMS Allstars squad…

Provisional IMS Allstars squad
Matt Harris (Holt)
Daniel Smith (Rigg Rutt)
Ben Chadwick (Faraday)
Henry McIntosh (Royce)
Jack Bates (Harry French)
Loz Wall (John Phillips)
Calvin Dickson (Harry French)
Karl Threadgold (Falk Egg)
John Mumby (Royce)
Tom Godfrey (David Collett)
Tom Nugent (Cayley)
Alex Blakely (Towers)
Lee Goldberg (Elvyn)
Jon Staines (Falk Egg)
Jamie Rodd (Towers)
Adam Streeter (John Phillips)

Well done to all the lads in attendance.

The purpose of the Loughborough Sporting Club: Football Alumni is to build a network and provide a connection point for former Loughborough University Footballers in order to help preserve the Loughborough sporting excellence and spirit. In addition we hope to harness the talents and reach of that network to support current and former club members.

To date, we’ve been striving to grow the network going back several eras and to improve the communication between our current club and past members to help enhance the current football programme.

The Loughborough Sporting Club: Football Patron is Bob Wilson OBE and LSC:F Chairman is Andy Cale. We are delighted to announce the following Era Champions who have kindly accepted the honorary role to represent their era by acting as figureheads and spreading the word to their wider University cohorts.

Era Champions
Roy Jones (mid 60s)
Brian Griffiths (mid 70s)
Rich Bertram (mid/late 80s)
Jon Reddin (early 90s)
Liam Kane (mid 90s)
Andrew Parrott (late 90s)
Robbie Simpson (early 00s)
Alex McEwan (mid/late 00s)
James Aldred (late 00s/early 10s)

Lead members of the LSC:F are Ross Emery, Tim Crane and Peter Simmons. If you want to get in contact with any of the Era Champions or Lead Members then please feel free to email alumni@loughboroughfootball.co.uk with any alumni queries, questions or information requests

Look out for upcoming Loughborough Sporting Club events including the Stadium Launch, Alumni Eddie Gregg 5-a-side tournament and LSC golf day.

For the best way to be part of the Football Club Alumni and stay in contact with all things to do with Loughborough Sport then click here to join the LSC at http://www.loughboroughsportingclub.co.uk.

Loughborough had faced Bolton in their first game of the season after just a couple of sessions and were soundly beaten 3-0 on Hollywell. They were also going into this game with Fabian Unwin, Fred Humphries, Tom Howard, Ben French and Rob Jardine all unavailable through exams and with keeper Tom White and Toby Shepherd both pulling out in the warm-up!

But the maroons are unbeaten on their travels this season and put in another fine display with make shift keeper in the form of left-back Will Worthington donning the gloves! Will Poole will grab the headlines after a fantastic solo effort which he clipped over the top of the Wanderers centre-half before volleying home. They could have had a second late on when Ahmed Elkhassasi’s shot was well saved by the opposition keeper.

‘We were a little bit stretched today in terms of personnel but the lads came through the test superbly. There were some terrific performances out there and a finish of the highest quality from Will Poole, he reminded me of a young Frank Worthington with that goal!’ Said U21s manager Pete Simmons.

‘We have a fantastic relationship with the staff at BWFCISS and they kindly took the lads around the Reebok Stadium before the game. They have a great set-up there at the academy and I think it’s a great fixture for us to have.’

“To have the playing squads stretched to the point where coaches are having to name themselves as the substitutes really tests the physical and mental characteristics of the players and the coaching staff as well. The results that have been achieved over this very difficult period for the club are nothing short of outstanding and reflect the calibre of people we have within our club.”

On Saturday President Peter Simmons U/21 side got the great week started by recording a victory over Shepshed Dynamo in a practice match whilst the Non-League 1st team won its Midland Football Alliance home fixture against Coleshill on the same day. This was followed up on Tuesday night with the Non-League side progressing to the semi final of the Polymac Services League Cup by beating Rocester 3-1 away from home with goals from Kieran Kenlock, Daniel Nti, and Jordan Barker.

But it was on wednesday that the club passed its sternest test of the season with John Kurrant and Danny Webb’s 3′s beating Notts Uni 4′s 2-1 with 2 goals from Adrian Diaz and Eric Ramsay and Eddy Allen’s 2′s victorious over Liverpool Uni away by the same score with the goals coming from Mark Wheeler and that man Kenlock again. Both sides emerged with the spoils after 90th minute winning goals. The BUCS 1′s then added to the list of victories with a no fuss 1-0 result against Oxford away from home in its knockout match.

It is very much worth noting as well that the Futsal teams have been equaling the feats of the 11 a side teams with a fantastic 10-2 victory over Birmingham Tigers recently by the National League team, followed by a very successful weekend for both the BUCS sides. The 1′s have won every match they’ve played and thus have qualified for the finals, and the 2′s are on the verge of doing so as well.

But whilst it has been a very positive week for the club following a tremendous effort from the players and staff, McLaren pointed out that nobody at the club will be satisfied until the season is over and titles have been won “Times like these are great to remind ourselves what can be achieved when hard work and application are couple together with quality, but every player and coach knows that we have a few more challenges to face before we achieve what we want which is to win trophies”. The boss then added “We will always strive to succeed, no matter the circumstances, because WE ARE LOUGHBOROUGH!”

‘It’s a fantastic result for the side, probably one of the most significant in the season given the context. Our lads are in the middle of exams and have to play two games in two days some of them with the BUCS knockout tomorrow.’ Said President Pete Simmons.

‘But the lads have been terrific. It was great to see Kieran McKenna finally make his Loughborough debut, he was rolling back the years in centre-mid. We now enter the semi final which is where we got to last year, it would be great for the lads to go further this time around.’

In the other cup quarter finals, Boldmere St Michael beat Kirby Muxloe 2-0 at home, but the club are still awaiting the outcome from the two other ties.

After a couple of false starts to his Maroons career with non-playing substitute roles in 2 league games so far this season, students gaffer Stuart McLaren has given his biggest indication yet that the young Irishman could get his chance.

‘Kieran has trained very well this week and has been very patient waiting for his opportunity and I know he will do well when he gets his chance. With so many games in February we have to use the entire squad to its best effect as we are still challenging for 3 honours with the League Cup as well as BUCS League and Knockouts. That could present opportunities to a couple of lads who haven’t played or played very little this season.’

McLaren is also expected to give fans favourite Tom Cowan a first league start for the Maroons tonight.

‘It’s been a rollercoaster last 12 months with injuries and taking time away from my studies. But it’s great to be back in Loughborough to complete my final semester.’ Said Malik.

‘I’ve had some great times at the club during my time at University, arguably some of the best. I’ll be working hard in training to try and get myself in the mix but I am just grateful for the opportunity of being invited down.’

Malik played under Plowright in last years’ third team, the two are reunited this year in the same league with the fours.

Club XI Shirt 2012

IMS Allstars Shirt 2012

The shirts will be named and numbered for each player taking part in the showpiece game.

‘We’re expecting the hardest game of the season tomorrow afternoon. On a tight pitch it will be all to play for.’ Said Kurrant.

‘The in-form Kanyinsola Fagbemi is unfortunately missing, but with Inwoo Kim welcomed back into the side, the attacking flair and threat they pose will not be missed.’

Fagbemi had been in sparkling goal-scoring form for the threes but will be absent tomorrow.