==Origin==

Cherrypickers FC arose from the ashes of the Glenbuck Cherrypickers, a Division 10 team in the Dublin 11-a-side Astro League.

The first few games began brightly until the original manager stepped down, citing pressure, in a move similar to Kenny Dalglish's inability to deal with pressure when in charge of Liverpool.

His replacement....well, the less said the better.

And so the club folded.

Phoenix From The Flames

Then in late 2007, in the Stag's Head, a few survivors drunkenly discussed rising from the ashes of Glenbuck Cherrypickers and so the seed was planted and within minutes they had made the bold move to appoint an Offaly man to lead them through that Valley of Darkness to the Promised Land. The Irish government soon followed suit.

The club retained their old kit as a means to motivate and a reminder of how pear-shaped things can go.

Summer Season 2008

Football Club FC

The season kicked off with a tough away match against Football Club FC. Despite being abysmal in the first half, they got their act together and were teh better team in the second half but couldn't get the elusive third and lost 3-2.

Alpine Express

Another away-day and another abysmal first half performance saw the Cherrypickers 2-0 down at half time. Again, the second half was a vast improvement and after pulling one back, the Cherrypickers laid siege to the Alpine Express goal and but for the 'keeper making a save with the agility of a cat on speed, would have drawn level. Having set up camp in the Alpine Express half, the Cherrypickers conceded a third goal - the killer - through a quick break following a corner. 1-3.

AMT Sybex

A second game in a row without a proper 'keeper. The game was woeful. The most notable incident was someone tripping over or something along those lines. I can't really remember. I'd have apologised to the ref for being subjected to 60 minutes of that but he was getting paid. 0-0

Nigeria FC

A tough proposition. They were top of the table and quickly it was apparent why. They were comfortable on the ball and passed it with purpose. Anto, Steo, Johnno, Micko et all were on the annoying side: possibly a subtle but effective tactic. That said, the Cherrypickers took the lead when a free kick was floated in towards goal and the 'keeper flapped comically only helping it in. The joy was shortlived after the celebrity referee, Mr Magoo, gave a penalty for a sliding tackle that wasn't. 1-1.

However, early in teh second half the Cherrypickers took the lead again when the striker cooly lobbed the 'keeper.

Controersy wasn't far around the corner. With the score at 2-1, a ball was played through to the striker who'd just scored. The 'keeper raced out of his area to meet him but seemed to confuse football with rugby and proceeded t wrestle the striker to the ground. Mr Magoo waved away any notion of waving a card of any description in the direction of the keeper.

The Cherrypickers started to drop deep as Anto and friends pushed forward and scored two late goals. 2-3.

FHR Galacticos

Hot on the heels of one good team came another. Again, no 'keeper proved to be the Cherrypickers downfall as a couple of comical goals went in. 5-1 loss and a comprehensive one at that.

Sage

Without being cruel or arrogant, they were easily the worst team in the league. They beat us 5-0.

Our case wasn't helped by starting the game with 7 players, managing to get one sent to the sin bin as a result of having 12 men on the pitch and then having 2 of the 12 that turned up get injured. In thinking it better to have 11 on the pitch, one of the injured players went in goals. Bad idea. He couldn't move. We might as well have just put a garden gnome there. So despite them being a bit rubbish, they managed to get a few shots on target and score with them.

We created nothing against them, to be fair to them.

The crashing sound afterwards was the Cherrypickers hitting rock bottom. Figuratively and literally.

John FC

Changes were made. They had to be. A switch to 3-5-2 was decided upon and it brought about a good result. We attacked a fair bit and our 'keeper's gloves were still in pristine condition afterwards. The only concern being not converting enough chances but take your points, the goals will come as the oul sages watching the Gah say a lot. 1-0.

Woodbine

5 (FIVE)- 0 to teh Cherrypickers. It had everything. Solid defence, attacking verve and goals. The new formation stifled the opposition down the middle and they hadn't a Plan B. They threw in the towel once teh second goal came (assisted by a long throw that was so accurate it seemed to be guided by a GPS system. A great throw. One that'll appear on those 'Top 50 Moments in Sporting History' DVDs). Two wins in a row. A new feeling for the Cherrypickers.

Athletic AFC

A poor performance in light of the opposition's league position and the rich vein of form the Cherrypickers had been in. Took the lead in the first half but conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time. But for a couple of fantastic saves, the Cherrypickers could have left with no points. 1-1

Halway mark

As Bertie would say "Another few K should do it"....or possiby more relevant, a lot done, a lot more to do. The changed formation has improved defensive solidity and has shown how it can help in attack as well. The intensity of Cherrypicker play has improved and no quarter is given in the tackle. A lot of room for improvement but the trend is finally upward and should continue.

A finish in the top 4 is conceivable.

Excelsior.