SURREAL MADRID NEWS 2004
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THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER... IT IS NOW (19th December 2004)
On 19th December 2004 Big Al officially stood down as manager. As no one volunteered to take over this meant that Surreal Madrid was no more.
There were a number of reasons for Big Al's decision - falling attendance, leading to lack of funds, leading to loss of morale, leading to lack of motivation and even worse attendance etc, etc, etc. The team had also moved a long way from it's initial idea - a group of friends getting together for a kick around. In the intervening years many of the original members have moved away, or just moved on, and there was no longer the team spirit that there had been. So, nearly three years after volunteering for the job of manager in the BBC Club in the presence of Adam, Robbie and Steve, Big Al decided to call it a day, in the BBC Club in the presence of Adam, Robbie and Steve. Somehow it seemed a fitting time and place. Big Al would like to extend a big thanks to everyone who played with and against Surreal Madrid. We had fun, didn't we?

NEW SEASON, NEW START (8th November 2004)
If you judge success by results alone, then you would be forgiven for being a bit puzzled at the news that spirits in the Surreal camp are higher than they've been in a long time. But this season's poor scores mask much more significant advances. Firstly, last season is over. It was probably our worst so far in terms of attendance, finance and morale - it now feels like a cloud has been lifted. Players and management alike can put the past where it belongs and look forward to a new season. Secondly, we have new, enthusiastic signings in the form of Paul, Andy and Kevin, leading to two weeks without having to beg other teams for players. This week we even had a sub! Robbie's new job also means he should be able to play more regularly and we even have two (yes two!) keepers on the books. Things are looking up. Thirdly, despite the final results, the matches we have played have actually been some of our best football for a long time and the play has been a lot closer than the goal difference suggests. Yes we've lost, but a couple more weeks playing with a regular team and we might just start to turn those narrow defeats into victories. Referee Simon even said of our four nil defeat on 7th, "that was the best match of the night". Watch this space...

JASON REACHES HIS HALF CENTURY! (22nd August 2004)
Congratulations to Jason Edwards who, on the 22nd August, played his 50th league game for Surreal Madrid! Jason has been a regular in the team since the pre-league days of our Wednesday night friendlies. He played in our very first league match on 23rd February 2003 and scored his first league goal four weeks later on 23rd March. Jason now has a respectable 12 goals to his name, almost 1 every 4 matches - not bad for a midfielder. He even marked his 50th game by paying off a large chunk of the subs he owes. Good attendance, a handful of goals and coughing up dosh as well - Jason knows how to keep the manager happy! Nice one Jase.

THREE WINS IN A ROW! (2nd February 2004)
No-one was more pleased than Big Al this week when the team consolidated their winning streak and made it three in a row. John, Tony and Gaz all managed to beat Fox's keeper to give us a three nil win in which all three goals were scored by Surreal Madrid regulars. Even defender Adam had a shot at goal. Depending how the other league matches went, it is even possible that the result has pushed us into the top half of the table - a place we haven't been for a very long time. However, Big Al's hopes for a full squad were disappointed again and we are yet to secure a win with an entirely Surreal team.

2004 GOES OFF WITH A BANG! (28th January 2004)
It's not even February but Surreal Madrid have already had an eventful year. Firstly the team now has an extra supporter in the form of Nick's new baby girl, born on 20th January. We also have an extra pair of legs on the pitch as Adam has made a welcome return this season after a protracted injury. But the most exciting news of all is that we are no longer bottom of the table! After five games, including one draw and two (yes, two!) wins we have reached the heady heights of 8th place. Last season it took us twelve matches to get five points, and that was only because our opposition didn't show up twice. But Big Al is urging players not to get too complacent. It's still early days and we have yet to win a match without borrowing players from other teams. The test will come this Sunday as a full squad is expected. Can the boys answer the call to make it three wins in a row? Watch this space!

SURREAL MADRID ON TELEVISION! (28th January 2004)
We may not be topping the Premiership but, thanks to 'celebrity' player Steve Clamp, Surreal Madrid are no longer strangers to the heady world of the media. On 22nd December millions of Midlands Today viewers were treated to a comedic exchange between Steve and the main news presenters about our wooden spoon award for coming bottom of Division Two. While getting our award brandished on television was great for the team, all poor Steve got for his trouble was to be dubbed "the worst football player ever" live on air. Let's hope next season's results prove otherwise. (PS Big Al has the incident on video if anyone wants to borrow it!)