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Silly quiz question
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There is a sequence of Staines Town First Team players, dating back to 1904, for which the following is the end of the sequence:
111. Steve Beeks
112. Derek Walters
113. John Gasson
114. Paul Lucas
115. Simon Pentland
116. Mark Fleming
117. Darren Anderson
118. Justin Mitchell
119. Phil Grainger
120. Joe O'Shea
121. Kelly Phillips
122. Mark Butler
123. Steve Battams
124. Glen Nunkoo
125. Roy Cruse
126. Jamie Finnan
127. Dean Yates
128. Charley Carter
129. Gavin Harrison
130. Richard Butler
131. Craig Maskell
132. Robin Shroot
Can anyone guess what that sequence represents?
Edited by swanstuff at 14:39:10 on 28th May 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Have all these players scored in the final of the Middlsex cup final
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Bit of a strange guess... are these outfield players that have played as a goalkeeper due to red card etc ?
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Steve are these the players who have played for both Staines and Wimbledon .
Edited by Norm at 06:12:12 on 29th May 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Interesting guess Norm, but no - that’s not it.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi - three guesses so far - all of them interesting, but none of them correct.
Players to have played for Staines Town and Wimbledon - nope
Outfield players who've deputised in goal - nope
Players who've scored in a Middlesex Cup final - no - but that's the best guess so far.
Edited by swanstuff at 22:57:15 on 29th May 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Steve
Players who were selected byMiddlesex FA to represent the County.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Norm
No, it's not that either I'm afraid, although a number of them did represent Middlesex at various levels.
Keep the guesses coming. I like the question because I believe it is something that can actually be worked out,,,
To summarise -
Players to have played for Staines Town and Wimbledon - nope
Outfield players who've deputised in goal - nope
Players who've scored in a Middlesex Cup final - no - but that's the best guess so far.
Players who were selected to represent Middlesex - no
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Morning Steve.
After another sleepless night in deep thought -todays offering
All players who were selected as schoolboys to represent country.
Edited by Norm at 11:44:17 on 31st May 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Norm
I feel your pain, but sadly it will have to endure a bit longer - your latest guess was incorrect.
To summarise:
Hi Norm
No, it's not that either I'm afraid, although a number of them did represent Middlesex at various levels.
Keep the guesses coming. I like the question because I believe it is something that can actually be worked out,,,
To summarise -
Players to have played for Staines Town and Wimbledon - nope
Outfield players who've deputised in goal - nope
Players who've scored in a Middlesex Cup final - no - but that's the best guess so far.
Players who were selected to represent Middlesex - no
England Schoolboys players - no
I will give you one direct clue, and then perhaps you will also allow me to concentrate the mind a little on a few salient points.
The direct clue is that no other teams or clubs were involved: not Wimbledon, or the Middlesex or England Schools rep sides, for example.
The "pointers" -
> You may remember that Steve Cordery ceased to be our manager at the end of the season in which Alan Boon passed away, ie 2011/12, and that Craig Maskell - his player/assistant manager - departed at the same time. Craig's is the last-but-one name on the list.
> Supporters with long memories might know that Steve Beeks had about 5 years with us (give or take a few months), from 1992 to 1996.
> So even if you do not remember Robin Shroot, you will realise that this list been added to no more than once in the last 8 years, even though it was quite active in the 20 years before that
> STFC was founded in 1892, but did not play in every season since then (the war years, for example). However, in the 120 years between 1892 and 2012, the sequence had some 130 entries. We are not, therefore, talking about something that happens once a season.
> Two of the players mentioned above, Beeks and Maskell, are "household names" in the STFC canon, as are pretty much all of them from 111 to 123. After that, there's something of a mixture, with celebrated players like Gavin Harrison and Richard Butler rubbing shoulders with lesser-known ones such as those at numbers 124 to 128.
> I mentioned in the preamble that this is a First Team question, so don't be sidetracked by thoughts of the Reserve or U18 teams.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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morning all
Thanks for the clues Steve-sadly they have not helped me al all.
So another guess
Players who have scored on their first game who were wearing studded boots .
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Re: Silly quiz question
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I'm not sure it is a goal-scoring sequence, as Robin Shroot's record for the club, as far as I can make out, show him as only being a unused sub for the 1st team. No doubt I stand to be corrected. I suspect it is may to do with appearances.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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It’s certainly got me stumped! 111 to 121 appears to be made up of players who played in Bashers’s promotion winning team of 96, then it’s just a mish mash of players under Ken Ballard some of whom hardly played in the first team and then mainly first team players under Cordery???
Edited by Wakes at 12:43:39 on 1st June 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Well - not one but THREE new comments this morning!
Sadly none of them contain the right answer, but there were some feains of truth in them.
Players to have played for Staines Town and Wimbledon - nope
Outfield players who've deputised in goal - nope
Players who've scored in a Middlesex Cup final - no - but that's the best guess so far.
Players who were selected to represent Middlesex - no
England Schoolboys players - no
Players who have scored on their first game who were wearing studded boots - OK I know it was a "silly quiz", so I suppose it deserves a silly answer!
To do with appearances - actually, no, not really - but credit for thinking in the right direction; Wakes' comment is also true and, I think, helpful.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Having had my lunchtime siesta heres another try.
All these players only played under one manager.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Norm. I don't think it is players who played under one manager. Reasoning is that Steve Beeks, for example, played between 1992 and 1996, before Cordery, and, although Robin Shroot was in the squad during Cordery's tenure, he never actually played in the first team. He is only credited as an unused sub.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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I am very pleased to hear that you got your siesta, Norm. I remember the pain of lying awake at my desk worrying about a problem, so it should help sharpen your thinking processes.
In this case, though, it didn't work. Take Joe O'Shea, for instance. He had two substantial spells with us, which saw him play under Iain Maclean, Bruce Butler, Chris Wainwright, and Ken Ballard, so no, I'm afraid it's not players who've played under only one Manager. There have been plenty of those evn in the last couple of seasons, but note that not a single player has been added to our list since Robin Shroot.
Talking of Shrootie ... there's a bit of a red herring swimming around his name at the moment. Take another look at your 2005/6 stats ... sure, he was unused sub a number of times, but he also made six actual appearances. I will add a further clue that it would be impossible for a player who didn't make any actual First Team appearances to get onto our list. Does that help?
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Steve thanks for the new pointers.
However,I did not wash up in this area until 2003 and only discovered STFC in about 2007 .Everything before that year is a total mystery to me and with no other stats available to hand, I am struggling.
After your hard work in compiling this list and the stunning response from numerous supporters ,its seems my duty to continue to the bitter end .Hope you take pity on me and put me put of my agony soon.
I think its time to start thinking (guessing) out side the box.
As it only conains pre 2006 players -
All players who enjoyed sport and were content to play football for the fun of it. Since 2005 when agents became involved players will only play for the first team if they are financially rewarded.
PS Perhaps I should now hang up my boots now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited by Norm at 12:16:18 on 2nd June 2020
Edited by Norm at 12:17:01 on 2nd June 2020
Edited by Norm at 12:17:42 on 2nd June 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Norm
Ah well at least you made it to the promised land in the end! But I agree that you are at a disadvantage of not being around when most - if not all - of the listed players were doing their stuff in old gold & blue.
Your latest guess is ... something beginning with "i". No, not "idiotic"! "Interesting", maybe, or "idealistic", although I would be sure that some of them were being paid for their efforts!
If your quizzing boots are now firmly hung on the peg, I can tell you the answer if you say the word ...
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Steve
Perhaps wait a few more days -I am sure that as I type(well try to) there are scores and scores of STC fans around the globe just completing there research and about to bombard you with their answers .
Would not wish to spoil the fun -you could be become Staines own "Captain Tom" oops sorry "Sir Captain Tom" with the size of the response.
Take care
Edited by Norm at 16:42:06 on 2nd June 2020
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Well, you've stumped me, and I've been around longer than Norm. There's a couple of names I wasn't familiar with, but, the rest are all well known, depending on which era you started watching Staines. I'm sure Steve will put us out of our misery soon. And, it's probably going to be something quite obvious, knowing him.
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Thank you both for your further comments. Yes I can hear the clatter of an infinite number of simian fingertips on an infinite number of keyboards as we speak, just dotting the 'T's and crossing the 'I's on their researches. That's "pretty far out". A few more days it is, then...
I'm not sure whether to sign this as Captain Ron Obvious, or Major Tom
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Re: Silly quiz question
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I'm struggling with this, along with everyone else. Using the "Captain Ron Obvious" clue, were these all players who took the captain's armband only once when the team captain got substituted? I'll keep trying .....
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Re: Silly quiz question
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I'm struggling!!
Would seeing the start of the sequence, help?
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi Steve
Half way through night I understood what your new clue "Major Tom" was all about.
Ground control to Major Tom
Youre off your course
Directions wrong.
And then resalised this quiz was launched following the new kit unveiling-its more about kit.
Got it
Up to 2006 first teamers had choice of long or short sleeve playing shirt-after2006 only short sleeve shirts were available.
The list of players were those who all requested a long sleeve shirt. Which of course in the early days of the game were the norm (excuse the pun)
best wishes
Norm
PS even though I had retired I hope you will allow this final farewell entry
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Hi - yes please do keep trying!
Sadly the latest couple of guesses have been wide of the mark, too - nothing to do with stand-in captains or shirt choices. Nothing quite so obscure.
Gregs asked if seeing the beginning of the sequence would help - to which I'd answer "no". In fact, I don't know the first few names on the list either, only how many there are. It might just help, though, if I gave you a few more names, before the ones already supplied, so below the updated answers summary is a slightly extended list, going back to cover another 40 names. I don't think knowing the ones right at the beginning will help, but this mid-range group might do so a bit.
Players to have played for Staines Town and Wimbledon - nope
Outfield players who've deputised in goal - nope
Players who've scored in a Middlesex Cup final - no - but that's still the best guess so far.
Players who were selected to represent Middlesex - no
England Schoolboys players - no
Players who have scored on their first game who were wearing studded boots - OK I know it was a "silly quiz", so I suppose it deserves a silly answer!
To do with appearances - actually, no, not really - but credit for thinking in the right direction; Wakes' comment is also true and, I think, helpful.
Players who took over as emergency captain - no
Players who requested a particular sleeve style on their shirts - no: even I don't keep records of this!
The list again, extended backwards a bit further:
71. Peter Kemp
72. Steve Emmanuel
73. Jess Rossiter
74. Steve Emmanuel
75. Paul Devis
76. Phil George
77. Jester Williams
78. Gary Powell
79. Carl Taylor
80. Phil Unwin
81. John Crouch
82. Andy Graham
83. Richard Parkin
84. Andy Graham
85. Andy Graham
86. Glenn Price
87. Glenn Price
88. Alan Gregory
89. Alan Gregory
90. Wayne Hancock
91. Tim Porter
92. Josh Price
93. Josh Price
94. Gary Crawshaw
95. Gary Crawshaw
96. Gary Crawshaw
97. Chris Brady
98. Richard Newbery
99. Jimmy Williams
100. Derek Traylen
101. Steve Beeks
102. Phil Grainger
103. Steve Darlington
104. Steve Livey
105. Chris Brady
106. Steve Beeks
107. Steve Beeks
108. Joe O'Shea
109. Chris Brady
110. Steve Beeks
111. Steve Beeks
112. Derek Walters
113. John Gasson
114. Paul Lucas
115. Simon Pentland
116. Mark Fleming
117. Darren Anderson
118. Justin Mitchell
119. Phil Grainger
120. Joe O'Shea
121. Kelly Phillips
122. Mark Butler
123. Steve Battams
124. Glen Nunkoo
125. Roy Cruse
126. Jamie Finnan
127. Dean Yates
128. Charley Carter
129. Gavin Harrison
130. Richard Butler
131. Craig Maskell
132. Robin Shroot
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Looking at the earlier addition to the list I can see it includes a number of players who have an excellent goal scoring record so it may have something to do with that? Possibly penalties as I remember Steve Beeks scoring a large number from the spot back in 95/96 promotion season ???
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Re: Silly quiz question
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Good work, Wakes!
You have correctly identified that there are more forwards on the list than players in other positions, and so scoring is the key to this question.
Beeksy did have an excellent record from 12 yards - but in this case, penalty kicks (scored or missed) are not important to the question.
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Think I’ve (almost) cracked it!
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These are all players who have scored in a cup final, excluding the Middx senior cup (for whatever reason). The long list of players who played under Basher all scored in the penalty shootout win over Borehamwood in 95, can’t remember name of cup may have been AC Delco? but was played at Harrow Borough. The other cups include Middx Charity and Southern Combination, probably others which I cannot remember names of...
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Re: Think I’ve (almost) cracked it!
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Good memory, Laurence - and the cup you were trying to remember was the Carlsberg Cup a/k/a/ Isthmian League Full Members' Cup.
It was a very good guess ... easily the best guess yet ... but I'm afraid not quite correct. Shall I tell you, or would you like another go?
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Please put us out of our misery Steve!
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No text
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Re: Please put us out of our misery Steve!
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As you wish.
The correct answer - which you got very close to in the end - is that this was a list of all the goalscorers in Staines Town's matches played in the Middlesex Charity Cup. The last time we played in that competition was 2005/6, going down 2-1aet at Bedfont, which is why no-one has scored in it since Robin Shroot on 10.1.2006. It's one of those competitions where we fielded a full 1st Team sometimes (hence some of the "big names", while at other times it was little more than a Reserve selection (hence clusters of players like Jamie Finnan, Glen Nunkoo, and the like, who didn't make that many 1st Team appearances).
By the way, I didn't include scorers in penalty shoot-outs in the list. There have only ever been three in that competition. We won 4-2 at Northwood in 2000, and lost by the same score at Hampton in 1994. However, the first and most famous of them was our penalty shoot out against Brook House (now AFC Hayes) in 1990. Peter Lara saved the first kick of the shoot out, but by the 3rd penalty it was level, and after five each they were the only two failures. So it was on to sudden death, and by the time it got to 9-9, all but one player had taken a kick. As both managers scraped their barrels, Brook House put up a young kid whose 16th birthday was still a week away, and he scored, then up stepped one of Staines' most experienced player - but one who got altitude sickness if he got within 10 yards of the halfway line - Kevin Fidler - and his spot kick was saved, for the visitors to run out 10-9 winners. Brook House played Chelsea in the next round, and The Blues would go on to sign that young kid, whose name was Neil Shipperley.
Apart from one at Merthyr Tydfil in the Russell Grant sponsored Merthyr Middlesex Charity Shield match that pre-season, it was Staines Town's first ever First Team penalty shoot-out, and the first at Wheatsheaf Lane. Oddly, although we won two cup finals on penalties, and the aforementioned Charity Cup tie with Northwood, we would lose all our next three to be held at home (vs Sutton in 2000, Witham in 2003, and Wingate & Finchley in 2004), and it was not until 2007 that we finally won at home - not once but twice. They were the FA Cup ties against Brackley Town and then Stockport County. I think it was worth the wait, don't you? Since then, we've been treated to one win and three defeats in home penalty shoot-outs.
Our 24 penalty shoot-outs have resulted in 11 wins and 13 losses, broken down as follows:
W - L Competition
2 - 1 FA Cup
0 - 1 FA Trophy
5 - 2 Middlesex Senior Cup
0 - 4 Isthmian League Cup / Bryco Cup / Alan Turvey Trophy / Velocity Trophy
1 - 1 Isthmian League Full Members' Cup / Carlsberg Cup
0 - 1 London Senior Cup
1 - 2 Middlesex Charity Cup
1 - 0 Middlesex Super Cup for the George Ruffell Shield
1 - 0 Merthyr-Middlesex Charity Shield
0 - 1 Saft-Nife Shield [Hampton FC Pre-Season Tournament]
All of which is completely irrelevant to the question!
Edited by swanstuff at 00:00:16 on 10th June 2020
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Re: Think I’ve (almost) cracked it!
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Hats off to you. I wouldn't have got near that in a million years.
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