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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 01 February 2007 |
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Where are they Now? With Dagenham riding high in the conference the Upminster Daggers look at the last time they came close to promotion at the Play-off Final against Doncaster and look at what happened to the players and also to the Upminster Daggers!
Dagenham and Redbridge | Tony Roberts | | - Former QPR stopper Roberts played a crucial role in the Daggers 02/03 campaign. Did not have his best game in the final, but we will remember him that day for his crowd surfing efforts after our equalising goal!!! | | | | - Robbo remains at the club to this day, one of only 3 who remain from the Play Off Squad. Still producing the goods between the sticks and more importantly still entertaining our fans, and winding up the opposition's with his crazy antics. A Daggers legend!! | | | | | | Tarkan Mustafa | | - Tarks joined the club during the 02/03 season and made an instant impression. Fast and strong, he did an excellent job during the play off campaign. Scored an excellent equaliser in the Play Off Final to take the game to extra time. | | | | - Stayed for the 03/04 season and sometimes looked like he was playing the whole opposition team on his own, what with some of the other dross that played that year. Apparently didn't get on with John Still and so left at end of season, and sadly, as with some others further down the list, lowered himself and took the money at Hornchurch. Was injured there when it all went so horribly wrong there, and later joined Aldershit Town. Never really settled there and was rumours of him returning to the Daggers but it never happened. Played briefly for Thurrock and is currently playing for Eastleigh in the Conference South | | | | | | Lee Goodwin | | - Lee joined the Daggers from West Ham in 1998 and played a crucial role in their success just after the turn of the century. Did a solid job as always in the Final against Doncaster. | | | | - Another one of the 3 players still with the club, Lee has suffered from a number of injuries in recent seasons. Has played in a few positions at the back and in midfield, and always gives 100% to the cause. A great ambassador for the club, with his coaching work and other things. Was also rumoured to have opened a local Supermarket at some point. Unconfirmed?? | | | | | | Tim Cole | | - Tim was at the time the club's longest serving player (and still is!!). Suffered injuries during the 01/02 and 02/03 seasons which limited his appearances at that time. Used upfront at end of Play Off Semi at Morecambe, a day which put him into legendary status. | | | | - Still at the club, and still suffering injuries which limit his appearances. When he is involved always gives 110% which endears him to the fans, especially the Upminster Daggers. Antics as sub after Rushden game and at half time in Woking game ensure he remains a fans favourite!!! | | | | | | Lee Matthews | | - An inspiration to the Daggers side around the time of their success. One of the best Centre Halves in the non-league game at the time, and a superb ambassador for the club in all the time he was with us. | | | | - Stayed with the club for the start of the next season, but then took up the offer of a Full Time offer at Hornchurch. Fair enough to take the Full Time offer, but could he not have done better than Hornchurch?? Money talks I guess!!! Suffered when the money ran out there and soon ended up at Grays (nearly as bad as Hornchurch!!!). Suffered serious injuries and had to call an end to his career as a footballer. Had a Testimonial game at start of this season and we wish him the best with his new career. | | | | | | Mark Janney | | - Mark was another important member of the side during this succesful period. However, many from outside the club will remember him for his exploits in the famous FA Cup runs of this era. Did not have his best of games in the Play Off final. | | | | - Mark stayed at the club for another two years and on his day was still a top player. However, he struggled to stay free of injuries and after a couple of seasons joined Purfleet, sorry Thurrock. Played against us in the 05/06 Trophy game but then lowered himself even further by following Colin McBride to the now "AFC" Hornchurch. Is currently starring for them in the Ryman 1 Pub League North. | | | | | | Paul Terry | | - Despite some of the Daggers faithful failing to see it, PT was one of our best performers in this succesful era. Also scored one of our most unforgettable goals with his Play Off Semi Final goal at Morecambe. Did not have his best game in the final, but as always gave 100% | | | | -PT stayed for the start of the next season before leaving for Yeovil Town. If the rumours of the fee are true then PT was let go for a ridiculously low price!!! When he went we realised how much he had done, and missed him greatly. Still at Yeovil now, and is still in the 1st team squad, although has not appeared this season with the frequency of the last 2. | | | | | | Danny Shipp | | - Shippy was a bit of enigma at times. Could look awful, unfit and hopeless, and then score a screamer from 30 yards!!!! Garry Hill turned him into a central midfielder, although we could never see why. Played poorly in final which showed his limiations, but a bit of a cult figure at Victoria Road throughout his stay | | | | | | | | - Stayed at the club for the 03/04 season but was in decline and was not always in the starting XI. Faded out through that season before turning up in 04/05 at, surprise surprise Hornchurch!!!!! When things went pear shaped there he did stay on there for a while, and all credit to him for that, before playing briefly for Leyton in the Ryman Premier League before ending up the season after with Mr Hill at Weymouth. Didn't seem to figure to much there and has apparently now retired. Last spotted in Brannigans in Romford!!!! | | | | | | John McGrath | | - "Rory" was one of the finds of the Hill era. Came on a season long loan from Villa and was excellent. In an earlier league game with Donnie put in one of the best individual performances I have seen for the Daggers in recent times. Another player not at his best in Play Off final. | | | | | | | | - Ironically after being released permanently by Villa, joined Doncaster the following season!!! Things didn't work out there though and he soon moved to Kidderminster before moving back to Ireland to play for Limerick. Was then another to join Garry Hill on the South Coast at Weymouth since leaving there has played or been linked with just about every non-league club around!!! Currently pulling on the red of Tamworth in the Nationwide Conference, and judging by TV appearance against Norwich, appears to have put on a few pounds!!!! | | | | | | Mark Stein | | -Mark joined the Daggers at the start of the 01/02 campaign and became an instant hit at the club. His goals over two and a bit years very nearly fired us into the Football League, and he was on the mark again in the Play Off Final. | | | | | | | | - Mark continued playing for the Daggers at the start of the 03/04 season. He then left the club in contriversial circurmstances after a supposed comment made by Garry Hill. It is not for us to comment on any of this on here!!!! He apparently played for Waltham Abbey or Waltham Forest (not sure which!!!) later that season before seemingly dropping out of the game entirely. Then re-appeared this season as assistant at Grays to former Daggers physio Dicky Harper. Left there are a couple of weeks though. | | | | | | Steve West | | - Steve joined us from Woking towards the end of the 01/02 season and his approach made him a hit with the Daggers fans. Could operate as either centre half or centre forward and it was as a forward where he played in the Play Off Final. Will probably be remembered for missing a header from 6 yards which could have fired us into the Football League!!! Fist!!!! | | | | | | | | | | | | - Before the start of the following season Steve chased the money and went for the bright lights of Hornchurch, calling them then new Rushden and Diamonds of non league football!!!!! When things collapsed there Westy wasted no time in jumping ship for another pay day at Chav Athletic. This went down well with the Rushden, sorry Hornchurch supporters. When Grays also realised he was a tosser he ended up at Leyton before starting this season at East Thurrock. Upset everyone there (apparently over a dodgy tracksuit) and has since ended up at Eastleigh, who happen to be another club paying silly wages. Good old Westy!!!! | | | | | | Ashley Vickers | | - Ash joined the club towards the end of the 99/00 season and his 100% attitude soon endeared him to everyone at the club. Played a crucial role in the successes of the next few seasons. Injuries and suspensions saw him miss out at the end of the 02/03 season and he was on the bench for the Play Off Final. | | | | | | | | - Ash stayed with the club for three more seasons after the Play Offs. He played a crucial role helping a number of youngsters in the side after John Still took over. Being a teacher Ash was rightly sceptical about going full time with the club, and so at the end of the 05/06 season he sadly left the club. He then struck a deal with Garry Hill and moved to Conference rivals Weymouth where he was a regular in the side until their financial issues came out a few weeks back. Has yet to decide his next move within football. | | | | | | Steve Heffer | | - A solid performer for the club through the Garry Hill era. Heff formed a great midfield partnership with Paul Terry, although sometimes their games could be a little similar. Tended to miss out in the play off season as Shippy was used more in midfield, and thus found himself on the bench for the Play Off Final. | | | | | | | | - Left the club at the end of the Play Off Season, a decision that Garry Hill publicly said he regretted. Went to neighbours Thurrock and played in their side who knocked us out of the FA Cup in late 2003. After 3 seasons there he moved to Billericay and is still there now playing either centre half or central midfield in team guided by ex Daggers Matt Jones and Jason Broom. | | | | | | Mark Smith | | - Mark joined the club on the eve of the 01/02 season from Stevenage and went on to be one of the squads most dependable players in the next two seasons. With us being lucky enough to have several top quality centre halves available, Mark missed out on a starting place in the Play Off Final. | | | | | | | | - Mark continued to play at the club in the next season, but left after the same incident which led to Mark Stein leaving the club. Had a couple of clubs, including a spell back at Stevenage, before ending up at Boreham Wood. Helped them to reach the semi finals of the FA Trophy in 2006 and is still skipper there now, at the age of 38!!! | | | | | | Danny Hill | | - Former Tottenham player Danny joined the club in 2001. Many felt that over the next two seasons he was never really given a real run in the side. Always looked a quality player when he did play, but maybe wasn't suited to our style of play. Only made the bench for the Play Off Final. | | | | | | | | - Danny stayed with the Daggers for another season before being yet another to end up at Hornchurch. Danny stayed on for a while there after the collapse before departing. Went on to play for Heybridge and Leyton before ending up at Billericay where he remains now. | | | | | | Paul Gothard | | - Goth came back to the club for a second spell under Garry Hill. With Robbo established between the posts Goth's opportunities were very limited in this spell. However, he was always an able deputy when called upon, and a good bloke to have around the club. | | | | | | | | - Goth left the club after the Play Off Final and went to Thurrock. Was another player who was part of their team who knocked us out of the FA Cup in 2003. I believe Goth has now emigrated to New Zealand!!! | | | | | | | | | | | | | Upminster Daggers | | | | | Paul Middlemiss | | - Originally started watching the club in it's Redbridge Forest days. Was a regular for both home and away games in the Garry Hill era and especially during the march to the Play Off Finals | | | | | | | | - Still following the Daggers home and away with many of the other Upminster Daggers. Regular contributor to the Upminster Daggers website. Incurs the displeasure of girlfriend Caren regularly for time and money spent travelling round the country in the name of football!!!! | | | | | | Stewart Hammond | | - Stew started following the Daggers shortly after the merger in 1992 and was a regular in the early seasons. Played a decent level of non - league football himself which restricted his attendance in the late 90's but when this ended through injury he was a regular again during the Garry Hill era | | | | | | | | - Another still showing loyalty and commitment to the Daggers cause. Still attending regularly home and away and can normally be heard in the sieve on home match days. Occasionally misses games to go to Chelsea or Arsenal, apparently in the name of Business!!!!! | | | | | | Matt Chapman | | - Another who began watching Redbridge Forest in the early 90s, and once receieved a mouthful from Mario Walsh after hurling abuse at him. Was a crucial figure in the Upminster Daggers travel arrangements through the Garry Hill era, when his excellent driving skills were often used for long distance journeys!!!! | | | | | | | | - After the 02/03 season did spend a couple of seasons alternating between the Daggers and playing hockey on a Saturday. However, this season came to his senses and is back to his loyal best, racking up around 25 Daggers games attended for the season by early January!!! | | | | | | Jeff Thomas | | - Another who began watching the club when it was Redbridge Forest in the early 90s, Jeff was a real regular at this time (pre girlfriend era!!!!). Travelled to Morecambe for the Play Off Semi Final and also to the Final. | | | | | | | | - What has become of Jeff!?!?!? Rarely seen these days, living miles away (in Whitechapel!!!) makes it difficult to get to games!!!! Has attended a couple of games this season, and has threatened to jump back on the bandwagon as we are doing well. Always phones or text for a match report in fairness to him, but his behaviour these days is generally poor!!!! | | | | | | Nick Haunton | | - Local hockey star and International Playboy, Nick came to a few games in the Garry Hill era, with his long time friend Skippy. Always good for a few beers and laugh, you always sensed Nick would be more at home in the Axe (his favourite "pub") than he was standing on the North Terrace!!! | | | | | | | | - Not seen at a Daggers game since the Play Off Final. Still playing hockey on a Saturday which has limited his chances of attendance, but has also been jet setting round the Globe on various occasions!!!! Still living in the Upminster area he recently joined us in the Yeoman for a few beers. | | | | | | Rob White | | - Browns was another to start following the club in the Garry Hill era, he soone became a real regular at home and away games, despite his young age at the time. Was a regular in the 02/03 season, and although missed the Play Off Semi, he was in attendance for the Final. | | | | | | | | - Lots of strange behaviour from Browns since the Play Off Final, including the infamous "messy" chicken suit incident (hence the nickname!?!?) Flirted with the idea of following Hornchurch (before being threatened out of it!!) he is now a regular most of the time, at both home and away games. However, is prone to dissappearing completely for weeks, and not answering his phone, mainly when he is either skint, or being told what to do by the lovely Fiona!!! | | | | | | Will Murphy | | - Rat Lad was another to jump on the bandwagon around the time of the Play Offs. A good lad who would always took the banter in good humour he was starting to become a regular in the 02/03 season. | | | | | | | | - Yet another to choose running around an astro turf pitch in the freezing cold, to standing watching the Daggers….in the freezing cold!!! Is starting to drift back a little this season, and recently attended the away games at Morecambe and Grays | | | | | | Scott Hammond | | - At the time, the youngster was beginning to catch the Daggers bug, attending many games during the run-in. Like most of the youngsters, the play off game was his first proper day out. | | | | | | | | - Unfortunately the promise hasnt continued as flirtations with QPR and more worryingly, shopping, have curtailed his appearences. Is always good value for a couple of games a season and will undoubtedly be seen during the promothion push this time around……………… | | | | | | Chris Abrey | | - You won't meet a friendlier lad than Fatbrey. A top bloke who used to attend Daggers games when he could, which was not to often as he was often playing hockey. Used to make the effort to attend midweek and Bank Holiday games. | | | | | | | | - Chris continued to attend midweek games after the Play Offs, and even this season has been to a few games. Is away at Leicester Uni for most of the time though, so is not normally around. | | | | | | Ian Loman | | - Back in the day, "The Loman" became a bit of a lucky charm attending many of the games in the run up to the play off. His main reason for attendence was to count the balls flying out of the ground!!!! | | | | | | | | - Rarely been seen since that season, in any capacity, although rumoured to still be a purveyor of the noble art of queer sticking. Has been seen Upminster, and still asks after the Daggers. Getting married in Vegas in June. | | | | | | David Skipworth | | - Skippy started to attend Daggers games in 2001, after his wife started working for someone at the club (I can't remember who). He was not normally seen for away games, but made a special effort for this one. Provided everyone with a dreadful selection of music for the journey. | | | | | | | | - Still attending Daggers home games regularly, and a few away ones, until a few weeks ago, when he moved to Las Vegas for a couple of years. Is still threatening to fly back for any crucial games in the Title Race!!! | | | | | | Rob Tuffee | | - "The Count" became a Daggers regular in 00/01 and was soon attending most games, both home and away. Always willing to drive to away games he provided transport for the Play Off Semi Final at Morecambe. | | | | | | | | - The less said about Rob's attendance at the Daggers these days the better!!!! Even home games seem a struggle for the once most ardent and loyal of fans!!!! In recent weeks has made a renewed effort for home games, but several up and coming away trips see his name missing from the attendees list!!!! | | | | | | Kevin Roome | | - Upminster's richest man swapped the pain of a West Ham season ticket for a Daggers one during the Garry Hill era (which happened to be when he started having to pay adult prices!!!). Soon became hooked and attended numerous home and away games. | | | | | | | | - Not to be put off by the Daggers play off misery, "Doggy" continued to attend pretty much all games, home and away, and this season has been no different. The technological brains behind the Upminster Daggers wonderful website!?!?!?! | | | | | | Paul Scott | | - 4th XI hockey legend Scotty attended quite a few games around this time, and must be given great credit for driving the mini-bus to the Play Off Final. Did a brilliant job, especially on the way back when everyone else was to distraught to talk!!!! | | | | | | | | - Appearances since have been a little sparce, although he famously attended a game last season where he stored a Dagger Burger (cheese, onions, ketchup and all) in his coat pocket, to eat in the second half!!!! | | | | | | Russell Murphy | | - The Penguin was never really a Daggers follower, but came along for the Big Match experience, and contributed to the good humour of the day!!! | | | | - Fortunately for those who like their ear drums as they are, Russ has hardly been to a Daggers game since. Concentrates more on his hockey these days, although did randomly attend the LDV Vans game at QPR a couple of years back. | |
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