26 January 2013: 4th team head south of the river
As middle-age begins to envelope much of the squad the 4th team tried to stave off the ravages of time by convening for some nostalgia, football and alcohol in South London. Nine of the 4th team managed to avoid grown-up commitments like impending marriages, shift work, emigrating and mortgages to make the trip and play some surprisingly effective 6-a-side football too. Further details can be found on the Graduate Years page of this site, whilst photos of the weekend are available in the Gallery.
3 july 2011: 4th team in 'still able to play football' shocker
The 4th team defied their own expectations yesterday as they managed to play something recognisable as the sport known widely as football in Nottingham. Up against local side Arnold Celtic the 4ths recovered from a 1-0 half-time lead to notch a 4-2 win thanks to second-half goals from Dan Hill, Alec Waby, Ernesto del Rio and Tom Heaton. Further details of the game can be found in the 'Graduate Years' section of this site.
14 june 2011: the 4th team returneth
As fortold by a prophecy from beyond, or more specifically having been given an encouraging nudge via a facebook message from their captain in Australia, the 4th team are set to reconvene once again with a Summer jaunt to Nottingham. Thanks to John Moore displaying the sort of organisational prowess that was sadly lacking during the years his co-manager really needed it, the 4th team will take on Notts League side Arnold Celtic in a friendly fixture on Saturday 2nd July. Full match details are yet to be confirmed, but early indications show the 4ths will be flying in two of their squad from overseas for this fixture.
1 april 2008: charlie wilkinson memorial tournament preview
After five and a half months in the footballing and real world wilderness footballing heroes the 4th team return to Lincoln on Wednesday for their annual assault on the city's alcohol stocks at this year's Charlie Wilkinson Memorial Tournament. Anticipation of our heroes' arrival is understandably high, in fact the city of Lincoln has not seen this level of excitement since the introduction of electricity to the county in 1993. Despite having to settle for fourth place at last year's tournament the 4th team will be expected to be amongst the key challengers at this year's competition as they look to impose their high level of banter and passing football onto today's impressionable youth.
Everyone's favourite footballing mercernaries will be without a number of key men going into the tournament. Notable absentees include Shu Hiong Tan and Ernesto del Rio who remain on international duty in Malaysia and Spain respectively. The squad has also been decimated by an unexpected wave of unavailable holiday time that has robbed the Lincoln public of the chance to see Matt Crucefix, Joe Stevens, John Moore, and Ben Holliday, as well as the long expected managerial debut of Jack Woodlock.
Adding to manager Glen Wilson's selection problems is the late withdrawl of Tom 'turn the' Heaton who has been forced to pull out at the eleventh hour due to a potential transfer deal on Thursday morning. Tom's absense leaves the 4ths with a fourteen man playing squad although Dan 'Hill Hill' Hill remains doubtful due to old age, and will undergo a late fitness test at his care home tomorrow morning. However after last year's tournament saw the 4th team find the net just once it is hoped that the late Riley Samuda will make a customary surprise appearance out of nowhere to boost the 4th's attack, particularly in the dribbling the ball to the corner aspect.
As ever the 4th team will give their opposition a fighting chance by enjoying the now customary 'quiet one' the night before the game. With the absence of John Moore and Tom Heaton confirmed the threat level to Lincoln's female population has been officially downgraded from red to yellow; however licensed traders in the city are advised to take in extra stock in anticpation of the return of 4th team captain Paul 'Scratch' Beagle.
Everyone's favourite footballing mercernaries will be without a number of key men going into the tournament. Notable absentees include Shu Hiong Tan and Ernesto del Rio who remain on international duty in Malaysia and Spain respectively. The squad has also been decimated by an unexpected wave of unavailable holiday time that has robbed the Lincoln public of the chance to see Matt Crucefix, Joe Stevens, John Moore, and Ben Holliday, as well as the long expected managerial debut of Jack Woodlock.
Adding to manager Glen Wilson's selection problems is the late withdrawl of Tom 'turn the' Heaton who has been forced to pull out at the eleventh hour due to a potential transfer deal on Thursday morning. Tom's absense leaves the 4ths with a fourteen man playing squad although Dan 'Hill Hill' Hill remains doubtful due to old age, and will undergo a late fitness test at his care home tomorrow morning. However after last year's tournament saw the 4th team find the net just once it is hoped that the late Riley Samuda will make a customary surprise appearance out of nowhere to boost the 4th's attack, particularly in the dribbling the ball to the corner aspect.
As ever the 4th team will give their opposition a fighting chance by enjoying the now customary 'quiet one' the night before the game. With the absence of John Moore and Tom Heaton confirmed the threat level to Lincoln's female population has been officially downgraded from red to yellow; however licensed traders in the city are advised to take in extra stock in anticpation of the return of 4th team captain Paul 'Scratch' Beagle.
9 february 2007: preview; the 4th team vs uni of lincoln 5ths
Big Match Preview
The most eagerly anticipated football event in Lincoln this year is upon us as the Cathedral city welcomes back its favourite footballing mercernaries for the first leg of their 2007 World Tour. Matches in Scotland, Spain and Chesterfield await the 4th team in the year ahead but they have elected to begin their journey in the city they were founded, taking on the University of Lincoln 5th team in an old scholl hungover grudge match.
The 4th team were in resounding form in 2006, suffering just two defeats in twelve months... and one of those was in the quarter finals of the UK National Dodgeball Championships. When the sides last met little could seperate them but for a heavy night out in Scream as they played out an entertaining yet hungover 4-4 draw on Lincoln's West Common in front of a capacity crowd of five people, two children, a dog and a dozen horses. Saturday's re-match looks set to be just as entertaining with the 4th team keen to begin their year on the road with a win.
The 4th team have a number of injury concerns going into this match. Jack Woodlock appears to have recovered from his recent ankle injury, but fellow full-back Joe Burr has pulled out the squad due to a sudden bout of 'gayness'. An unwanted spate of injuries in the run up to the fixture has meant the following players are all doubtful; Dave 'Gerrard' Carver (thigh), John Moore (tonsilitis), Paul 'Scratch' Beagle (neck and ankle), Dan Hill (old age) and Christian Sales (waking up in a police cell).
Its not all bad news though as the 4th team do welcome back some long term absentees for the match; Tom 'turn the' Heaton is back to the fore after a season spent in the real world, while Dan Vines returns from his extended loan spell with the Lincolnshire Fire Service. Also returning is Shu Hiong Tan 'Jazz', back with the 4th team after his ill-advised stint in the Malaysian league for what could prove a real awakening as he comes face to face with a reasonable standard of football and less forthcoming members of the sex.
Despite injury worries and a depleted squad manager Glen Wilson is still confident the 4th team can come away with a result. "In the past our preperation has let us down, we've been out 'til all hours while our opponents have been more professionally prepared. This year we have decided to put that right with a later kick off time, and by taking our opponents out on the piss too. Hopefully a joint hangover will help level the playing field somewhat."
University of Lincoln 5ths versus the 4th team kicks off at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday 10th February) on Lincoln's West Common, Carholme Road. A crowd nuding the double figure mark is expected but touchline space is still available. However police and club officials are advising fans to get there early to beat teh horses. A full match report will be available on the 4th team website on Monday evening.
The most eagerly anticipated football event in Lincoln this year is upon us as the Cathedral city welcomes back its favourite footballing mercernaries for the first leg of their 2007 World Tour. Matches in Scotland, Spain and Chesterfield await the 4th team in the year ahead but they have elected to begin their journey in the city they were founded, taking on the University of Lincoln 5th team in an old scholl hungover grudge match.
The 4th team were in resounding form in 2006, suffering just two defeats in twelve months... and one of those was in the quarter finals of the UK National Dodgeball Championships. When the sides last met little could seperate them but for a heavy night out in Scream as they played out an entertaining yet hungover 4-4 draw on Lincoln's West Common in front of a capacity crowd of five people, two children, a dog and a dozen horses. Saturday's re-match looks set to be just as entertaining with the 4th team keen to begin their year on the road with a win.
The 4th team have a number of injury concerns going into this match. Jack Woodlock appears to have recovered from his recent ankle injury, but fellow full-back Joe Burr has pulled out the squad due to a sudden bout of 'gayness'. An unwanted spate of injuries in the run up to the fixture has meant the following players are all doubtful; Dave 'Gerrard' Carver (thigh), John Moore (tonsilitis), Paul 'Scratch' Beagle (neck and ankle), Dan Hill (old age) and Christian Sales (waking up in a police cell).
Its not all bad news though as the 4th team do welcome back some long term absentees for the match; Tom 'turn the' Heaton is back to the fore after a season spent in the real world, while Dan Vines returns from his extended loan spell with the Lincolnshire Fire Service. Also returning is Shu Hiong Tan 'Jazz', back with the 4th team after his ill-advised stint in the Malaysian league for what could prove a real awakening as he comes face to face with a reasonable standard of football and less forthcoming members of the sex.
Despite injury worries and a depleted squad manager Glen Wilson is still confident the 4th team can come away with a result. "In the past our preperation has let us down, we've been out 'til all hours while our opponents have been more professionally prepared. This year we have decided to put that right with a later kick off time, and by taking our opponents out on the piss too. Hopefully a joint hangover will help level the playing field somewhat."
University of Lincoln 5ths versus the 4th team kicks off at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday 10th February) on Lincoln's West Common, Carholme Road. A crowd nuding the double figure mark is expected but touchline space is still available. However police and club officials are advising fans to get there early to beat teh horses. A full match report will be available on the 4th team website on Monday evening.
15 january 2007: 4th team reveal 2007 plans
In a low key press conference held before a hushed computer in a Lincoln bedroom the 4th team today announced their long awaited plans for the year ahead. The big news of course is that 2007 is the year in which the 4th team goes global with the long awaited tour of Spain pencilled in. First up however, is a trip to Lincoln to renew acquitances with the univeristy 5th team with which the 4ths played out an entertaining 4-4 draw in October.
the 4th team's 2007 calendar...
Sat 10 Feb... Match vs University of Lincoln 5ths... at West Common, Lincoln
Wed 18 Apr... Charlie Wilkinson Memorial Tournament... at RMSC, Lincoln
Tue 15 May... Tour Match vs CIS Fuengirola... in Spain
Thu 17 May... Tour Match vs The Three Lions Fuengirola... in Spain
Sat 13 Oct... Match vs University of Lincoln 5ths... in Lincoln
the 4th team's 2007 calendar...
Sat 10 Feb... Match vs University of Lincoln 5ths... at West Common, Lincoln
Wed 18 Apr... Charlie Wilkinson Memorial Tournament... at RMSC, Lincoln
Tue 15 May... Tour Match vs CIS Fuengirola... in Spain
Thu 17 May... Tour Match vs The Three Lions Fuengirola... in Spain
Sat 13 Oct... Match vs University of Lincoln 5ths... in Lincoln
10 october 2006: latest fixture announcement
The football starved public of Lincoln today finally had the news confirmed that their long wait for high class football action was over. To the delight of local football fans the 4th team confirmed that their next fixture would take place in the city this weekend. In another exhibition of the beautiful game the 4th team will take on the newly named University of Lincoln '5ths' on Lincoln's prestigious West Common. The fixture has been scheduled for a 2pm kick off and is sure to attract a crowd approaching double figures to the famous football and equestrian facility.
The 4th team will be looking for a repeat of their last fixture at the Common which saw them defeat local Sunday League heroes AFC West End 4-1 in a Friday night encounter one month ago. However, despite the encouraging football played in that victory, defeat against similar opposition one year ago will not have been forgotten by the 4th team and they will be keen to avoid a similar slip up. "We made a couple of mistakes last year," confirms 4th team joint manager Glen Wilson, "holding the main reunion just twelve hours before kick off being perhaps the key error. However, we've looked at how effective we were once we sobered up and we've taken that into consideration... we've knocked the kick off time back three hours. This way we should be approaching sobrierty from the off... and we are also refusing to let John anywhere near a pair of goalkeeping gloves again."
It seems the 4th team have definately done their homework ahead of this match and so a great contest looks likely to be in store for any present. Entrance to the match is free, but spectators are advised to get down early to avoid the rush and the pre-match traffic.
Saturday 14th October;the 4th team vs University of Lincoln '5ths'... 2pm kick off, Lincoln West Common.
The 4th team will be looking for a repeat of their last fixture at the Common which saw them defeat local Sunday League heroes AFC West End 4-1 in a Friday night encounter one month ago. However, despite the encouraging football played in that victory, defeat against similar opposition one year ago will not have been forgotten by the 4th team and they will be keen to avoid a similar slip up. "We made a couple of mistakes last year," confirms 4th team joint manager Glen Wilson, "holding the main reunion just twelve hours before kick off being perhaps the key error. However, we've looked at how effective we were once we sobered up and we've taken that into consideration... we've knocked the kick off time back three hours. This way we should be approaching sobrierty from the off... and we are also refusing to let John anywhere near a pair of goalkeeping gloves again."
It seems the 4th team have definately done their homework ahead of this match and so a great contest looks likely to be in store for any present. Entrance to the match is free, but spectators are advised to get down early to avoid the rush and the pre-match traffic.
Saturday 14th October;the 4th team vs University of Lincoln '5ths'... 2pm kick off, Lincoln West Common.
8 september 2006: fixture announcement
In a small scale press conference staged in a secret three bedroom house in the west end of Lincoln, the 4th team today announced their latest fixture to an expectant media. As many had hoped the 4th team have confirmed that they will be taking to the field in University of Lincoln Graduation Week. The 4th team will do battle with local Sunday league side, and heroes of the student classes, AFC West End in a prestigious friendly fixture.
As the 4th team have no discernible home ground of their own, such is the life of footballing mercenaries, the match has been scheduled to take place at the home of AFC West End, Lincoln's West Common. The fixture, much the highlight of the footballing calendar so far this season will be controlled by the highly regarded match referee Mr Leroy Egley, with rumours speculating that the impressive fee of four cans of Carling have been requested by the Chesterfield official for his services. Kick off is at 6pm, although despite a high level of interest the match is not all ticket.
Friday 15th September; AFC West End vs the 4th team... @ West Common... 6pm
As the 4th team have no discernible home ground of their own, such is the life of footballing mercenaries, the match has been scheduled to take place at the home of AFC West End, Lincoln's West Common. The fixture, much the highlight of the footballing calendar so far this season will be controlled by the highly regarded match referee Mr Leroy Egley, with rumours speculating that the impressive fee of four cans of Carling have been requested by the Chesterfield official for his services. Kick off is at 6pm, although despite a high level of interest the match is not all ticket.
Friday 15th September; AFC West End vs the 4th team... @ West Common... 6pm
24 august 2006: match postponed
There was wide-spread disapointment in the 4th team squad this afternoon with the announcement that Saturday's proposed match against Worldnet Plate runners-up Donny R'sonists had been cancelled. Unfortunately the R'sonists were struggling to field a squad and as such the match ahs had to be scrapped.
The 4th team management is now looking to arrange a fixture in Lincoln for Graduation Week; mid September. Further details of these fixture are likely to follow over the next week.
The 4th team management is now looking to arrange a fixture in Lincoln for Graduation Week; mid September. Further details of these fixture are likely to follow over the next week.
2 august 2006: 4th team season plans unveiled
The 4th team today unveiled their 2006-2007 season plans. The 4ths currently have four outings pencilled into their calendar, with further dates to be added in the coming weeks. Speaking exclusively to himself, while passers-by made an effort to walk as far away from him as possible, 4th team manager commented; "I expect to be able to add more engagements to that schedule before the end of the month; and its fair to say that they won't all necessarily be restricted to football".
Saturday 26th August 2006: the 4th team vs Donny R'sonists... in Lincoln*
Saturday 14th October 2006: the 4th team vs University of Lincoln 4ths... in Lincoln
April 2007:the 4th team @ The Charlie Wilkinson Memorial Trophy... in Lincoln
May 2007: the 4th team on tour... Malaga, Spain*
* to be confirmed
Saturday 26th August 2006: the 4th team vs Donny R'sonists... in Lincoln*
Saturday 14th October 2006: the 4th team vs University of Lincoln 4ths... in Lincoln
April 2007:the 4th team @ The Charlie Wilkinson Memorial Trophy... in Lincoln
May 2007: the 4th team on tour... Malaga, Spain*
* to be confirmed
21 april 2006: 4th team launch new kit
In a lavish ceremony held in one of Lincoln's top student union based office facilities the 4th team today unveiled their brand spanking new kit. An array of top models were on hand to show off the pics to the waiting media, but unfortunately they left early so this sneak preview is brought to you courtesy of manager Glen Wilson some rogue props and a camera phone.