The 2001-02 season saw Newpark FC's quest in Division 3 begin. Weakened by the notable departures of messrs Glenn Dyer, Mark Page and Tony Hughes the side seemed fledging and somewhat weaker in the early stages of the season. Tom Barron also was another loss. A better life in the U S of A proved to be more alluring than cold saturday mornings in New Eltham. The only additions to the squad were Danny Bridge and the permanent signing of Simon Dole.  2001 produced a variety of resonant moments for the club. Who recalls the minutes silence for the 9/11 atrocities and the tearful embraces after England walloped the Germans 5-1 in Munich? Spirits were high - the club did'nt get promoted for nothing.  The opening fixture on 15th September 2001 Bexleyheath provided the acid test for the newly elected Newpark. Chris Roffe has relinquished capataincy and Chris Rowley opted for the armband. In their new dazzling red colours Newpark stormed into a 1-0 lead. Andy Roffe the scorer. Headquarters was now Coldharbour leisure centre. Who can forget them shared dressing rooms and bumpy pitches? Newpark were in total control and seemingly heading for 3 points in their first ever game in division 3. A Tom Dowdle last minute own goal proved costly. 1-1 the final score disappointments all around.  It would turn out to be an enduring campaign. Inconsistancy with team selection and availability proved the achilles heel as Newpark squandered opportunity after opportunity. The Friday night convergences at Bon Bonne and the Venue were taking its toll - what would come first football or fanny?

Back to football and an impressive 4-1 victory over favourites Beaverwood lifted the spirits. Chris Roffe and the leggy Fran Egan Netted a brace each. A win against a poor Brockley reserves sent Newpark to 3rd place. 4-0 with Roffe (2), Gallagher and Bridge completing the rout. Back to back defeats against West Wickham twice, and old enemies Avery Hill sent 'park tumbling down the table. A good win at Eltham Palace boasted morale with Andy Roffe netting 2 and John Norton opening his account with Newpark with a splendid header. The experienced Farnboro (away) were stern opposition forcing a 1-1 draw and a lengthly drinking session afterwards. Where were you when David Beckham scored against Greece? Another draw was to follow. An extraordinary game saw Newpark score 4 times and still manage to draw. The opponents were Blackheath Wanderers who could not believe their luck. A Regan blunder gifted them a 1-0 lead. Roffe and Roffe senior put 'Park 2-1 then Dole and Norton scored to ostensibly wrap up proceedings 4-1. A dismal final 10 minutes saw Newpark concede 3 times to make the score 4-4. Mick Bartlett spilt more then tea after that game. The league adjourned for the Queen Elizabeth Jacques cup round 2. We knocked out holders Johnson & Phillips 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Egan with the deciding kick. Back to the league and title contenders Old Roan B were dealt a massive blow when Park sneaked a 4-3 win at coldharbour. Rowley, Dole, Gallagher and Dowdle on the scoresheet. Scoring was not the issue, defending was and shipping late goals was becoming a regular occurence. This was Park's final game before the winter break and the last game of 2001. Inconceivably Newpark met Old Roan in the first game of 2002 and lost 6-1. Total capitulation and tempers flared after the game in the dressing room. Chris Rowley could not control his temper or indeed his car as it was nicked and dumped in Chislehurst. Andy Roffe grabbed the consolation goal that day. All in all a bad day in the office for Newpark. A 3-1 win over Farnborough with goals from Gallagher, Bridge and Dowdle slightly improved league standings. An unlikely appearance from Tom Barron strengthened the back four and the day heralded a new signing the bullish Danny Jones. Park's cup run was extended with a 3-2 narrow win over division four minnows Red Star Bromley. A Roffe hat-trick saw us through. An away game at Bexleyheath saw an unbelievable goal from Chris Rowley and two from sub Chris Gallagher to silence the boo boys. 3-1 it ended. Newpark appeared resurgent. Runaway Leaders Pernana were the next opponents and despite taking a 2-0 lead after 10 minutes they simply could not finish Newpark off. A Dowdle header and a Murphy tap-in stunned the leaders as Park salvaged a 2-2 draw. Brockley "A" of the 1st division proved too strong in the quarter final of the cup with a 3-0 demolition job. Chris Roffe vomiting in the goal mouth was the only highlight. A 0-3 defeat at Beaverwood pretty much ended any chance of promotion from Division 3. However the next game would be Parks best performance of the season. A sunny afternoon in March saw the league debut of Franco (Richard Franklin) pitch in at centre back. Liam Maloney departed for Thailand to find his inner self. Eltham Royals could not match the tempo, passing and brawling which the referee described "uncontrollable" as Newpark strolled to a 2-0 win thanks to a Roffe brace. The league threatened to dock points from both teams after the referees extensive match report. Both Eltham Royals and Perana would have their revenge with 3-1 and 3-2 wins respectively at the beginning of April 2002. On the same day Arsenal pretty much clinched the title at home to Spurs Newpark hammered Eltham Palace 7-1 with guest appearances from Tommy Mac, John Felts (5 min John) and Stuart Hannan.  Accusations of racial abuse from Newpark never materialised as Park ran riot. Roffe (3), Norton, Hannan, Gallagher and Jones found the net. An injury to Murphy saddened the day, he would miss the Avery Hill fixture with a knee injury. Avery Hill came, saw and took all 3 points on a sunny May Day Saturday. 4-3 the deficit Rowley, Hannan and Roffe with the goals. Both sides would have to settle for mid table obscurity. On FA cup final Saturday before the Gunners went on to beat Chelsea 2-0 Blackheath were demolished 4-1. Not even local hardman "Peter.....Peter KAY....K A Y" could thwart Parks onslaught. Roffe, Norton and Gallagher twice compounded the "Heaths" misery. Gallagher was later dismissed for a 2nd booking. A Bartlett own goal soured the day for Newpark. All in all a mixed season what would lay in store after summer and the World Cup 2002?

Squad 2001-02

Regan, Murphy, Bartlett, Maloney, Egan, Norton, Rowley, Roffe, Roffe A, Dowdle, Bridge, Gallagher, Peters, Barron, Franklin, Jones,Hannan, Felts.

Statistics 2001-02

Pld 22 W10 D4 L8 F 58 A 48 PTS 30

Top Goalscorer: Chris Roffe 14