Phil's fitness battle

Coundon Conservative are hoping that they can count on the experience of midfielder Phil Brumwell on Sunday, as they aim to retain The FA Sunday Cup.

The Wear Valley Sunday League outfit won the competition last year and now face fellow north-east team Hetton Lyons at Anfield.

After captaining Coundon all the way back to The Final this season, Brumwell is now facing a battle against the clock to be fit for Sunday’s match as he is struggling with injury and that comes as something of a blow to boss Paul ‘Pele’ Aldsworth.

Brumwell is undergoing intensive treatment to be fit for the game, but regardless of whether he can play or not, he will be there to back his team-mates.

“I’m just hoping to play, because I’ve been struggling with a side strain,” he revealed.

“I’ve had the physiotherapy and everything, but I’m still doubtful and it’s hard because I’ve been the captain all the way through.

“So it would be fantastic if I could possibly lead the team out and possibly my son too.

“If so that would be great - but if not, I’ll be supporting all of the lads anyway.”

Should Coundon manage to lift the trophy for a second year running, they will join an elite club of teams who have achieved the honour of retaining The Sunday Cup, with St.Joseph’s (Luton) and Fantail.

And Brumwell revealed that it was the prospect of embarking on another Cup run this season that persuaded several of the Coundon team to postpone their ‘retirement’.

“I think a few of the older lads, after last year and winning it, thought that they would maybe pack it in,” he explained.
 
“We had won the ultimate prize in the first year we’d entered the competition, but ‘Pele’ persuaded us all to have another go.

“We just enjoyed the away trips to be honest. We all had a good laugh and a few beers, which is what it was all about for us, having some good trips away and getting the lads together.”