User:Henrikl7/sandbox

Henrikl7/sandbox

Atlantis A.F.C are a football club from the town of Clydebank near Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in 2005 as a 'pub team' the club went on to become one of the most successful club's to come out of Clydebank. They play their home games at John Brown's, Clydebank.

They have become a popular football club in their local commumity attracting a consistent fan base which went on to become know as "The Atlantis Ultra's". As well as this the club built up sponsorship agreements and business relationships with The Lucky Break Snooker Club and John Brown's Bar and previously Adriano's and The Atlantis Bar (hence the name - Atlantis).

The club were involved in some tremendous football rivalries including the local 'Derby' against Kilbowie Thistle A.F.C, the heated battle with Blackstoun United FC and of course the infamous "Clydebank Old Firm" against Clydebank Rovers FC.

Team colours are yellow and blue (1st kit), all black (2nd kit) and all red (3rd kit).

2005/06

The club was thrown together and entered into the Dunbartonshire & District Welfare FA. The team was comprised of veteran's such as James Mirren, Joe Lyden, John Daly and Joe Mirren as well as some younger talent including Stephen Keegan, John Paul Malcolm, Gary Gallagher, David Poustie, Scott Gallacher, Rab Crawford, Stephen McGeever, Paul Conroy, Ross Fitzsimmons, Gary Morgan, James Dixon Jnr, Craig Hevern, Peter McNamee and Mick Taylor. The season got off to a great start with the club holding reigning Champions Blackstoun United to a 1-1 draw at John Brown's, the visitor's even had to come from behind to claim a point, after Rab Crawford had put us infront with the club's first ever goal which came from the penalty spot. After this promising start, we lost 3-0 away to Scotstoun Rovers the following week and we didn't quite match our debut performance in the following weeks or months and although the club finished away from the bottom and with a couple of cup semi-final appearances, more was expected of the team. Although there were some rare highlights with credible draws away to CWS Transport (2-2), Westcliff (4-4) and Rapids (5-5: a game which Michael Gourlay marked with a hat-trick - which was also the first ever hat-trick in the club's history). It was against Rapids that the club finally got it's first victory and clean sheet, 2-0 (Taylor and Docherty) at Ferguslie on February 4th 2006, and followed this up with a 7-0 demolision of the same opposition at the Reckie in Mountblow. As the season progressed more new face's started arriving in the shape of Keiran Hunter, Chris McLarrie and Andrew Fitzpatrick but it was still to prove an uninspiring year for the team overall.

Player of the Year: Stephen McGeever
Player's Player of the Year: Stephen McGeever
Top Goalscorer: Stephen McGeever
Most Improved: Chris McLarrie

2006/07

The second season was far more satisfactory and eventful. Gary Buckley, Kevin O'Donnell, Paul McInally, Robert O'Donnell and Chris Cardigan were brought into the squad in pre-season. The team opened the season with an undeserved 4-3 defeat to a controversial last minute goal away to Transport. There some key victories (including a memorable 4-3 victory over rivals Scotstoun, in which Kev O'Donnell bagged all 4 goals) and also gained their first positive result against Kilbowie with a 2-2 draw on the red ash at Mountblow. This season was tinged with tragedy for everyone connected with the club as they lost one of it's original sons on 14th February 2007 when David Poustie sadly passed away. A 3-3 draw away to Transport in the League saw the team claim a deserved point after clawing their way back into the game. Sadly this match, on 21st April 2007, will be remembered as the last played, and scored in, by Paul McInally as he tragically died the following day. The team managed to pick themselves up from these horrific events and finish the season quite strongly with comeback draws at Singers Park against Clydebank Co-op and Blackstoun (which cost the latter the League Title after Atlantis came from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw) as well as a last day 3-2 win over Rapids with a make shift team, to avenge an embarrassing defeat from just 4 days earlier, ensured a mid-table finish. Yet more cup semi-final's followed, however, it was probably the impressive run in the Scottish Cup that will live long in the memory and put the club on the map (and not just because Atlantis were the only team from the West of Scotland still in the competition at the time). Ties against the likes of Castleview, where Crawford scored a sublime last minute equalizer on an horrendous day to force a 2-2 score line and a replay, before knocking them out on penalties in Clydebank after Stephen McGeever had made it 1-1 in the 81st minute in normal time, a 6-2 win over Dunfermline United was followed up with a 6-4 victory over Lochside. The side enjoyed their away days in the cup and trips to Stirling, Dunfermline, Arbroath, Montrose and, in the quarter-final, Kelty - where they eventually went out to eventual runners-up, Kelty Ex-Servicemen - showed what the club was capable of.

Player of the Year: Ross Fitzsimmons
Player's Player of the Year: Chris McLarrie
Top Goalscorer: Rab Crawford
Most Improved: Andrew Fitzpatrick

2007/08

Going into their third season, the club lost James Mirren and Joe Lyden from it's set-up but strengthened the playing staff with a number of new faces coming in; Kevin Barr, Danny Williamson, Craig Grant (Speedy), Danny McManus, Joe Traynor, Ally Smith and Chris Rodgers were all added to freshen things up and add a challenge for places. The team were still being led by Stephen Keegan, who was the club captain since the club's formation (until 2009) and they finished 7th in the inaugural Central Scottish Welfare (Combined) League, and finished in their highest position in the DDWFA, by coming 3rd. The club bagged it's first ever win over Kilbowie at John Brown's on an horrendus day when Danny McManus nicked all 3 points with an 89th minute strike. They then made it back-to-back wins over their local rivals when they sent them out of the Wilson Cup at the quarter-final stages, 4-2 on penalties, after the game had finished 2-2. The club agonizingly crashed out of the Unico Cup in the semi's to Blackstoun, losing 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 score line in normal time. However, they did manage to get passed the semi-final barrier, with a stunning 5-4 win over Mosspark in the CDL Cup. The team seemed dead and buried at 4-2 down with 10 minutes to play but managed to pull it back to 4-4 and then an individual bit of class from Crawford who took on most of the Mosspark team to score an excellent winner sent Atlantis to their first final where they badly let themselves down, coming runners-up in the end to Kilbowie in a 4-1 defeat, Keegan with the only reply from the spot.

Player of the Year: Stephen Keegan
Player's Player of the Year: Danny McManus
Top Goalscorer: Danny McManus
Most Improved: Michael Gourlay

2008/09

Pre-Season for the 2008/09 season took on a whole new look as former pro footballer Lex Grant (who played with Queens Park, Ayr United, Clydebank, Falkirk, Partick Thistle, East Stirlingshire, Stranraer) took the boys to Goldenhill Park for 6 sessions. All the players were worked incredibly hard and this showed at the start of the season with 5 wins, a draw and a narrow defeat from their opening 7 fixtures. Also, the club gained new sponsorship in the form of John Rea and his Lucky Break Snooker Club - it was due to this sponsorship deal that the club acquired new strips and equipment. The team welcomed some good summer additions, in Damon Gray, who capped an impressive debut season by bagging the Player of the Year Award, Chic McElhill and, at long last, a goalkeeper in the form of Ronnie McQuillan, as well as the mid-season signing of George Dunn. These new face's helped the club push on again and the club's fourth season had a feel of progression but also of 'so near, yet so far'. Finishing in a very respectable 4th in the CSWFA behind the likes of Blackstoun United, Linlithgow Rose and Camelon Albion plus coming 2nd in the DDWFA, as well as ending the season as runners-up in the Central FA Cup (Harthill Royal) and agonisingly losing out, to last minute goals, in both the Unico Cup Final (Blackstoun United) and for a second consecutive season the CDL Cup Final to Kilbowie Thistle. These defeats were harsh on the lads as they deserved at least one trophy from a long hard season but, make no mistake, getting to one final would have been viewed as an achievement - getting to three was outstanding (especially when you take into account the fact that this club was only 4 years old).

Player of the Year: Damon Gray
Player's Player of the Year: Rab Crawford
Top Goalscorer: Danny McManus
Most Improved: Joe Traynor

2009/10

The 2009/10 season became an eventful and historic one for Atlantis. But prior to it, the then Secretary vacated his position to be replaced by Ross Fitzsimmons and Jimmy Brown came in to take charge of pre-season training - there were attempts made to persuade him to stay longer but it was to no avail. Then a week before the start of the new campaign, the club descended into chaos with McManus, Traynor, Damon Gray, Grant Gray, Fitzpatrick and even skipper, Keegan, all calling time on their spell with Atlantis. Stephen McGeever and Michael Gourlay added to the managements woes by taking a year out from football. A calamitous result in a friendly followed and it looked as if the club was going to fold. However, they quickly recruited some key new signings in the form of Stephen Gallacher, Mark Reid, Peter Dorman and also picked up youngster Chris Plummer, with Chris Quinn and Stevie Sproule helping as trialists and Andy Docherty and Mick Taylor returning to help the club and ensure it had a fairly impressive start to the season considering the upheavel and turnover in players. The lack of squad depth started to tell in late September when Atlantis shipped 15 goals in 3 games; losing to Baillieston United (1-5), Clydebank Rovers (5-2) and in the Scottish Cup 2nd Round to Limekilns FC (5-3, after extra time). The club lost George Dunn soon after, his inability to force Dorman, Barr or Crawford out of the starting 11, being the main factor in his decision to leave, however, a tremendous signing was made in the shape of the experienced Jim MacColl. This came at a time when the team were sitting a mere 5 points off top spot, with a game in hand. Eventually, due to a lack of training facilities, the gap at the top increased and Atlantis could not keep up the pace as the squad was stretched. This prompted the return of Gourlay, McGeever, Damon Gray, McManus, Traynor and to some extent Gary Gallagher to steady the ship. The club further strengthened their hand later in the season when they added; Ryan Scullion, Lee Gibson and Shaun Hirst who all played a major part in the success which was to follow as well as bit part players Chris Wright and Scott Rennie. The rest of the season was tinged with much inconsistency (never better summed up by the 2-1 away defeat by Dumbarton Central and then then sensational 5-1 hammering of Baillieston on their patch). Baring in mind their up-and-down League form, the team finished a credible, but still disappointing, fifth place behind newly crowned Champions Myre Athletic, rejuvenated Clydebank Co, dethrowned Champions Blackstoun United and Clydebank Rovers. But the club managed a major landmark of the season, and in their history, by netting 5 straight victories. In their now infamous cup runs; they fell well short in the League Cup, losing to Blackstoun United (5-2), on a frozen pitch in the quarter-final's, they also dropped out at the same stage in the Wilson Cup, 1-0 to Clydebank Co. All of this came before securing their third consecutive CDL Cup Final - their fifth Cup Final overall: victories against Victoria Park (5-1), Westcliff (0-5), and Kilbowie Thistle in the semi's (4-1 - which was a significant score line as it signalled their biggest ever victory over their rivals - in what would prove to be their final encounter). This saw Atlantis take on Clydebank Rovers at Petershill Juniors Park in Springburn, where, despite dominating the game and giving everything they had, they agonizingly lost 1-0 to an 88th minute strike. Yet the season did not to end here as, just 3 days later, the squad had to pick themselves up for a quarter-final tie at home against Baillieston United. Having beaten Dumbarton Central away 4-3 after extra time earlier in the campaign, Atlantis managed to put the CDL Final behind them with a 3-1 victory over Baillieston to set-up a home tie against favourites and holders, Blackstoun United. This game would mark the third and fourth landmarks in Atlantis season/history; 4-2 down and down to 10 men with only 20 minutes remaining, Atlantis managed to take the tie to extra time - with Dorman making it 4-3 inside the last 10 minutes and Fitzsimmons poking the equalizer in with the last kick of the ball, in the 92nd minute. Dorman then clinched a hat-trick in extra time, to make it 5-4, and Atlantis claimed their first ever victory over Blackstoun - in their last ever meeting. This game also saw Atlantis maintain their 100% winning record at John Brown's, where Park 2 had become somewhat of a "fortress". In the Unico Cup Final which followed 6 days later, on Friday June 4th 2010, Atlantis faced FC Argyle of Alexandria, again, at Petershill Juniors Park. This game finally ended Atlantis long wait for their first trophy as they won the cup in style. A Dorman hat-trick (to take him to 31 goals in his debut season), Gray, McManus and Crawford made sure of a 6-0 victory to end their Cup Final jinx - at the 6th time of asking. A great achievement for the players and management and a proud moment for everyone associated with the club.

Player of the Year: Peter Dorman
Player's Player of the Year: Rab Crawford
Club Merit Award: Kevin Barr
Top Goalscorer: Peter Dorman
Most Improved: Danny Williamson
Goal of the Season: Peter Dorman

2010/11

The club finally fulfilled it's potential in the 2010/11 season by winning an impressive treble!!! Before a ball was kicked the close season saw Chris Cardigan, Mark Reid, Ryan Scullion, Lee Gibson and Kevin O'Donnell leave the club. The management structure was changed again with Ross Fitzsimmons now the club manager and Jimmy Brown brought in permanently, this time, as head coach. New faces were added on the park also, with Danny McKenna, Gary McElhill joining the returning Stephen McGeever, Michael Gourlay, Andy Docherty, James Dorman and Grant Gray. This upheavel made for an indifferent start to the campaign with 2 heavy League defeats (5-3 at home to Clydebank Rovers followed by a 4-0 thumping away to East Kilbride United) in the first 3 League matches. This drubbing was the teams last for a while as they went on a run of 10 straight wins - a club record. This run included a 3-2 comeback victory over Rovers in the Scottish Cup, their first victory over them, an emphatic response against East Kilbride in which they destroyed them 7-3 and topping the table for the first time. During this period the club added James Livingstone, Sean O'Donnell, Andy Gorman, Frankie Sharp and Calum MacPherson to the squad. However, the weather, and as a result a 9 week lay off, prevented these players from getting game time and also brought to a halt the incredible run until after the New Year - which didn't start brightly. A draw away to Dumbarton in the League was followed up by a great performance but ultimately disappointing result, 3-2, against eventual winners Oakwood, of Sauchie in Alloa, in the Scottish Cup last 16. The following week saw the Unico Cup relinquished in the first round after a terrible performance against Rovers, going down 3-2. This result spurred the players on and they went on to claim 13 victories from their next 14 matches. In this time the club bagged it's first trophy of the season as they defeated Renton 6-1 at Ferguslie Park on Sunday 13th March in the Isabel Reid Memorial Cup Final. Goals from Gallacher, a double from Peter Dorman, MacPherson, Conroy and a first ever strike for James Dorman got the job done. In the superb run which followed it saw them destroy Shaw Thistle 23-1 (a new club record) with Stephen Gallacher hitting 6 goals, also a club record as it was the most ever in a single match for the club, and James Livingstone became the first goalkeeper ever to score for the club with a penalty. A 4-0 demolotion of Clydebank Co was impressive but it was the next fixture that set the standard as Clydebank Rovers were annihilated on their own patch (to kill off their impressive undefeated home record) 4-2 in a stunning League victory before Knightswood United also felt the wrath of Atlantis as they were crushed 5-0. Friday 13th May saw the balance of power shift as Atlantis met Clydebank Rovers in the League Cup Final at Airdrie United's Excelsior Stadium. With a tremendous support behind them the boys went out and showed their dominance as MacPherson bagged the winner with a tremendous 29th minute lob to win the game 1-0 and gain revenge for last season's painful CDL Cup Final defeat. Stephen Cook, Craig Grant and Ross Mortimer were added to the squad for the run-in with Kevin O'Donnell also returning. The club could have added the Wilson Cup to their trophy cabinet this season if it weren't for some ridiculous scheduling by the League which saw Atlantis play the semi-final against Whiteinch (4-0 victory) on the Thursday evening and then play the Final just 24 hours later against East Kilbride United, who despite having a weeks rest in between games, only managed to deny Atlantis with a late goal to cancel out McElhill's equalizer and take the cup 2-1. After this there was only two fixtures to play: Knightswood at home and Victoria Park away - if Atlantis won both, they would be Champions - no other outcome would do. The home game against Knightswood became very tense when the visitor's took the lead on 21 minutes. Atlantis pushed but missed golden opportunities. It looked like the title was slipping from their grasp before Kevin O'Donnell got the equalizer on 83 minutes and Sean O'Donnell dramatically won the game in the 89th to amazing scenes of celebration. The final day wasn't quite as intense as goals from Sean O'Donnell, McElhill, Peter Dorman, Damon Gray and an Andy Gorman double secured a 6-1 victory and the CSWFA League Championship. A superb and eventful season for the players and management and a great moment for everyone associated with the club. A season which ended with Atlantis A.F.C as CSWFA League Champions, League Cup Winners, Isabel Reid Memorial Cup Winners, Wilson Cup Finalists, Fair Play Award Winners, CDL Cup semi-finalists and Scottish Cup last 16.

Player of the Year: Damon Gray
Player's Player of the Year: Gary McElhill
Club Merit Award: Paul Conroy
Top Goalscorer: Peter Dorman
Most Improved: Stephen Gallacher
Goal of the Season: Danny McKenna

Management & Players

Manager Ross Fitzsimmons (Fitzy)
Head Coach Jimmy Brown

1 James Livingstone (Livi)
2 Stephen Gallacher (Gal)
3 James Dorman
4 Stephen Cook (Cookie)
5 Jim MacColl
6 Frankie Sharp
7 Kevin Barr
8 Gary McElhill (Gaz)
9 Calum MacPherson
10 Danny McKenna
11 Peter Dorman
12 Mick Taylor
14 Paul Conroy
15 Andy Gorman
16 Damon Gray (Captain)
17 Sean O'Donnell

Honours

2010/11 Central Scottish Welfare FA League Champions
2010/11 League Cup Winners
2009/10 Unico Cup Winners
2010/11 Isabel Reid Memorial Cup Winners
2010/11 Fair Play Award Winners
2011 John Brown’s Memorial Cup Winners

2008/09 DDWFA League Runners-Up
2007/08, 2008/09 & 2009/10 CDL Cup Runners-Up
2008/09 Central FA Cup Runners-Up
2008/09 Unico Cup Runners-Up
2010/11 Wilson Cup Runners-Up

Other Accomplishments:-

Scottish Cup: Quarter-Final - 2006/07
Scottish Cup: Last 16 - 2010/11
CSWFA League Championship: 4th Place - 2008/09, 5th Place - 2009/10
DDWFA League Championship: 3rd Place - 2007/08
CDL Cup: Semi-Final - 2005/06, 2010/11, Quarter-Final - 2006/07
Unico Cup: Semi-Final - 2006/07, 2007/08, Quarter-Final - 2005/06
League Cup: Quarter-Final - 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10
Dunbartonshire Cup: Semi-Final - 2006/07, 2008/09, Quarter-Final - 2005/06
Wilson Cup: Semi-Final - 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, Quarter-Final - 2009/10

Club Landmarks

The first and (so far) only team from Clydebank to win the CSWFA.

The only club to play at every venue where a CSWFA Cup Final was held; Benburb, Petershill, Excelsior Stadium, Ferguslie Park and Vale of Leven.

The only club to have a medal (whether it be winners or runners-up) for each competition within the CSWFA association; League (winners), League Cup (winners), Unico Cup (winners), CDL Cup (runners-up), Wilson Cup (runners-up) and Memorial Cup (winners).

Longest CSWFA Championship Reign: 680 days from 11 Jun 2011 to 20 Apr 2013
Most Consecutive Wins (League): 8 (from 11 Sep 2010 to 22 Jan 2011)
Longest Undefeated Run (League): 14 (from 11 Sep 2010 to 5 Apr 2011)
Most Consecutive Wins (all competitions): 10 (from 11 Sep 2010 to 22 Jan 2011)
Longest Undefeated Run (all competitions): 11 (from 11 Sep 2010 to 5 Feb 2011)
First Victory: 2-0 away v Rapids United (2006)
Biggest Victory: 23-1 away v Shaw Thistle (2011)
Heaviest Defeat: 8-0 away v Blackstoun United (2005)
Highest Scoring Draw: 5-5 away v Rapids United (2005)
Record Appearance Holder: Paul Conroy (174 competitive; 155 starts, 19 sub. 198 including friendlies; 178 starts, 20 sub)
All Time Top Scorer: Rab Crawford (70 competitive goals, 87 including friendlies)
Most Goals In A Season: Peter Dorman, 31 goals (2009/10)
Most Goals In A Match: 6 - Stephen Gallacher v Shaw Thistle (2011)
Most Hat-Tricks (Total): Peter Dorman (6)
Most Hat-Tricks In A Season: Peter Dorman, 5 (2009/10)
Total Number Of Clean Sheets: 24
Most Clean Sheets: Ronnie McQuillan (10 competitive, 11 including friendlies)
Most Clean Sheets In A Season (Team): 11 (2010/11)
Most Clean Sheets In A Season (Competitive): James Livingstone, 7 (2010/11)
Most Clean Sheets In A Season (All Competitions): James Livingstone, 8 (2010/11)

References

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/sport/roundup/articles/2010/06/23/401660-atlantis-triumph-over-argyle?mode=print

External links

• Atlantis A.F.C Official website
• Atlantis A.F.C Facebook website
• Atlantis A.F.C You Tube website
• Atlantis A.F.C Bebo website

Category:Football clubs in Scotland Category:Association football clubs established in 2005 Category:2005 establishments in Scotland