Report by Jon Brown

As Oxford United slipped to ignominious defeat at Yeading, supporters team Raging Fever FC embarked on a feast of fans football at Worldnet 2005, at Bodington Hall in Leeds. Although the results were just as disappointing as for the Yellows, the weekend itself was a success, as the whole squad returned with groaning livers, empty wallets and happy memories from what is a superbly organised event.

Most of the squad arrived in Leeds on Friday evening and headed promptly for the on-site bar, where we put in an impressive performance in the important disciplines of drinking beer and singing songs about Swindon. As fans from the length and breadth of the UK (and beyond) chatted and mingled, it was already obvious that Worldnet was going to be a very enjoyable experience indeed.

The 64 team tournament kicked off on Saturday morning, divided into 16 groups of four teams, and all matches were 15 minutes each way using normal 11-a-side rules. Oxford?s first opponents were Grimsby?s InToNet Mariners. The U?s started brightly and enjoyed obvious superiority in the early exchanges, but couldn?t create any clear-cut chances. Steve Fuller looked particularly threatening ? a fact not lost on the rather rotund Grimsby midfielder who cynically stopped a promising goal-bound run in its tracks, only escaping a booking by pleading lack of intent. The match was more even after the break, and the only goal of the game was scored by Grimsby after Paul Lucas lost the ball near the bye-line, and the resultant cross was swept in past a static defence. Fever continued to threaten, but the ball simply wouldn?t run kindly and a long-range effort from Nick Wehmeier was all we had to show for our efforts.

Next up were much-fancied Fulham, fresh(!) from winning the 90-minute IFA Cup final the evening before. Somewhat surprisingly the game remained goalless at half time, with Fever?s defensive efforts thwarting the slightly out-of-sorts Londoners. Indeed hopes were high of salvaging an unexpected point against the eventual group winners, but these were cruelly dashed late in the game as a Gary Butler own goal sealed the points for the Cottagers. Goalkeeper Joel Harrison took his eye off the ball as it was knocked across goal from a tight angle and Butler, with little time and under pressure from several onrushing attackers, could only slice his attempted clearance into the empty net.

Two defeats meant no hope of qualifying for the main Cup, so the last group game was all about securing third place and the hope of a better draw in Sunday?s Plate. A goalless draw meant that Fever achieved this because Huddersfield had also lost their first two games, and by more goals. Despite several goalmouth scrambles, and half chances for John Matthews and Si Godfrey for Fever, the goals again just would not come. This match did epitomise the true spirit of fans football, however, without the slightest hint of a bad tackle, and we look forward to renewing contact with the Net Terriers in seasons to come.

Saturday night saw most of the squad head into Leeds to sample the delights of Yorkshire?s first city – the younger players chasing girls around various bars and clubs (fruitlessly, I might add), while others enjoyed a meal. Some misguided souls then tried to relive their youth with a night of sweaty rock music in the Cockpit.

Geoff Carter, Gary Silver, and Steve Fuller sampling the delights of Leeds night life

Unsurprisingly these shenanigans counted against Oxford in their 9am kick-off against Everton in the first round of the Plate. The match was blighted not only by a complete lack of cohesion and concentration on behalf of the Yellows, but also by the Toffees? keenness to use both feet when tackling. One such challenge on goalkeeper Harrison in the first half resulted in a rather lenient booking. Everton were technically the weakest of all the teams we faced, but could have taken the lead on several occasions before the winning goal, which came in the last 30 seconds of normal time, with extra time and penalties looming. Raging Fever only had themselves and their hangovers to blame for a frustrating early exit, but one that at least meant we were back home in good time to recover for the week ahead.

Pat Wehmeier hoofs the ball clear

Despite the disappointments on the pitch, this is a tournament that we?re all look forward to next year already. Thanks must go to the organisers and officials who made the whole event run so smoothly, and all the fans and players in Leeds for making Worldnet what it is ? great fun.

Results:

Group Games

vs Grimsby Town – lost 0-1

vs Fulham – lost 0-1

vs Huddersfield Town – drew 0-0

Plate 1st round

vs Everton – lost 0-1

Raging Fever squad that failed to win a single game!

Back row (l-r): Jon Brown (manager), Nick Wehmeier, Geoff Carter, Steve Fuller, Ollie Houghton, Gary Butler, Gez Foster, Neil Wakefield, James Longshaw, Paul Lucas, John Matthews.

Front row (l-r): Si Godfrey, Pat Wehmeier, Steve Gilbert, Joel Harrison, Gary Silver, Mark Howland.