Foreword by David Clark
How it all Began
On arriving home from work one evening I was greeted by my son Kevin who asked if I could arrange a few friendly matches for him and his friends and give them a little coaching. I didn't realize then it would lead to almost two decades of football with who I still call "my lads".
After playing a few friendly matches we entered the youth league, Soham Town Rangers already had a youth team entered and although they were very successful under the guidance of Peter Reeve the players who played in the team came from a wide area and included only one local lad. So the team became Soham Town Colts and it is testament to its creation that nearly all of the players played for either Soham Town First team or the reserves.
At this time we were becoming quite successful, beating the clubs senior side 5-1 in a five a side tournament and generally progressing very well. Almost before I knew it these youngsters had grown into young men and decided once again to stay together and join the Sunday League. After a short meeting with me, the lads decided on keeping the same players, all local, and continue with myself as player coach.
During the next few years we achieved promotion every season and reached four cup finals, winning two, considering the fact that we kept to about fifteen players it was a remarkable achievement. I had hardly any problems and if you consider the length of time we shared as a team, they were a great bunch of lads. My wife Jenny had more problems than me washing and ironing shirts but she never complained. I think she knew how much it meant to us all.
I feel I must mention the players as they were the ones who made it all work, there were brothers Colin, Graham & Brain Eley, Kelvin & Malcom Wells who was so consistent and hardly missed a game. John Harvey, Stephen Sizer a real battler, my son Kevin who adapted from the switch from midfield to full back and did very well despite his coach's misgivings. Mick Robinson a tower of strength at the back and a great captain. In midfield we had a great balance all capable of scoring goals, especially Graham Eley a tremendous striker of the ball with either foot. The midfield was made up of Dave Guy and Kevin peacock, two great players to have in your side, we lost another Steve Ashman to injury but he returned to play in goal. Up front we had one of the leagues most prolific goal scorers Richard Palmer who bagged almost 400 goals for us, he was assisted at different times by Paul Giddens, Neil Langley, Steve Bye, Gary Isaacson, Eddie Gammon and Eddie Leeke. After moving to Soham Trevor Beckett was also a a great asset.
After the football finished they have done well in their various jobs and careers, leaving yours truly a very proud man. Just to go back to the early days one more time ,the lads brought me a silver tankard with all their names on it and almost twenty years later, thinking I'd worn it out, brought me another one and the names on the tankard were still the same. As I may have said before a great bunch of lads I am proud to call friends.
To finish and illustrate the bond between this coach and his lads, some years ago I had serious back problems and all the lads came around and to see me and wish me well . Our captain Mick Robinson now has his son Matt at Ipswich Academy and he is doing very well. As you see I could write about the lads all day, I mentioned how they helped the first team and reserves over the years and later on took their places on the committee and one became chairman of the football club. As I may have mentioned once or twice before I am very proud of "the Lads"
Yours Sincerely
Dave Clark
Dave Clark was the Manager & Coach of Soham Town Colts which progressed to form Soham Town Rangers Sunday X1, but he was much more than that. Dave was a very genuine and trustworthy person who commanded the utmost respect from all who came in contact with him. His coaching and beliefs of how football should be played ensured not only did the team play to a high technical and physical standard, it also ensured that his teams always played hard and to win but fair in the right spirit of the game. It was his ability to find the best positions for players and improve their game that enabled a lot of his players to play at a higher standard than they would have reached.