This weekend I return from PNG to attend the annual Back to Normo Day and watch a Premier League match being played there at Normo. (Weather Permitting)

I was privileged enough to play with Normanhurst when they entered into Premier League in its 2nd year in 1978, as a young 17 year old First Grade Keeper.

The first match was against Meadowbank United who were all former players from levels way above local GHFA Premier League, these guys ran rings around our guys who were at the time the U/21 State Champions.

I still have vivid memories of Paul Daley and his mates taking shots from everywhere outside the penalty box, 9 shots made the net, 25 were saved, we were outgunned and outclassed by a team of guys who drank at Mary's pub down at West Ryde, but knew how to play the game!

A few years later Paul joined West Pennant Hills P/L Team and he could still hold up a ball with players all around him trying to tackle him and he still was able to offload the pass, heaven help anyone who fouled or hacked him !

When refereeing Premier League I was able to watch and observe the successful teams and self discipline was the key to the good teams, the ones that never complained about decisions,they just accepted and got on with the game, yes referees are humans and mistakes are made, hopefully not too many and hopefully not howlers, but football is a funny game where even ups can and do happen....

If you happen to be at Normo this Saturday come and say G'Day, I will be the big guy with the GHFRA 15 years Service jacket on, if not look for my report on Monday. 

Hate to break it to you pal but Normo suck arse this year. Won't be impressed with the quality I'm telling u

They beat WPH 

Wph wrote:
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>They beat WPH 

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Did you collect your Beat WPH souvenir shirt and get a team picture after the game? Can put it up in the grandstand. "2024- Beat WPH"

Wph wrote:
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>>They beat WPH 

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yep.. they are a spent force after that

Bit of a mid flex. WPH aren't the benchmark team anymore. WRR and EEW are the scalps you want if you wanna claim anything. 

Don't jump the gun. WPH are still the benchmark and the team to beat. We're half way through the season, they haven't met WRR yet and could go ahead of EEW this weekend.

Its like Man City. You like for the teams that have been there and done it when the pressure is on at the business end of the season. Full credit to WRR and EEW for their form and results so far but also remember when numbers bite in later stages f the year you look at strong ressie sides to step up and that has helped WPH every year and this year looos no different.

Intriguing battle and nice not to see a one horse race

Swanee,

Normo came in for one season in 1978 then dropped out not to appear again until 1988.

I would have played against you that season.

Swanee wrote:
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>This weekend I return from PNG to attend the annual Back to Normo Day and watch a Premier League match being played there at Normo. (Weather Permitting)

>I was privileged enough to play with Normanhurst when they entered into Premier League in its 2nd year in 1978, as a young 17 year old First Grade Keeper.

>The first match was against Meadowbank United who were all former players from levels way above local GHFA Premier League, these guys ran rings around our guys who were at the time the U/21 State Champions.

>I still have vivid memories of Paul Daley and his mates taking shots from everywhere outside the penalty box, 9 shots made the net, 25 were saved, we were outgunned and outclassed by a team of guys who drank at Mary's pub down at West Ryde, but knew how to play the game!

>A few years later Paul joined West Pennant Hills P/L Team and he could still hold up a ball with players all around him trying to tackle him and he still was able to offload the pass, heaven help anyone who fouled or hacked him !

>When refereeing Premier League I was able to watch and observe the successful teams and self discipline was the key to the good teams, the ones that never complained about decisions,they just accepted and got on with the game, yes referees are humans and mistakes are made, hopefully not too many and hopefully not howlers, but football is a funny game where even ups can and do happen....

>If you happen to be at Normo this Saturday come and say G'Day, I will be the big guy with the GHFRA 15 years Service jacket on, if not look for my report on Monday. 

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