Futsal UY Legend - Paddy Drysdale

By Myles Preston:

Patrick Drysdale should be looked upon as a legend in the short history of
York Futsal Club. However there are some common misconception about where
his legendary status comes from. Drysdale wasn't the greatest futsaller in
the World, and never claimed to be. Solid enough, unspectacular, he did a
job. Drysdale wasn't the greatest captain either. Although Futsal UY came
runners up in the league and cup, with the talent that Drysdale had at his
disposal, one could argue that Futsal UY could have and should have won the
lot. Drysdale however, was a fantastic president. And this is where his
legendary status comes from. He ran the Club 'like it was a State' (to quote
an anonymous admirer), and certainly put it on the map in terms of competing
on a National Level, and even within the University by coaxing many Freshers
to play (such as myself) who didn't even know what Futsal was.

It could be argued that Drysdale created many internal divisions within the
club (particularly between the First and Second team), but I would argue
that it was a good thing because it created controversy, interest, and most
importantly competition which attracted young and hungry players who
scrapped and clawed their way into the first team where they now remain.
Drysdale was no mug. He knew that a line had to be drawn in the sand, and
his relentless pursuit of success for himself and the club was the epitomy
of evolution. The healthy state that the club is in now can be attributed
down to him. He was 'Der Fuhrer', but in this writer's view that was
certainly a good thing for a club that was seemingly lacking success and
direction before the Drysdale Era came to pass.

By Round Dave

In his second year he served as club treasurer under Lilly, along with
this, his 3 legged dogs continued to dominate the futsal tournaments,
winning all 3 in the second year an incredible feat. However, Drysdales
true legacy only began when he became President. As President, Drysdale
moved the club in a new direction, making the club more focused and
ambitious. As captain of the second team, he introduced new training
methods thanks partly to the influence of Dutchman Ties and also by
studying the training methods of Simon Cliffords Garforth Town.

Drysdales second team reached new heights, beating the 1st team 6-0 twice
on the way to finishing runners up in both the York League and cup, a sign
of his success as captain was the eventual graduation of 5 members of the
futsal UY squad to this years 1st team, including player of the year,
Andrew Wakeford and new 1st team captain Jonny McWilliams.

However, it wasnt just the second team that benefitted, the club toured
the Czech Republic entering a UEFA tournament and again entering IUTT in
Holland, where the clubs two sides finished 10th and 15th respectively and
also won the fair play trophy. On the domestic front, the club took part in
tournaments in Hull, Grimsby, Rotherham, Teeside and Edinburgh. They also
entered the innaugraul Futsal Premier League, which the 1st team qualified
for the finals in London. Possibly his finest hour, however, was the
organising of the PWC Open, a tournament conceived on the way back from
Brno, a one day tournament featuring 8 teams from the North of England, a
raging success which is bound to become a date in the futsal calendar for
years to come.

It would appear that Drysdale spent the entire year focussed on futsal and
although that may be true he did also have his wild moments. For example
pulling a fine looking girls mother whilst in Brno and being kicked out of
the gallery at presidents weekend for jumping over the counter and
attempting to steal a bottle of WKD. There were many sides to Drysdale,
however, he will be remembered for the dynamic way in which he changed the
Futsal club! And for this Patrick Drysdale truely is a legend of Futsal!


By Ed Humphries

Camp, metro-sexual and laidback are not words that describe the Futsal
president succeeding Lilly. Futsal was to witness the biggest change in
Presidential style since history began. Out went Gandhi, in came Stalin.
Whereas Stalin had five year plans, this young man from Tunbridge Wells
(near London) had a one year plan - to change Futsal for ever.

Let's start at the beginning. Paddy Drysdale was born on 23rd December 1984.
As a baby he looked similar to his appearance now. Having achieved all he
wanted to achieve in life before coming to university, he greeted York with
the apathy and disinterest. He just wanted to take drugs with Swamp. This
was soon to change when he found Futsal. Suddenly, that burning desire to
succeed returned. He tossed away the pills and syringes and made a name for
himself as a tough tackling defender with a decent left peg (though not as
good a Carl's, his shots were still quite powerful and reasonably accurate).


Most people, without drive, would be happy with making tackles and twatting
the occasional long ranger. Not Paddy, 21 (then 19). He wanted power and
money. The Futsal treasury was soon his.

As Chancellor, Paddy only needed say 'the cash-point is just outside the
Sports Hall'. Membership fees in, job done. He was the most efficient
Chancellor to date. Yet, like Gordon Brown, or a young Hitler, Drysdale
wanted more. He wanted to get on the Legends board. He needed to be
President. This was achieved on a dark Tuesday night in March 2005, in a
sausage restaurant. Drysdale survived a late surge from Ron, who has never
been seen at Futsal, to be voted in as Futsal's next President.

Immediately, Drysdale sought to take Futsal in a new direction. The first
team was flung into the York League and a second team was created. By
October, the university had entered two teams into the York League and had
numerous friendlies arranged in glamorous northern cities. Drysdale also
took control of the second team (Futsal UY) and selected a bunch of
talented, determined and, in Myles' case, gay freshers. By the end of the
York League, Futsal UY had defeated the first's 6-0 twice and finished
runners up in the league and cup. The cup defeat on penalties against
Norwich Union after a five all draw, will live long in the memory.
Naturally, Drysdale dispatched his penalty.

Away from twatting in left footed penalties and beating the firsts, Drysdale
organised the first PWC York University Open in the newly opened tent. The
national champions Doncaster Deaf were in attendance as well as teams from
East Anglia, Teesside, Rotherham and Grimsby. There was even a Tannoy system
which blasted out music and scores, until it blew up after apparently being
sabotaged by a member of Doncaster Deaf. On the back of regional press
coverage, Drysdale also blagged York into the Mizuno Cup in the Czech
Republic. The team somewhat heavily but Drysdale pulled a 45 year old, which
he said was 'better then twatting in penalties'.

Drysdale will be remembered as a President who took team Futsal to a new
stratosphere. His also recognised the importance of banter, even though his
contributions were often poor and homophobic. Drysdale currently lives in
London. He is 21.