Tigers draw praise despite winless year

WHILE every league has to have a winner, it also has to have a team come bottom.

Despite a wretched season which has seen them lose all 17 Crow League Division Two games, they have played, Melbourn Dynamos under-11 Tigers have continued to plug away in search of that elusive first victory.

The Tigers did manage to chalk up one victory during the campaign, when HC Cougars failed to raise a team.

Club press officer Ian Breeze had high praise for the commitment shown by a team who have conceded 137 goals league this season - an average of eight a game: "I can only praise the commitment of the players and parents of the Tigers team who have not had a win in the league all season.

However, all have stuck with the club and enjoyed and endured the weather and fixtures for the past months.

"Also to coach, Steve Douglas, and manager Tim Lee, who have been giving encouragement and guidance to the boys in the team throughout the season."

When Tigers take up their place in Division Three next season they will be missing one regular player, as Breeze explains: "Sadly, we say goodbye to a player who is not leaving because of our league position, but because he is moving to a country where playing football will not require three T shirts a pair of gloves and track suit bottoms to avoid hypothermia, Australia.

"Jack Ovens has been a superb goalkeeper and outfield player for the Tigers during the course of our campaign and he will be greatly missed, as will parents Kim and Paul whose support on the touchline and training ground have been superb."

Tigers wrapped up their league programme with a 5-0 defeat at Hormead Hares.

The closest Tigers came to a victory this season was a 3-1 loss against Bishop's Stortford Blues, while Blues' club-mates, Athletic, inflicted their worst defeat - a 17-0 hammering.