The Chiefs, the Soccer and the never say quits attitude !

The Chiefs: A team of diverse individuals, each with a varying football skill and age level, but with one passion – football.

The Team: 

G. Davey (C) (Striker/ Midfield - South African/ Oz), 

D. McGarry (Defence LB - Irish), 

D. Winckles (Defence LB - British), 

M. Bekker (GK) (South African), 

R. Porrua (Midfield - Spanish), 

N. Saa (Midfield - Italian), 

A. Rao (Defence RB - Indian), 

Tanguy De Bock (Striker CF - Belgian), 

Narcisse (Midfield – Ivory Coast), 

R. Sharma (Left Midfield - Indian), 

Tamara Odeh (Defence LB), 

S. Studer (Right Midfield - Swiss), 

S. Loeschner (Defence CB - German), 

Al Faisal (Striker - Kuwait)

The Chiefs were a team formed during the IE Football League 2008-2009 and consisted of MBA students from IE Business School (mostly from class of 2009). The Chiefs were never the favourites in the first place, but their craving for fitness and playing football marked them a rank higher, despite losing most of the matches in season 1, although season 2 was no different. While if season 1 was all about forming and gelling as a unit, season 2 was finding the right form and putting in strategy. Ever heard of the “I quit” syndrome? Well the “I/We quit” virus never hit The Chiefs. This team always learnt their lessons from what they did, but unfortunately ended up in the drudges in some of the matches mainly due to fitness. The truth is losing builds character. Only then getting out of the bed requires courage and persistence. Then you call them that these people are born winners. However, The Chiefs never gave up, and each player would turn out to the field every weekend, with full enthusiasm, trying to win those 40 minutes, peak their fitness amidst heavy academic and internship workloads. This has only helped the team to train towards positive thoughts and deeds as the captain Gareth Davey would put it every weekend. If I could rightly put it on behalf of the team, this league was an unending journey of friendship, people, challenges, beers and hurdles, but most importantly of fruitful completion. The Chiefs knew who they were and celebrated for what they were, a team with an ability and passion to think, act, live and most importantly enjoy each game. Kudos to the chiefs...

“When you become a “chief”, you learn the hard way. No glory, no prestige, no victories, no loyal supporters, some deserters in search of better prospects…To those of you who courageously run yourselves into the ground every weekend and wear our colours with pride, here is my appreciation and admiration - “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”” – Rene Porrua

“A diverse group of chaotic-minded people who pretend to know all about soccer magic and Gijon's soccer tactics while performing theatre-like pedantic shows every Sunday for the benefit of their weak bodies and opponents. They perform well under adverse conditions, especially snow blizzard, and love to punctuate a season with cherry-like cartoon inspired Peléistic stunning goals. In brief, they are the indispensable free-running electron of a system that is in need of dreams. Chiefs, make the dream happen!” – Tanguy De Bock

“I see the individuals coming back every weekend, trying to play, trying to win, trying to run and trying to score. Looking back we would be proud that we never quit and kept trying. That’s Chief!!” – Anand Rao

“P.S. in London this weekend (again)” – Tamara Odeh :)