goodguy 7 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 Some of you already know, but I've just officially 'retired' from playing soccer, most likely hockey as well.17 July 2009 - Grading game for indoor soccer, playing against a good team that maybe taking the game a little too seriously. My gut feel before the game was not to play, especially since I was flying out the next day with my family for a short holiday in Melbourne. We havent taken a holiday for 2 years, and since I was going to Melbourne for work we decided to spend some time there together. Game went ok, scored two goals with my left peg, blasting both goals easily past the goalie. Later in the game, i was defending and tried to block a shot... guy shooting was a little too overzealous and followed the blocked shot with his whole body weight. My left knee buckled, and if I wasnt wearing my knee brace I shudder to think how bad it would have been. I've been down this road twice before, and I already know the consequences.... long layoff, and due to work I wont be able to get full time physio going. 3 strikes... time to hang up the boots, and possible hockey skates as well. I've been hobbling around Melbourne the last two days trying to keep a brave face on, and I know my wife knows I'm in pain as well. I've now got the disappointing task to call the State Team Captain/Coach, and tell him I might need to withdraw from the team... as much as I believe I can play in 2 months time for the Nationals, I dont think it would be fair to the guys on the team, nor a replacement if I didnt attend any hockey training or warm up games.Thanks to you guys on MSH, for making me a gear whore... Although it has nearly put me in the poor house, I think I've gained a lot of knowledge, experience, and not to mention a garage FULL of gear. Special thanks to a select few for being my point of contacts in the US, consolidating and shippipng gear to me.... I owe you (and the naggy wives) a drink or two. Also thanks to those who gave me advice on which gear to get instead of something else... you've save me a ton of money that could have been used elsewhere.Moving forward, I might be managing the indoor soccer team... just making sure we have eyes on how we are going, which players need to swap out earlier than usual. I wish I hadnt accepted the task of coaching some of the junior hockey team members, as I dont even know if I can skate now. I also wish I hadnt gone and gotten nearly a full set of goalie gear.... I love making glove saves with a big windmill, doubt that will happen again.I'm only going to keep one set of gear, hoping that I can play again.... everything else, including all my newly acquired goalie gear is going up for sale. Shoot me a PM or two if you think I might have what you want, chances are I've got it. Make me a reasonable offer, and we can work something out. For those that have yet to send out the gear to me, please send me a PM and we'lll work something out. Some still owe me some money, and we'lll work the best possible way forward.Thanks again guys... I'll still be around for sure, cant drive the whore out of me. I wont be able to reply to emials or PMs for the next few days, but once I'm back home I'll reply when I can.Started playing co-ed indoor soccer league a few years back - I had played into college and thought: "no problem" it will be fun to play with freinds and wives on the team (seeing as we were about thirty years old then and it would be easy fun right?) - shit it was competitive. I got in more near fist fights than I care to imagine. Lots of hacks who can't play but try, instead, to run you over because they can't control themselves. Since decent women players were at a premium in the league, my wife was asked to sub for the game just prior to ours - I said "don't" she did anyway. Well, someone stepped on her foot when she was turning and bam ...torn ACL, torn meniscus, etc etc etc...eventually surgery, rehab, etc...no more soccer. Soccer is rife with injuries....I see it all the time, no pads, full speed contact on occassion, headers (into another head no less) some jokers think soccer is "easy" because all you have to do is kick a ball...so they get out there (being way too overzealous for a "recreational" league) and try to to make up for a lack of skill and potentially hurt other players. While I used to love soccer when I was young, I now play hockey because I feel safer (strange as it sounds). The good thing about hockey is you have to at least be a decent skater (hence maybe have some skill and maybe some self control and knowledge of the game) to even catch anybody let alone be effective. In soccer, you get any yahoo who thinks because he can run, he can play soccer and gets out there and hacks away at anything that moves and has no "feel" for the game.Good luck on your recovery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 For me, soccer was my first love. Been playing for close to 30 years... represented school, district, and even Army unit level. I took great pride in having the hardest shot around, and practiced taking freekicks from the half way line when I was 14-15years old. The school roof that was behind the goal was pretty riddled with holes after my buddy and I started taking it more seriously. I remember playing soccer during recess as well, and our primary (elementary) kids would line up behind the goal before going back to class while the older kids like myself had our recess. One time, i took the ball to the halfway line, thinking that I wouldnt do much damage from that range. Curled a beauty , missed the goal, and hit a teacher. I ran up and apologised, getting an earful for doing something stupid like that. Told her (while trying not to laugh) that it was an accident. Went to take another freekick from the halfway line, and hit the same teacher again! She was cursing and close to swearing, and told me to report to the Head of the PE dept... I apologised again, but she confiscated the ball. Had to go to the Head of PE and explain, and he had a good laugh about it.Anyways... no more soccer for me. Going to get myself fit and just play hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kovyperron5727 0 Report post Posted August 6, 2009 It's actually unbelievable lately how many guys in our hockey league are getting injured playing soccer. I bought out a guy's spring season because he broke his foot at a soccer game.Good luck to you - hope you can play again. I'd go nuts if I had to hang up my skates now so I can imagine how you feel.Kyle Wellwood from last season comes to mind. Indoor soccer is how he broke his foot.fatwabbit, I'm sorry to hear all of that man. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Chiropractors, stretching, and a little self-physio... and now I'm back on skates! The knee still feels a little weaker, but I'm not as concious about it as before!I've started to help out with the kids training sessions, and did hockey stops on both feet last night. My shooting needs a little work while leaning on the left foot, but its looking like I'm heading to the Nationals in a month...Thanks for all the encouragement guys! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwyren 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 It is good to read that your knee is getting better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 thanks man... I'm thanking my lucky stars (and guardian angel, who definitely has a full time job).Sunday is state team training... gonna take it easy, and see how it goes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cove 38 Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Great story man, congrats on your recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie Joe 0 Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Chiropractors, stretching, and a little self-physio... and now I'm back on skates! The knee still feels a little weaker, but I'm not as concious about it as before!I've started to help out with the kids training sessions, and did hockey stops on both feet last night. My shooting needs a little work while leaning on the left foot, but its looking like I'm heading to the Nationals in a month...Thanks for all the encouragement guys!Nats are in your city too Kev, get pumped it will no doubt be a great yr for "WA all the way!". ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9 Unit 1 Report post Posted August 23, 2009 ye thats good to hear, keep it up :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drewhunz 3 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 We'll just give you a Mulligan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 Thanks... and yes the Nationals are in Perth this year! Woohoo! Got an old mate from South Australia staying with me for the duration of the Nationals... so if we play against him I'll conveniently leave him at home and drive to the rink!Yesterday's training was a blast! didnt matter that we were doing some old drills, it was good to be back on skates again. I told myself to take it easy, but after the first 30 minutes I was trying to go full tilt! Scored during the scrimmage with a snap shot, and another one time snap top-corner glove side after a nice pass from Vlad.Knee is a bit sore today, but thats expected after not playing for a while plus the muscles arent 100% yet. I can deal with the slight swelling and soreness after each session, as long as I can keep playing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 Back to playing once a week, but with some soreness the day after... resisted the urge to play soccer numerous times, only going to stick with hockey... for now....Trained with the team yesterday, then scrimmage with the 17 year olds... man, can hardly keep up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ktang 34 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 That is one amazing recovery. Here's to continued work, luck and success! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted September 16, 2009 That is one amazing recovery. Here's to continued work, luck and success! I think it was down to prayer and a heavily overworked guardian angel. I know I'll never get back to 100%, but I'm content with playing again. I wish I could continue playing soccer as well, as the team at work that I helped to start is really taking off.Thanks for the wishes... they did keep me going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phunky_monkey 6 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 Good to hear Kev. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
farhanshak 1 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 Hey Kevinget well soon man. I hope you make a fast and speedy recovery. dont let those 17 year olds outwork you :D best wishes man.get lots of rest and dont go near a soccer ball...lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 the 17year olds might be much faster, but they have a thing to learn about keeping their head up. two of them got floored (one by me unintentionally when he crossed into my path) and one almost got hit hard by our D man when he tried to poke the puck after the goalie smoothered it...Soccer is now only reserved to be played in the office. we kick the ball around when we all just have a bad day (the cubicle walls dont help, but hey who cares!) Try punting an aussie rules football around the main wall, past 4 cubicles and into the storage area near the back.. only one guy's been able to do since we started trying 2 months ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted October 5, 2009 Last update for this thread...Just finished the Nationals, played 7 games and scoring a goal... got the puck at the center of the rink passed it to the left and hussled my ass off to the net. Pass came back to me just as I tried to stop in front of the goalie... lost my footing, but managed to the tip the puck towards the net. Puck hits the left goalie leg pad, pops up above 12" above the pad...me still sliding forward I rolled over and kicked the puck forward, off teh goalie pad again and into the net... all I see next is the ref pointing and awarding the goal.My role for the tournament was to fill in the lines when necessary... we had two very solid lines, everyone doing their part and playing well together. I didnt have the confidence to outskate some of the opposition, so maybe that was why I was not trying to dangle my way thru everything... get the puck, look for the open man, dish it off and get back to waving my ass in the goalie's face. To be honest, I wouldnt care even if I only got one or two shifts. To be suited up, cheering my team mates on from the bench, screaming my head off at the refs for poor calls. To be part of the team, is more than I could have asked for after the last 3 months. The soreness after the games isnt too bad... just love the feeling of being on skates, and looking up at the crowd... fan-f*cking-tastic...Oh, and we've got bragging rights for the next 12 months... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darkbyte 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2009 ^^ B) It was great to watch, the gold medal game was quite a cliffhanger .... I havent had a chance to go through all of my photos yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted October 5, 2009 you think that was bad... you should have seen the guys after we went home after drinks... SMASHED... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
