Hillingdon Heath

[Tom Millson]

Hillingdon Heath Season 1 Round Up

The League Winning Team



Trophies Won



The League Table



The Heath



The Finances



Season Review
Hillingdon Heath had a very rocky start to the season. An ageing side suffered a 2-0 home defeat against a bot team in the first leg of the Cup's Preliminary Round. This poor result at the bottom of football meant the board quickly sought a change in management. Mere hours after the defeat, local man Tom Millson was brought in to steady the ship.

Millson's arrival saw a lot of the deadwood immediately axed. The board agreed with Millson to pay compensation for these players so long as it led to new and exciting players being brought in. Millson sought to stabilise the defence and brought in Egyptian right-back Shady El Mahs, who would go on to score all 4 of Hillingdon's penalties that season; and Thai centre-back Surasak Wongkoon. Added to that were attacking options Marcel Sontsa Kenfack of Cameroon and Polish striker Christian Wachowski. Both would put in dazzling performances that season.

The return trip in the Cup's Preliminary second leg saw Hillingdon draw 1-1 away. It was a markedly improved performance and despite being knocked out of the Cup at the earliest stage, there were positives to take away. Tom Millson quickly arranged a number of friendlies in the build up to the League campaign. His only victory was a 4-2 win while three other friendlies ended in defeat.

The first day of the League season saw a complete step into the unknown. Millson didn't know how his players would cope in competitive, long term football. A relatively simple 3-0 home victory put many fans, players and staff at ease. More victories followed as Millson brought in more players in skilfull right midfieder Stephen Lokman, Brazilian defensive midfielder José Antônio Colella, promising attacking midfielder Trương Văn Quyết and talented striker Rotem Srur.

Văn Quyết's introduction saw Millson's 4-4-2 wide diamond formation truly complete and the team was looking the best it had ever been. More victories followed as Hillingdon kept pace with the other teams yet to drop points. The first big game came against the strong MADSANTIER who boasted some big attacking options. Millson bought powerful centre-back Fábio José Souza de Castro to further strengthen an already assured defence that had only conceded one goal so far. The game finished 2-0, the clean sheet being more pleasing than the goals. Tom Millson made no further signings that season.

Again, more wins followed as Hillingdon began to break clear. The next big game came against goal-happy ridwan FC who were constantly breathing down Hillingdon's necks. This away fixture saw Hillingdon win 4-0 in a dazzling display that showed they were capable of completing a perfect season.

More wins followed and Millson strengthened his squad even more by giving central midfielder Lee Omoboye a shot at power training. Omoboye had no place in the wide diamond employed by Millson, but the manager saw his potential and power trained him into a central attacking midfielder. Three days later, the training was complete and Hillingdon's strength in depth grew.

As the season passed the halfway point, the chances of Hillingdon winning the League were increasing every day. While some games were more difficult than others and an injury crisis to players like the solid Colella, reliable Wongkoon and leading scorer Srur, Hillingdon always somehow pulled through.

The days wore down and after 22 games, Hillingdon Heath were mathematically the League Champions. Despite this sweet success, the team pushed on for that glorious perfect League campaign. The last two games were fittingly played at The Heath where the sun shone and the crowd cheered in jubilation. Nearest rivals ridwan were convincingly beaten once again while Team Arab's 11 game unbeaten run was destroyed in a 6-1 massacre that saw the Hillingdon team finally lift the trophy they deserved.


Player of the Season
1. César Escobar Fretes (GK)
César was a rock in goal. He has kept 17/26 clean sheets where in only one game he has conceded more than one goal. It gives the defence a lot of confidence to know that they have a solid keeper to fall back on. César was always on hand to deal with tricky corners, free kicks and one-on-one situations. César is a player I inherited when I took over Hillingdon Heath and I love putting his name first on the teamsheet. In one season, he has grown from three stars to five stars. His development will slow as he turns 22 tomorrow, but he still has a promising career ahead at The Heath.

2. Rotem Srur (ST)
This player only just lost out to César Escobar Fretes by virtue of time at the club and appearances. Rotem joined in the second quarter of the season and was hit by injury in the third quarter. Despite this, he was the League's top scorer by 9 goals while also laying on several vital assists for his team. I expect Rotem to hit 30 goals next season. Tomorrow he turns 20, so he has another good two seasons in him to show the fans of Hillingdon what he can do.

3. Marcel Sontsa Kenfack (ML)
Marcel was my first signing as manager. It would prove to be one of my best all season. He was the League's top passer with an incredibly 17 assists. On top of that, he wasn't afraid to score the odd screamer or curler. He is the perfect complement to Rotem Srur and these two players definitely have a couple of seasons left together to keep runnings rings around opposition defences. Marcel turns 23 tomorrow so is still on course to keep improving.

Special Mentions go to: Elliot Uwezu (DL); Fábio José Souza de Castro (DC); Christian Wachowski (ST)
Club captain Elliot Uwezu had a phenomenal season. The young left back played with his heart on his sleeve both on the pitch and on the training ground. His early promise, aerial defender ability and solid play earned him his captain's title, which he greatly deserved. He even scored some goals, but it was his timely tackles and invaluable blocks that made him so valuable to the team.

I knew Fábio José Souza de Castro was perfect for me ever since I saw him on the market. I purchased him in time for the biggest game of the season and he has not let me down ever since. I compare him to Chelsea defender David Luiz, also Brazilian. This guy is not afraid to burst forward and wreak havoc. On top of that, he has a sweet right foot that has seen him score 12 goals; most of them free kicks.

Christian Wachowski is the kind of striker every manager loves to have. He knows when to shoot and he knows when to pass. His one-on-one ability has been incredibly handy and he always keeps his cool. 16 goals and 13 assists have been incredible for a striker who could be forgiven for thinking he plays in the shadow of Rotem Srur.


Player Achievements
Top Scorers
1. Rotem Srur (ST): 27
2. Christian Wachowski (ST): 16
3. Fábio José Souza de Castro (DC): 12
4. Trương Văn Quyết (AMC): 7
5. Marcel Sontsa Kenfack (ML), Jack Elenge (ST): 6

Top Passers
1. Marcel Sontsa Kenfack (ML): 17
2. Christian Wachowski (ST): 13
3. Rotem Srur (ST): 7
4. Trương Văn Quyết (AMC): 3
5. Jack Elenge (ST): 2

Top Appearances
1. Elliott Uwezu (DL): 28
2. César Escobar Fretes (GK): 27
3. Shady El Mahs (DR): 26
4. Christian Wachowski (ST): 24
5. Surasak Wongkoon (DC): 23


Moving Forward
In preparation for the new season, Tom Millson is set to make some more squad changes to keep the team competitive as they challenge for a treble. Strength in depth is Millson's priority to combat the days where two games are played. It is not yet known how many players Millson will bring in, but it is rumoured to be between 4-7. Millson is expecting some youth arrivals on day 3 of the season; just before the League kicks off. He has told the board he will wait until then before making his move in the market, unless he spots potential brilliance in the auctions. Key positions Millson may look for are: MR, DR, ML, DMC, GK, ST, and DC.

Tom Millson has been overhead discussing the squad status of central midfielder Laurent Yanz with the Assistant Manager. The Swiss player has trained well day in, day out, but his position doesn't fit in with Millson's squad. The coaches are exploring the option of power training him to become either a right or left midfielder, or potentially a defensive midfielder.

Millson has been heard to say he is delighted with the current squad and there is a core of 14 players he will not sell this season. He expects the core team and incoming transfers to all play regularly through rotation. He is aiming for another top four finish in the League and to challenge for the Champions League. Furthermore, his unavoidable Cup exits leaves Millson with unfinished business for that trophy. Millson has told fans and players that next season, the League title is the priority, but the Cup and Champions League will be given the same amount of attention and effort by all in the club.