Ball Boyz Transfer latest

The Ball Boyz are closing in on three new signings, believed to be a winger, a midfielder and a defender according to newly appointed Club Secretary, Leanne Indaimo.

"We can talk about the strength of our squad and the attitude all day, but nevertheless, we need three or four signings. We are very close to two, a defender and a midfielder and we are closing in on a wide-man to add to our strike power. We would also like to add a keeper to our squad, but so far we are miles off. Tommaso is doing a great job but we do need a back up in case of injury or suspension."

The Ball Boyz can also confirm that Thomas Worden and Federico Torti have departed the club on loan to Oakham F.C. and F.C. Gordonstoun respectively.

New season to kick off

Its that time of year when the summer ends, the transfer window closes and a new season of football begins. Its been a very busy summer this year at Turchino Road, with many veterans departing and a few new faces appearing. The Boyz bid farewell to veterans Matteo Fumagalli, Jacopo Fioravanti, Santiago Ferrari, Alfredo Macchi and Thomas Worden. In addition the team would like to thank Chirolles Khalil and Cristoforo Tarantelli for all their efforts for the club and would like to wish them the very best after one productive year at Turchino Road. Furthermore, this season sees a change in the directors box as well, with former chief secretary Maria Rosaria D'Amico stepping down from her post, being replaced by Leanne Indaimo. In terms of new faces, the Ball Boyz have yet to confirm any signings following the closing of the transfer window on the 2nd of September, however, it is beleived the BB's are very close to signing up two yet unknown free-agents, a midfielder and a defender.

On an administrative front, Chairman Mark Jonathan Cameron Worden has confirmed that the Ball Boyz should participate in the CSI Juniores category for a second-year running, following a brief stint in the Allievi category three years ago.

"We are very confident we can strike a deal with the Centro Sportivo Italiano within the next couple of weeks. We have got the personnel and we have got the backroom staff and administration board. We are ready to go for another season, and we are really looking forward to it."

This year may even see the Boyz participate for the first year in the CSI Cup.

"We wanted to sign up for the cup last year, but a lack of players dented our hopes that time, and we are determined not to let the same mistake catch us out again. I appreciate that we may not have the same squad depth as last year, but it is the character that counts. We still have our belief and our 'never say die' attitude. Like I said the core of the squad is still very similar.

"All that is missing is for us to take that determination out on the field and get us some points. We were very unlucky last season as a couple of bad injuries and lack of fitness cost us some dear points. But this year our fitness levels have improved drastically, so hopefully we should be more consistent this time round.

"In addition, this year our boys will be in the right age group and so have a better chance to excel. I admit things haven't gone according to plan on the transfer market. We still have the Indaimo transfer saga to sort out, but no matter what I still remain optimistic that this year will be the greatest ever that this football club has seen."

Worden calls for final push

Ball Boyz Director of Football, Thomas Worden, says the BBs are "down but not out" following their heavy defeat to Nord Ovest.
"Obviously no one likes to get stuffed like that but considering the circumstances, we deserved it. We gave up after they'd scored five, we had many injuries and the pitch was too small for those goals. But the goals were the same for everyone and we can't just keep using excuses to defend our poor results. However we can't concentrate on the negatives and get down, we have to pick ourselves up, we played some good football at times and scored 3 good goals. We're finally creating up front and with a full team we are good enough to beat anyone on our day. Just look at COC when we managed to beat them 6-4 away. Those are the kinds of displays we should be concentrating on without getting over confident."
COC was the Ball Boyz's only victory this season, and the BBs are hoping to pull out such a performance this Saturday when COC come to the Turchino Ground.
"Obviously things have changed since we last met, but I believe if we can work well enough we can pull out a few good results and show off our fighting spirit. We have four games now, three of which we can realistically win if we put our minds on it. We have to shift things round a bit and pull of coragious performances. We need to be fighting for survival, we need to get dirty and we most importantly need points. The performances come second, the most important thing is the points, we need victories, the performances are just a bonus. We need to get more physical in defence and be the first ones to the ball. We need to apply pressure on the opposition at every instance, our marking must improve, we must close down shots but we also need to be more creative while attacking. I think that's something we've lacked this season. We need to string together some beautiful passes and show whose boss from the start. We have to command the game and the way it's played. We need to be the ones controlling the game and we mustn't alter the way we play according to how they play, it is them that should alter, we need to play top dog from the start and the results will come. It's an important change  in our mentality but it is one that could be the difference between survival and relegation. We need to treat this like a relegation battle, and il only be satisfied with 13 points, thus meaning we have to win 3 games which is a tough task, but it is imperative for our salvation. I hope we can grow some bo***cks and show the CSI and everyone who we are. We need to be detrmined and we have to be brave. We have 2 home games in which we need to get our passing gambling right from the start and showing that although we are underdogs we can also be top dogs. We then have 2 away games ona a rubbish pitch, but we have to adapt our game to the pitch and play dirty, dropping the passing the game replacing it with a more physical aggressive style of play. We need to be versatile in our game and we need all our players to be present all the time. I hope we can do it, this is massive, we need to turn our season around as soon as possible before it is too late. I'm hoping we can get out of the bottom three although we are define rely not going to be last thanks to Assisi's administration, so that's a step froward from last year. However, I'm hoping to go further, 7th wouldn't be bad, and that's our aim, I hope we can fulfil it. I'm calling for a final push in which we must sacrifice everything to win, the players must be present, concentrated and motivated to win. We need to join the dots, and as long as we give everyone a run for their money i will be pleased. I meanid prefer to play badly and win than play well and lose, but I just want my players to have fun and most importantly show me something's that have been missing so far this season. We need our fans to back us and we need our players to deliver as much as they can, I want to see us united, ready to face anything, no fear wahtsoever whoever we are playing. Come on Ball Boyz! We can do this! Let's avoid relegation!"

Six players depart

Ball Boyz have officially released 5 players from there squad, where as captain Federico Torti completes a move to FC Gordonstoun for an undisclosed fee.
Ball Boyz would like to thank Brando De Courten, Alessandro Frione, Filippo Luise, Giovanni Mazzaro and Gianni Torti for their efforts on the pitch, however the club has decided not to take the option of extending their contracts next season.
On the other hand talks continue to proceed with Christian Nehammer and Giacomo Rombelli over an extension of there contract which terminates on the 1st of July.
In other news, it is understood that Mark Worden is to become President of the club next season, being promoted from Director of Sport, and Leanne Tilbrook is set to become vice-president and former-president Federica Villa stepping down to Director of Football.
Speculation continues on the new signings of the BB's, Uberto Gnocchi the most likely target with Niccolo Jandoli, where as Benji Frangi looks like an unlikely signing. We'll keep you posted with all the latest news.

Oh Captain, my captain

"Federico Torti, Ball Boyz Legend..."

The departure of the Ball Boyz captain, hero and veteran Federico Torti to FC Gordonstoun has brought sadness to all Ball Boyz team members. He not only organised all the paperwork, but founded the team. It all started five years ago, in a small tournament in the outskirts of Milan, where the Ball Boyz first played their official match, although they were known as AC Ambrosiana back then. But it was a far cry from the current team, but with some familiar faces: Thomas Worden, Alessandro Indaimo, Santiago Ferrari, Jacopo Fioravanti and obviously Federico Torti are just a few of the names that stood out there that day.

Unfourtunately, they were eliminated at the third round, and whilst many would have lost hope, three years later they changed name again and formed FC Snake Team, and missed out on the trophy in the final at the S. Ambrogio Stadium, and despite Federico Torti missing out through injury, he was still very proud of the Boyz.

Fate looked set to repeat itself a year later, when under the rain, the Paninos, as they were then called played "gli arancioni" in the same stadium. However, one late goal from Uberto Gnocchi got the trophy for the Paninos, and promotion into the CSI division.

Next year things got serious, and Federico Torti set up the Ball Boyz, recruiting many new members as many of the heroes that helped them gain promotion were captured by other teams. However the Boyz gave the other teams a run for their money, always looking dangerous even against teams like Precotto, GS Vittoria, S. Nicolao Forlanini and SPES, well led by FT23, who proved himself one of the most solid defenders in the division. "He's just a hero at this club, every week we hear the fans chanting his name, he's as solid as a brick, he never lets a striker through, and although we are not the most solid defence in the league, his appearances are commendable, and I wish him all the best in the future. He's not only my team-mate, he's also a mate off the field, and his departure is tragic for us, but you know sh*t happens,"says the Player-Coach Thomas Worden. "I heard the chairman retired the number 23, not only because he was such a legend, but probably as if to say to him, 'It's availabe if you want it, you are always free to come back.' But you know this move is probably for the best, he's a great player and a great lad, and he's going to get some experience up there in Scotland, and if he were to come back, he'd be stronger than ever. I'm going to miss you mate! All the best! And as a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic said 'You can take the kid away from the ghetto, but not the ghetto away from the kid!' Bye Feds, Ball Boyz legend..."

Focaccia not for sale!

The Ball Boyz have continuosly insisted that talented winger Davide "Focaccia" Ravaccia will not be departing from Turchino Road during the transfer window despite a severe interest from Schuster. The chairman insisted "He is not leaving, we are tight on players at the moment and with the departure of our captain to FC Gordonstoun, we can't afford to lose any more, maybe we might strike a co-ownership deal but he won't be leaving!"
In other news the arrivals of striker Uberto Gnocchi and defender Benji Frangi look imminent.