We are gathered here today......

[Matt Hallam]

To pay our final respects to our beloved team mate Ian Addison-Smith as he passes over to the other side.

Ian Addison-Smith, or little Ian as he came to be known, joined Bridge Inn FC early on in the 2004/05 season after we beat Beeston Rovers to his signature in a long winded transfer battle. He made his first appearance for the club when he came off the bench in the 5-2 home defeat against Royal Oak on 26 September 2004. He made his full debut the following Sunday when he played in the 3-1 away defeat against Park Tavern Cinderhill at Melbourne Park. From these humble beginnings developed the player we’ve all come to love. If it’s not for the fact that whenever he has the ball he develops a problem in his neck which prevents him looking up then it’s for the regular cries of ‘Git in’ as a shot sails harmlessly over the bar.

Not quite blonde, not quite ginger, our talented wide player has had to take considerable stick over the course of the last two seasons. Normally for his pronunciation of the name ‘Larnce’ (honestly it does have an r in it) to having his nose broken in our cup game earlier this season against Urban Social.

Ian has scored many important goals for the club but his first came in the now infamous cup game against Elwes Arms on 24 October 2004. The goal description for that glorious strike read, “Mark Hemp supplied the flick on and Ian Addison-Smith bundled the ball home from close range”. Unfortunately the game ended in defeat 2-6.

His final appearance came in the 3-5 defeat away versus Wellington OB on Sunday 19 March 2006.

Is anyone else seeing a pattern in the results here? Despite this Ian become the proud winner of the 2004/05 Players’ Player of the season award.

Final career stats achieved by Ian Addison-Smith are as follows:

Appearances – 45
Goals – 12
Games per goal – 3.75
Assists – 14
Man of the match awards – 5
Average rating – 6.59/10

Thanks for everything Ian.

Now piss off!!!!!!!

[Beeston Rovers FC]

What's this about beating us to the signature of this player I have never even tryed to get him at our club

[Little Ian]

Football never changes does it? A player snubs a club and they turn around and say they never really wanted him anyway. Saved them having to fork out for a player of the year trophy I suppose.

Anyways, thank you for my official goodbye, it is very kind. I'd like to think that I've done enough to enter the club's hall of fame in some way or other. In all seriousness I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club for making we feel so welcome and giving me some priceless memories of my time here in Nottingham.

I'm glad I got to witness a Harry goal, a goalkeeper scoring from beyond the halfway line, a record breaking season from Mark, our top scorer being relegated (sorry promoted) to goalkeeper and just general all round brilliant changing room banter! Unfortunately, never got to see a Matt Hallam goal (do they exist I wonder?!).

I'll miss Latoque FC for sure and hopefully I'll get the chance to return, albeit as linesman, in the future.

In the meantime, I'd like to wish every single member of the team all the best both privately and footballing wise. Hopefully, you'll do enough to finish fourth and have a successful season next year.

Remember, keep it SIMPLE!

Up the blues!

Git in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beeston Rovers FC]

Im sorry Ian but i've been running Beeston Rovers from the start for all these years and I don't remember trying to sign you.The only players that we were ment to be trying to sign is a player who play's for La Toque that works with one of our players Sean Day that is the only one that I know about. All other players that have ever signed for us are either people I know or players from my cousin team Chilwell F.C or that have replied to any add that have put in the Evening Post.