Wrong Club Says Nash

Rovers Chairman George Nash said today that he felt strongly that Wellington player Chris Killen had signed for the wrong club. "There are two great teams in Glasgow and they are Rangers and Rangers Reserves" said Nash "I'm don't know much about the side that Killen has signed for but if I'm any judge they don't look up to much". Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said that he thought Killen had signed for a club in the wrong country as further time in Scotland wouldn't help his game. "I fear for Chris as he reached the high point of his career when he played for Port Vale" said Hall "I suspect it will be one long slide as long as he plays in Scotland where the highlight of his season will be to play Rangers". Hall said Killen was welcome to join Zephyr Rovers on his eventual return to Wellington. "He's in our plans as regards the target to be the best team in Wellington by 30 June 2030" said Hall.

No Change In The Boardroom

Zephyr Rovers Chairman George Nash said there would be no changes in the boardroom after Rovers crashed out of the Division 3 semi-final. "You can't blame the board for missing a penalty" said Nash "and frankly the sort of thing boards do best are governance, which is a code word for drinking wine in flash establishments". Nash said Rovers were perhaps the best governed team in Division 3. "Most of the teams in the league can barely manage to wear shirts the same colour" said Nash "and here we are with sponsorship and a sponsored kit". Nash said reports were that the sponsor would have liked a trophy in the cabinet but were still keen to back the team. "We seem to be regularly on the front page of Search Wellington website" said Nash "and the lads are seen in pubs all over town so the brand has high visibility".

Rebuilding?

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said that the club would not be actively looking for new players for the new season. "We'll be sticking with the current squad and only look to fill gaps if people drop out" said Hall "we've got a good combination and will only benefit from staying together for another season in Division 3". Hall said it was one thing to play well during the regular season but inevitably the standard raised in the knock out rounds so teams needed that something extra when it came to the semi-finals. "Just because you beat a team in the round robin doesn't mean they'll play the same line up in the semi-final" said Hall "you need to play your squad during the season but ensure you have your best line up for the big games". Hall said injuries could impact on a team and the loss of Ben White (pictured) had been a key in defence. "We've probably got quite a few players who can play up front, but we could do with a strong defender for when Eddie and Ben aren't both available" Hall said he also hoped Craig Candy would be able to play a few more games next season.

Shoot Out At Shed 6

Zephyr Rovers were controversially eliminated from the Division 3 play-offs after a penalty shoot out with Rothenbury Rangers. "We finished 5 - 5 in all sorts of confusion after the referee disallowed two perfectly good goals to Rovers" said Zephyr Manager Steve Hall "several of the Rothenbury players actually were surprised to find out they hadn't lost". Hall said that the penalty shoot out consisted of one kick apiece and Rothenbury converted and Rovers didn't. "It's a tough way to go out but we can be proud of our first season in Division 3 and we know we're not far off the pace" said Hall "indeed were were 5 - 3 up and just couldn't finish them off with that killer last goal". Hall said there wasn't much between the top teams and had Craig Candy not been a late withdrawal, Rovers might have qualified for the final. "We'll be back for more next season" said Hall "and players like Eddie Hussey (pictured) playing with a heavy cold show the commitment of the team". Hall said it was very close but Rovers would now have to get up for the third place play-off.

Final: Rovers 5 Rangers 5
(Rangers progress on penalties)

"No Pressure" Says Nash

Zephyr Chairman George Nash said he was feeling no pressure going into the semi-final clash tomorrow with Rothenbury Rangers. "I've had a fairly quiet weekend analysing tapes on TV" said Nash "and tomorrow I'm confident we'll be going out and taking it to Rangers, providing everyone is available who was selected". Nash said it was his first season with Rovers and therefore his first semi-final. "Rovers have a record to date of reaching every semi-final" said Nash "and to do that again whilst having being promoted four divisions is an accomplishment in itself". Nash said he'd be starting off the bench but thought he could make a contribution on the field as well as in the Boardroom. The games kicks off in Shed 6 at noon.

"Crude Fake" Says Smith

Former Rover and Australian Scout Charlie Smith said today the photo of him wearing a Saints shirt was a crude fake. "I know I made a bet that I'd wear a scum shirt for a day" said Smith "but one seriously thinks I'm going to keep my word on this one do they?". Smith said his dislike of "the scum" was possibly even stronger than his like for Pompey. "I can only think of one thing you'd want to do with a Scum shirt" said Smith "and let's just say you wouldn't print it in a newspaper or put it on a web site". Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said that Smith was clearly all talk when it came to honouring his commitments. "We're looking forward to seeing the genuine photo but at this stage aren't sure that Charlie will be going through with it". Former Rovers player Chris Riddle said he thought the Saints shirt looked very stylish "except on Smith".

Smith Not Coming

Charlie Smith put his return visit to Wellington on ice today saying he'd decided to go to Melbourne instead. "I was going to go to Wellington but then I thought Melbourne sounded like it had a better climate" said Smith "so I won't be coming back to Wellington at this stage". Zephyr Manager Steve Hall said it was perhaps best for Smith and Rovers that he had decided on Melbourne over Wellington. "Charlie would have inevitably called for a late night but would of course slipped away early in the evening" said Hall "that would have left me and George out on the town at a time when our training regimes mean we should be taking it quietly". Hall said with Pompey finishing lower in their respective league than the Saints, Smith had lost a bet and would have to wear a Southampton shirt for a day. "We reckon he'll renege on the bet" suggested Hall "but we're sure the pictures will be published on the blog if we ever get our hands on them".