TEAM NEWS

FDMC received final confirmation from Central Soccer Taranaki last week that there application to join Taranaki's Senior Men's football clubs in the newly revised league format for 2008 had been successful. The 1st X1 squad, known as FDMC Central Finance will take their place in an inaugural 12 team Premier Division that will see them playing against the best local competition in Taranaki - including an eagerly anticipated fixture against old rivals NPBHS.

• The new format will involve every team playing each other once in Round 1 to determine the Top 8 and the Bottom 4 teams respectively.

• In Round 2 the Top 8 teams carry on and play against each other to thrash out the Championship, whilst the Bottom 4 teams join with the Top 4 teams from Division 1 to play out their remaining games of the season. The top two teams in this hybrid division will earn the right to be promoted back into a ten team Premier Division for the 2009 season.

• All of the top 16 teams at the end of Round 1 will proceed into the Duff Rose Bowl competition.

TEAM NEWS

NZSSS LINWOOD CUP 2007 - BRONZE MEDALISTS

As we edge towards a new season lets not forget the fantastic achievements of the 1st X1 squad from 2007, who went unbeaten during the inter school season and reached the semi final of the NZSSS Linwood Cup held in Palmerston North. Locked at 1-1 after extra time in the semi final against Lindesfarne College, FDMC squandered a number of chances to finish them off only to lose narrowly on a penalty shoot out. The boys recovered well to beat local rivals Spotswood College in the 3rd/4th play off and rightly claim the Bronze Medal.

Many of the same players are still eligible to play for the college again this season as they look to set their sights even higher by playing in the Taranaki Senior Men's Premier Division and applying for the pinnacle of NZSSS football - Lotto Premier.

TEAM NEWS

MORGAN HALL LEADS THE WAY!!

FDMC 1st X1 hopefuls being put through there paces during a Pre Season training schedule that started on the 12 February. Training three times a week, these young players are experiencing a very demanding programme of fitness and conditioning in preparation of their first season in the Senior Men's Premier Grade this season. Here are just some of those players giving everything that they have got!!