Want to know who plays for Civil Service Filos F.C.? Well even if you don't, this page provides a bit of background into the
personalities that make up C.S. Filos F.C. Where available the Q&As have
been followed up with a detailed commentary authored by Jim Lawrence.
Q&AName
Name
Jamie Campbell McNeil
Nickname
Sweatster. Sweats. Sweaty sock. Sweatmeister.
Age
35
Birthplace
Edinburgh
Height
5’8”
Position
Centre Midfield (not left hand side and not in the hole behind the centre forward)
Joined Civil Service
Filos
2005
Other clubs
Edina Hibs, Leyton Wingate, Cardiff University 1st X1, Welsh Students, Odd Down, Kingsmead, British Embassy Tigers Washington DC. Mighty CS Filos.
1st equal (Jaws and Alive) - You’ve all seen both films but read the books.
football team
Blue Brazilians -The mighty Glasgow Rangers
food
Malteasers
film
Grease (saw it eight times at the cinema)
drink
Guinness
pop idols
Robbie Williams (so what if he is gay)
politics
New Labour (Less corrupt than the Tories)
all time heroes
Super Ally McCoist- 500 plus goals for one team!
night out
Currently? Anywhere with Rets and Kenny
Local football
Best moments
Hat trick in semi final for Kingsmead when we were 3-1 down and also winning all four including Somerset cup in one season for Kingsmead.
Worst moments
Last week when we lost.
Aspirations
Win the cup this season.
Football
Best moments
Training with Hearts reserves and coaching in the USA.
Worst moments
The day I realised I was not being good enough to make it pro.
Life
Best moments
Between 6pm and 8pm with my two boys every day during the week. Getting qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Meeting my wife. Recent birth of my baby daughter.
Worst moments
Seeing my two boys in intensive care after they were born.
Aspirations
Become an Equity Partner. Run a marathon. Have an internet sideline that makes me money while I sleep.
Own Comments
Always work harder.
Commentary Coming Soon!
Q&AName
Name
Steve Retford
Nickname
Retters, Rettsi
Age
34
Birthplace
South Shields
Height
5’10”
Position
Any way up
Joined Civil Service
Filos
2005
Other clubs
Bristol City, Bath City, Western Super Mare,
Frome, Odd Down, Cambridge City, Histon Town, Welsh Universities, British
Students.
Favourite
single
Cant remember
album
Jack Johnson’s new album
book
Four irons in the soul (Story about Ross
Drummonds’ Caddy) A right riveting read.
football team
Sunderland
food
Fish
film
Any of the Austin Powers Films
drink
Guinness
pop idols
Freddie
politics
All B******s
all time heroes
Noddy
night out
Huntsman
Local football
Best moments
Making home debut for Bath City against Worcester City + Playing
in 2nd Round of the FA cup on telly.
Worst moments
Breaking Leg
Aspirations
Owning my own football club
Football
Best moments
Euro 96 When Gazza scored against Scotland. I was drinking in a
Welsh pub with lots of Gogs giving us English stick.
Worst moments
Every Season that Sunderland get relegated
Life
Best moments
Marrying Lou and having seventeen children
Worst moments
None
Aspirations
Growing my hair.
Own Comments
“On me head son”.“Pull it”.“Square
it”.“Lay it”.“Kick the bloody thing”.“Oh for F*** Sake what going on with our
defence”
Any by Bob Marley, Prince (375k), Steely Dan or dark hard acid house mixes (tapes of course)
book
Germinal: Zola / Sweet Thursday: Steinbeck / All That Is Solid Melts Into Air: Bermann
football team
The Arsenal (born and bred)
food
Chicken, Rice and Peas
film
Goodfellas, Toy Story, Tampopo, Life of Brian
drink
Kroneborg, Gin & Tonic, Mama Juana
pop idols
Madonna – credit where credit’s due
politics
Karl Marx meets Howard Marks meets Malcolm X meets Mandela
all time heroes
Global: Martin Luther King Local: ‘The Missis’ Football: Pele & Rocky Rocastle
night out
In my kitchen with friends, tunes and the rest – until the sun comes up…
Local football
Best moments
Scoring goals in 3 different Cup Finals – all won (click for 2005 vid - 1500k)/ Representing the club in the
Mavis Tate winning side & scoring twice in the first 5 minutes v. Westgate in ‘96
Managing the club to promotion and cup double last season
Unearthing young talent – Barkero, Bliss, Tabines, Tommy Whizz & Carlos
'
Worst moments
Knee, back and pelvis injuries + loosing half our squad last summer
Aspirations
Leaving the club in a strong state, to retire gracefully and to line up against
Marky B, Shorty or Joey Quinn one last time
Football
Best moments
Arsenal’s 88/89 season – especially away at West Ham ‘where’s your famous ICF?’
- soon found out, and ‘It’s up for grabs now ….. Thomas!!!’ priceless.
Worst moments
Has to be Hillsborough, Abramovich & Glazier, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Life
Best moments
Getting married, having kids, living in New York and buying our house.
Worst moments
Long-term back pain, Barcelona ’97 and unemployment.
Aspirations
To help as many kids around the world through my work, learning Spanish and being able to do simple DIY without cocking it up.
Own Comments
What a journey – thanks to the lads for the opportunity to manage this great club through this 2-year contract. Last year was a special adventure into the wilds of the Trowbridge League, we did the business but it wasn’t to last. In June ’06 we almost folded, yet 6 months later we reach another cup final – it’s been emotional. I’d like to thank all of you connected with the club for your commitment on and off the pitch, especially Spud for last season, Jason Pleat for this season and this amazing website, Sven for being Sven and our sponsors. What happens next? Well I’m under doctors orders to hang up the boots – but you’ve got me in charge (with support from the virtual boot room – you know who you are) until the summer, let’s see what we can do by then – another cup and promotion double - Why not?
Commentary Coming Soon!
Q&A
Name
Matthew Lapham
Nickname
None (that'll soon change!)
Age
18
Birthplace
WSBA RAF Akrotiri
Height
6'
Position
Goalkeeper
Joined Civil Service Filos
August 2005
Other clubs
Bath City Youth
Favourite
single
When September Ends (Greenday)
album
Supercharged
book
Karma Sutra
football team
Bath City
food
Chicken Chop Suey
film
Dog Soldiers
drink
Fosters
pop idols
Will Young
politics
Lib Dem
all time heroes
Banana Man
night out
Going on the p***
Local football
Best moments
Saving a 20 yard shot against Chew Valley
'
Worst moments
Letting a goal bound shot go through my hand AND legs against Stothert & Pitt
Aspirations
To score a goal
Football
Best moments
Invading the pitch against Barnet in the 1st round of the FA Cup
Worst moments
Losing 5-0 to Bristol City
Life
Best moments
Cliff diving
Worst moments
Missing the water!
Aspirations
Get my own house.
Own Comments
Not provided.
Commentary Coming Soon!
Q&A
Name
Sam Tabiner
Nickname
TABINES, The Man, Mr T, Ace, (prat!)
Age
25
Birthplace
Birmingham (Not my fault obviously…)
Height
5’8 ½” (that half makes all the difference)
Position
Meant to be Right Midfield, but also Left and central, + Forward and Right or left back!!!
Joined Civil Service Filos
2003
Other clubs
Bath Spa University, Hope Cove, Kingsbridge and Marlborough, Salcombe
Blow, Fifth Element, Spaceballs, Bowling for Columbine, The Usual Suspects (I’ll stop Now!!)
drink
Lager or a nice Pimms (Poof!)
pop idols
Don’t do POP!
politics
Peace and Love man
all time heroes
Sir Norman Foster, Sir Richard Branson
night out
Bar, pub food and Sport on the TV (preferably England winning something)
Local football
Best moments
Goal of the season last year. You should have seen it, oh my god!!!
'
Worst moments
Not playing much last season coz I was fat and lazy
Aspirations
I just wanna play and have fun
Football
Best moments
Scoring from the half way line
Worst moments
Being knocked out by one of me old teams goalie (no not on purpose, well maybe!!)
Life
Best moments
Meeting me beautiful Girlfriend, then wearing her down!!
Worst moments
Life’s one long adventure, there are no worst bits, just points you’d rather not repeat. Its all in the experience.
Aspirations
To design something everybody wants. Or to write one song that other people can sing back at me. Oh and to Fly a plane solo.
Own Comments
Live free and have fun.
Commentary from Pete Davies, January 2006 Having joined the club last season in the shadow of Barkero, Sammy has developed into a first team regular - regularly accepting a range of positions that he can now call his own. Famed for his random ‘Samdom’s’ usually from the back seat both to and from away fixtures, ‘Did you know that a whales tongue is bigger than a cow?’, Sammy fulfils the classic role of the cheeky-chappy in the changing room, at training and across the South West. On the pitch, Sam has a wide array of moods, from the ‘passing me by’ to the ‘juddering tackle’ – often displayed within moments of each other. Occaisionally able to beat the man for pace, yet strangely flat-footed, Sammy nailed goal of the season for 2004 / 05 with a thunderous 30 yard half-volley that was only saved from orbit by the roof of the top corner of the net, for that moment alone, he will go down in CS Filo’s folklore. Lovingly supported by the bobble-hatted Lou and never shy in questioning team selection, Bristol based Sam’s consistency and ability to pop up with key strikes from midfield this term is as welcome as much as his eternally optimistic nature that welcomes our new younger players into the fold and always sees the bright side of every situation…. Shamone!
(Reader - please note – the discussion of ‘Samdoms’ generated this response from Danny Bliss, a regular in many a long journey: “Wasn't it a whales HEART is as big as a CAR? The Cow thing was when he was talking about an Oryx which was a prehistoric creature which was woolly, the size of a cow and with horns... ahh, good ol' samdoms.”.......Sammy now has his own car.)
Q&A
Name
Jim Lawrence
Nickname
Jimbo, Jimmer, Jimbob, Lawro
Age
37
Birthplace
Bath
Height
5'11"
Position
Mr Utility: have played every position, including 5 positions in one game in 00/01 season. But full back or wide midfield these days.
Born to Run, Springsteen; Blood on the Tracks, Dylan; Fisherman's Blues, Waterboys.
book
Lord of the Rings
football team
Man Utd & England
food
Mexican
film
Lord of the Rings, Seven Samurai, Unforgiven
drink
Malt Whisky & Guinness
pop idols
Springsteen & Dylan Ed - What, with that haircut and white socks it must be Duran Duran
politics
Lib Dem
all time heroes
Tolkien, Springsteen, Bryan Robson (similar to me in my younger days!) & David Attenborough (love his unending enthusiasm)
night out
Meal then Movie
Local football
Best moments
Scoring in 2001 Cup Final win, winning the double in 1991 and snogging Chris.
'
Worst moments
Shouting "this one's mine" as I shoved Jason Willcox off the ball in a bid to get my hatrick back in the 90-91 season (filthy day near Saltford, by the railway track), taking it past the keeper and then have a defender take it off my toes as I was about to roll it into the empty net.
Plus losing the 1984 Under 16's cup final to Olympus Sports after Jason and I had arranged to have our surnames sewn onto our shirts.
Aspirations
To keep enjoying playing until I'm 40. Who'd have thought we'd have lasted this long?
Football
Best moments
Germany 1 England 5
Worst moments
The semi final defeats to Germany in 90 & 96.
Life
Best moments
Hopefully still to come (kids), but selling my first short story was a buzz.
Worst moments
Divorce: much worse than I ever expected.
Aspirations
Retire early with a second career as a published novelist; but health & contentment in life will be fine.
Own Comments
None
Commentary from Jason Willcox, September 2005 Jim joined the club from the defunct Fairfield in 1990 and formed an integral part of the 1990/91 double winning
side. Having started as a right back Jim matured into a cultured midfield player forming an effective alliance as the "Didi Hamman" to Chris McGonigle's
"Steven Gerard" and became a mainstay of the Civil Service side that constantly challenged for honours through a large part of the 1990s. Disillusioned
with the never ending run of 2nd place cup and league finishes, Jim retired in the late 90s to take up.....hill walking. However, he was persuaded to return
to the side for the 2000/01 season. And what a return. His best ever season with 25 goals from midfield including a goal in the Bath Chronicle cup final
at Twerton Park that helped to take the trophy (2-0) along with promotion to the 2nd Division. Appearances were less frequent for the next couple of
seasons and a bad ankle injury meant missing most of the 2004/05 season, but he returned to fitness in time to help secure promotion before going on
holiday and missing the cup final! Looking fit (well, for a 37 year old) in pre-season training, Jim has his sights on trying to replicate the double
winning achievements of the 1990/91 side 15 years on!
Q&A
Name
Dave Barker
Nickname
TW*T, Barker, or any other expletive spud, spina, jase or pete wish to use!
Age
23
Birthplace
Maldon, ESSEX (and Proud of it!)
Height
Not quite (or anywhere near) 6ft
Position
Anywhere but defence (Midfield Dynamo)
Joined Civil Service Filos
Aug 2003
Other clubs
Well Chelsea tried to tap me up but I wasn’t havin any of it!Burnham Ramblers, Mayland, Bradwell, Bath Spa University
Original Oceans Eleven with the Ratpack or just plain old porn
drink
Stella (cos I get lairy!), Lucozade sport (not the fizzy one)
pop idols
Why
idolise anyone when you’re this perfect? (I love ME)
politics
All liars!
all time heroes
Richard Branson, John Plum (the best manager ever, move over mourinho)
and Ellen Davies
night out
Drum and bass, and lots of little fellas!
Local football
Best moments
Scoring wonder goal from thirty five yards! Shall I run ya
through it...?
Worst moments
Vs. Westgate, Defending front post, corner curled in, I lifted
foot they scored!
Aspirations
Win the league and a cup before I F off round the world
Football
Best moments
Watching Villa beat Chelsea 2 seasons running at villa park! Any
time villa win is an occasion!
Worst moments
Any England Game. They are Sh*t these days, bring back Gazza and
lineker!
Life
Best moments
Getting
Married at 20 yrs old, finishing my degree with honours!
Worst moments
Failing
uni first time round. (whoops!)
Aspirations
“One
day rodders I’ll be a millionaire!” no seriously though, I will
Own Comments
Cheers
to pete, spud, brian, jase and whoever else runs this wicked little club of
ours! One day I’ll do an abramovich with this club and we can finally sign a
decent goalie, four defenders, a few mids and damn we need some good
strikers!?!!!!!
Commentary from Pete Davies, October 2005 Player’s player of the year 2004/05, Barkero stormed through the season making the ‘man in the hole’ position his own in a dynamic 5 man midfield. With a uniquely fuelled engine, ability to beat a man, ‘work both boxes’, use both feet and get a rasping drive off with no back-lift, Dave made a massive statement following his first difficult year with the club. As mistake followed mistake, team-mates showed their increasing frustration (knowing just how good a player lurked behind that sometimes perplexed and sulky façade), Dave responded with 110% at training, classic Essex humour and a new found responsibility in leading his fellow younger players, into last season. Driving the team forwards, picking up crucial goals from all angles and getting right up opposing sides playmakers, Dave’s award was a no-brainer.
Having announced his decision to leave the club for a round the world venture with his wonderful wife during the season, the team will recover, but the memories remain... the equaliser at Heytesbury (he’s still on the floor!), the winner at Bratton and the fifth at The Deverills – pick that out son.
Will he return? Last seen on a Brazilian beach… I quote: “we've been on the beach showing the Brazillians how the beautiful game should be played?!?! A la Peter kay "av it!" advert. ain't no one messes with us!” What do you think?
Very rarely nowadays but I love listening to
Kev "Razor" Proudman's drunken bullsh*t.
Local football
Best moments
Being upgraded from 2nd sub to 1st sub when Jason Willcox went home in a sulk to watch the Rugby World Cup Final (1991)
Worst moments
Having to take off my necklace for the first time in 10 years - I loved that necklace. Closley followed by being dropped the following week for the "necklace incident".
Aspirations
To play central midfield for the mighty Filos!
Football
Best moments
Rodney Marsh being sacked from Sky TV.
Worst moments
None
Life
Best moments
Coming 3rd from bottom in Chris McGonigle's "King Biff" competition (1994).
Worst moments
Having to listen to Kev "Razor" Proudman bullsh*t about winning the "King Biff". Everyone knows Jase won by bedding those sisters at Butlins.
Commentary from James Lawrence, October 2004 Marc Austin joined the club (Bath Civil Service) in the late 80's and was also part of the golden 1990-91
double-winning team. Blessed with excellent control and passing, Marc was an intelligent and creative player
who regularly made incisive contributions with his cultured right foot. He also showed a knack for popping up
in the right place to grab goals and was comfortably into double figures during that season.
Over the years since Marc's other interests have prevented him from securing a regular spot with the team and
the lack of regular football has perhaps prevented him from having as big an influence as his talent would have
allowed. Yet his appearances have always been memorable: from a recent run of deadly curling free-kicks, to the
head band he sported for a while in the 1990s that acted as a goad to intellectually challenged opponents he
encountered on the pitches of the west country.
Marc was never known for his pace and in 2003/04 he is equally as quick as he was in 90/91. But the brain is
just as fast as it always was (apart from remembering where his mobile phone is) and with his newfound appetite
for tackling clearly demonstrated in the second half of the recent semi-final against Oval, Marc is beginning
to exert a growing influence on games. This easy going, affable player is finally adding some fire to his
cultured game and his team-mates are the greatest beneficiaries.
Winning Div 2 with Contracts 73, Winning Div 2 with C.S. Filos, Winning Steve Fear Cup v Westgate.
Worst moments
Breaking leg, losing Sunday Div 1 championship in last game with TRM
Aspirations
To win the Somerset Intermediate Cup
Football
Best moments
Manchester United winning treble in 1999
Worst moments
Arsenal
Life
Best moments
Birth of son
Worst moments
Not speaking to mother for 5 years
Aspirations
To live and work in the USA.
Own Comments
I have made some really good friends from football over the years and mostly that is why I'm still playing. I have really renewed my enthusiam with changing to the Trowbridge league this season. This is our year!
Commentary from James Lawrence Not available
Q&A
Name
Chris McGonigle
Nickname
Macca
Age
35
Birthplace
Camberwell, London
Height
6' 2"
Position
I’ve never played right back for the Civvy. The rest of the pitch I’ve owned on various occasions!
I wish the ‘Pop Idols’ programme and it’s like were banned
politics
Someway right of centre
all time heroes
I’m sure I should have some, but can’t think of any right now.
night out
On the grounds that I am a changed man, I don’t think mention of my favourite nights out will be a good idea. ‘She meant nothing to me, I needed the money’
Local football
Best moments
1991 Civil Cup Final win. Great bunch of lads all coming together from the ashes of a dying club, kept alive by Brian Jeffries and Roy Jennings, Graham Tomkins & Graham Thomas, and winning something in our first season
Worst moments
1st Sending off of my life against Oval Sports in about 1993. Mike Ashdown! Idiot!
Aspirations
To retire soon and gracefully
Football
Best moments
Chelsea winning The Premiership 2005. If you’re reading this page some time in the future it will seem really weird to think that something that now happens every year was once upon a time a major achievement! I wonder if you will even remember Manchester United. That was the old name of the Yankee Doodle Globetrotters before they got relegated.
Commentary from James Lawrence, October 2004 Chris joined Bath Civil Service in the late 1980s as a teenager and was made Captain of the exciting young side
that came together for the 1990-91 season. He had a magnificent season, scoring over 30 goals from centre midfield
and providing the team with a warm, charismatic heart. He left the following season to try his luck with senior
football before returning to the club for various spells in the years since. The current season marked his return
to playing full time. Chris has always perhaps possessed the best touch of any player at the club, and coupled with
outstanding vision and firm self-belief, this combination allowed him to dominate games with the quality of his passing
and finishing. While using his considerable height to strong effect in defensive moments, his true impact was in the
opposition's half. Given a chance, he invariably hit the target. In the cup final of 1991, Chris kept his nerve to
score the penalty that sealed victory in extra time. His goalkeeping must also be mentioned, as he has often insisted
that he is, and was, the best keeper at the club. The jury is still out on this one after the goal he conceded in the
2002/03 season where a cross shot slipped under him and he dropped to the ground like a falling giant redwood: very slowly.
Chris in 2003/04 doesn't have the mobility he once had but the touch is still there. Perhaps most effective now as a
forward, his subtle passes and aerial ability have seen him adopt a Sheringham-like role for CS Filos although a role in goald
is being suggested for 2004/05. His self-belief, however, remains just as strong!
I Fought The Law (The Clash) (374k) This track reminds me of meeting Joe Strummer backstage after a gig. He spent the evening teaching a mate of mine the chord arrangements to this song whilst we ate his sandwiches. Top bloke. R.I.P.
album
Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Red Hot Chili Peppers) (279k) I love the way the tracks on this album merge the bass, guitar or the drums seamlessly from one track into another. A masterpiece of funk, rap, and rock. Mimicked many times since but groundbreaking at the time.
book
None
football team
Manchester City
food
Anything that will give me lots of energy to play football!
film
Alien, Fight Club
drink
Jack Daniels & Coke
pop idols
Rachel Stevens
politics
Na
all time heroes
Kevin Keegan (when he was a player!) & Ian Wright. I loved
the tenacity with which they played the game and made the very best of their
ability
night out
Straight on the town with the team after a good win, several
pints of larger and JDs followed by a nap in a grotty club
