VIG Club Gets Underway
31.07.19 – This Time, it Didn’t go Pete Tong
Wednesday 31st July marked a special day in GatorHistory. We launched our very first VIG Club; get it?! As a company, we wanted to give back to the customers who give us a reason to get up in the morning. Those customers who take loyalty and dedication to the product to the next level.
We have organized a series of events over the coming months including small intimate round-table sessions. These events give our customers a space to voice their thoughts and ideas on leadership, Marketing Automation and Lead Generation. We are allowing our customers to have a say on what we do next with the product roadmap and be part of the latest cutting-edge market research.
To cut the proverbial ribbon to the first set of VIG’s, Lee & Co. took a handful of customers to Sandown Racecourse, to enjoy an evening of quality racing followed by an epic performance from Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra… Not to mention the free bar!
The evening began with a civilized presentation from Lee Chadwick, outlining the next steps to be taken by the company and a lively discussion allowing our customers to share their thoughts. Now onto the betting!
Steph was found around 8 pm drowning her losses, crying into a glass of bubbles, while David Leach from Cyclepods stole the show, winning a whopping £170 on the last race on a horse called Young Merlin – The next round is on you, David! Pete Tong WOW’d with his incredible orchestra and mesmerizing light show throwing out all the classics for everyone to “Mosh” too – in the words of David.
All in all, the launch of the VIG Club went off with great success. There was the perfect mix of information on Gator and upcoming news and casual drinks with lots of belly laughs and it’s always a bonus for someone to have a nice winner. The evening will be followed up this month with a more intense, intimate round-table session where our customers can dig deep into the product. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
CommuniGator FC
09.08.18
Oppo: Ajax You Nicely
Score: 0-20
CFC went into this game feeling confident, having sealed 3 deals on Deadline Day to bring in Chris Morgan from Real (ity Finance), Rodrigo Vila Perea from PHD Complete and Rew Hawkins on loan from Grace.
However, the absence of last week’s scorers, Josh and Josh, combined with fitness issues which have been a recurring feature of this season, soon took a toll.
Despite hard running from all the players, a sharper, fitter Ajax side dominated possession and quickly racked up the goals.
Long range efforts from Simon Moss and James Wiltshire were unable to find the mark, and CommuniGator FC finished the game without a goal.
A spokesman for the team said in a post-match conference “it’s not the winning that counts, it’s the taking part. Right, lads? Lads?”
CommuniGator FC
16.08.18
Oppo: Reservoir Pogs
Score: 3-6
As our rounders social was clashing with this week’s fixture, main first team players thought they had their priorities straight by playing rounders (technically international duty) and skipping the game against the top of the table.
Our striker Oliver fell ill on the day, Josh Campling was still recovering from a heavy festival, and Patrick Hurd-Wood felt like he needed a sesh with the boys. Struggling with players our captain Sulley had to rustle a couple of feathers, make a few calls to get a team and play himself despite a foot injury. only 2 CommuniGator employees were represented with 2 ex-employees and 2 ringers.
Game time and with a strategy in place but no subs, CommuniGator FC were determined not to let the previous week’s hammering dampen their spirits. They took the initiative to score first, however shortly after they conceded to make the game level. As the half went on CFC grew in confidence and scored 2 goals in quick succession to lead 3-1. Just before the break we conceded a goal from a corner through an excellent finish from the opposition defender (top bins all day) going in the break 3-2 up.
The lack of subs, as well as fitness issues allowed the opposition team to get a rhythm and play in our third, with some questionable defending they scored 3 goals to take initiative and control the game. Although CFC tried to push up they didn’t create many chances and the fulltime whistle blew. Considering they had an unknown squad and many drop outs against a very good opposition, CommuniGator FC held their own and every player was proud of their effort.
World Series of Rounders 2018
Being surrounded by green fields, it’s criminal that we aren’t outside every day of the summer! On the basis that you can have too much of a good thing? Once a year we invade Peper Harow Cricket Club for the World Series of Rounders!
With the partners and children of numerous Gators swelling the ranks, and excellent BBQ provided by games2hire, 3 battle-ready teams took to the field.
Team Vicky were the first to bat, racking up an astonishing 29 rounders. Game on!
Team Richard rose to the challenge. 24 rounders later and the competition was wide open.
Last to the plate, Team Jo scored a solid 20, with several home runs making it clear that this was not going to be a two-horse race!
If the riveting spectacle of rounders wasn’t enough for the resting team, there was giant Connect-4, Total Wipeout and a bouncy castle to keep them occupied.
Even though this was officially billed as a friendly fixture, the referees had plenty to do as competitive streaks emerged from some unexpected places. Jessica Brick proved especially strong in settling the classic out/not out argument.
As the Sun began to set, Team Vicky put in another commanding performance to seal the win. Bring on next year! (But not too soon, the golden oldies of Gator were still sore the next day!)
CommuniGator FC
23.08.18
Oppo: Figment Flames
Score: 2-4
Are CommuniGator FC reaching something that could be called a fitness level?
This week’s fixture saw the team playing a more structured game, which paid off with the lion’s share of possession, good pressure on the opposition half and several shots on goal. The scoreboard was still blank at half time, was a first win of the season about to emerge?
The future looked bright as another strong spell of control ended with a slick finish from captain Sully to put CFC ahead. Unfortunately Figment Flames were quick on the counter-attack, and took advantage of a slow reaction to level the score, then add another to take the lead.
CFC slowed the game down and rediscovered their shape, and the reward soon came in the form of a screaming goal from Pete Wilkes to cap an impressive first performance in Gator white.
Despite such strong play in every position, 2 late Flames goals denied CFC a much needed point. The feeling in the camp was positive despite the final score. That first win is on the horizon!
CommuniGator FC
30.08.18
Oppo: Waverley C7 Corp
Score: 8-7
THEY ONLY WENT AND WON IT!!!
The final game of the season. All the pieces of the puzzle were there. And it all came together.
CommuniGator started with a strong statement of intent, with captain Sully nailing the opener before Josh Carter smashed 2 past the keeper in quick succession. A superb shot across the goal mouth from James Wilshere and the Gators has a dream start.
Sadly this early charge had clearly drained the batteries as Waverley hit back with three goals from open play and a harsh penalty.
Josh Carter had to wait until several minutes into the second half to seal his hat-trick, before a passage of furious end to end play saw the score rise to 7-6, thanks to Pete and JT from the Gators.
As tempers frayed and energy levels started to sag, the ball rolled to the feet of big Josh Carter, deep in his own half. With a monumental boot, suddenly the Waverley keeper was picking the ball out of the back of his net in a daze. Surely the goal of the century!
Once everyone’s jaws had been picked up off the floor, Waverley managed to push forward one last time and punish keeper Richard for his still-lacking fitness. However the damage was done, and CFC got their fairytale ending!
Well done to all the lads who turned out in Gator colours, and bring on next season!
Sully Arif (c)
Oliver Ashwell
Josh Campling
Josh Carter
Ricky D’Costa
Rew Hawkins
David Manning
Chris Morgan
Simon Moss
Rodrigo Vila Perea
James Tyler
Richard Wall
Pete Wilkes
James Wilshere
CommuniGator FC
13.09.18
Oppo: Ajax You Nicely
Score: 3-7
With last season’s 20-0 collapse to Ajax still sore, CommuniGator FC approached the season opener with some trepidation. However, the central core of the squad, based on captain Sully’s smart use of space, Josh Carter’s long range, and Pete’s magic touches, is firmly established.
The opening minutes were worryingly familiar, as Ajax slotted in two well-worked goals. However, a rapid counter from CFC put Sully though on the keeper to nail their first goal.
With nerves steadied, both teams worked hard, ending the half at 3-1 to Ajax.
Early in the second half, Josh Carter stepped up to bring CommuniGator to only 1 goal behind. Despite strong play and good positioning, CFC were unable to close the gap, and guest star Jamie’s late goal could only bring consolation as the game ended 7-3 against the Gators.
This was a much-improved performance from every member of the Gator team, and a huge improvement on the previous Ajax game. Bring on the rest of the season!
CommuniGator FC
20.09.18
Oppo: Figment Flames
Score: 3-7
With captain Sully called up to international duty, and the JC axis restored, consistency was the name of the game for Communigator FC on a windy day at Surrey Sports Park.
CommuniGator made a confident start, with Josh Campling beating several defenders on his own to score the opening goal.
With windy conditions making a long ball game almost impossible, Figment Flames played great counter-attacking football to build a 4-2 lead by halftime.
Stand-in captain Josh Carter scored from a free kick early in the second half, but a lack of discipline at the back meant that CFC shipped several more goals, ending the game 3-7 down.
CommuniGator FC
04.10.18
Oppo: Waverley C7 Corps
Score: 6-3
Looking slick in their new season kit, CommuniGator FC were pumped for this week’s game. Captain Sully passed a fitness test late in the day, and gaffer David returned to the squad to round out a strong team sheet.
The “new gear magic” got to work straight away, with Sully opening the scoring in the first few minutes, then racing to complete a hat-trick before halftime. Waverley managed to haul back 2 goals, despite wasting a penalty, to keep the game alive.
CFC were especially strong on the counterattack, with Josh Carter netting 2 for himself. The game was halted early as darkness descended, but the Gators were more than happy with the final score of 6-3.
CommuniGator FC
25.10.18
Oppo: Waverley C7 Corps
Score: 6-1
Strong performances all over the field seal the win.
With play and results getting better and better each week, confidence was high in the CommuniGator camp this week. The opening minutes of the game looked good, as a more disciplined structure allowed CFC to keep possession and get several early shots on target. However one moment of weakness saw Figment Flames open the scoring after a quick counter left the Gator defence scrambling to get back.
After this harsh lesson, CFC reacted well, with Captain Sully slotting in 2 goals either side of a searing shot from Pete which the Flames keeper got nowhere near.
To keep the game in balance, Sully decided to hand Figment Flames a penalty via an obvious hand-ball in the Gator area. Fortunately Richard, the actual keeper, managed to palm the shot over the crossbar, to leave the score at 3-1 going into half time.
After a positive halftime talk, CFC returned to the field and continued to play a structured game, leading to tight defence and plenty of shots on target, with Josh Carter getting his first goal of the night, and Sully adding two more.
The last quarter of the game saw Figment Flames pushing desperately to close the gap, but the Gators had the end in sight and played long clearances to keep them away from the goal and close the game with another win.
CommuniGator FC
29.11.18
Oppo: Waverley C7 Corps
Score: 4-3
Sully’s Testimonial Match
It seems only fitting that Sully’s final game as captain came against the old rivals, Waverley. In windy conditions, the game began at a high tempo, with both teams getting shots on target but the scoreboard staying 0-0 in the opening quarter.
It was Waverley who finally broke the drought, with a low, long-range strike buried in the far corner. From there the game opened up, with captain Sully bringing CFC level. A scrappy rest of the half left CommuniGator 3-1 down at halftime, with a lot of work to do.
Fortunately, everything fell into place in the second half, as new signing James smashed in his debut goal, Sully added a top bins effort, and Pete slotted home the winning goal to send Sully on his way with a well-earned victory.
CommuniGator FC
10.01.19
Oppo: Waverley C7 Corps
Score: 7-3
Communigator FC open 2019 with a goalfest away at Waverley.
After a New Year friendly to blow away the cobwebs, CFC kicked off their competitive year against old rivals Waverley C7 Corps. Despite the focus being on Christmas cake rather than cardio over the break, both teams started at a strong pace. Waverley opened the scoring from a smooth section of open play, before Josh Carter and James Rowley both found the net to leave the Gators 3-2 up at half time.
In the second half, James and Josh both sealed hat-tricks to push CFC into a commanding lead. As energy levels began to drop, Waverley mounted a late counter-attack and managed to nudge one more past keeper Richard to keep slim hopes of a comeback alive. After a goalmouth scramble by Pete Wilkes denied them a goal in the closing seconds, Communigator FC were able to close out the game and walk away with a win.
CommuniGator-Spotler Quiz Night
A Dutchman and an Englishman walk into a bar…
With a little over a year having passed since CommuniGator and Spotler became official, it was high time both teams got together to celebrate in style. What better way to bring everyone together than a massive pub quiz?
With all of Spotler’s 70-strong team coming over to join 50 Gators, we occupied nearly the whole of the March Hare in Guildford, set up 10 mixed teams and set our brains to work. Simon Moss reprised his role as Quizmaster Supreme, setting 10 rounds. With Sports, Literature and TV all represented, there was something for everyone.
The first multicultural challenge was choosing and spelling a team name. The field ranged from English classic Let’s Get Tipsy, to Dutch in-joke Snollebollekes.
Despite more than one team receiving penalties for breaking the strict “no phones” ruling, the contest was open-ended right through to the extra challenging Round 10. With 55 points available from just 10 questions, this was the round where fortunes could be won and lost.
The imaginatively-named Going Dutch topped the final scoreboard by a margin of just 4 points, with the wooden spoons going to Let’s Get Tipsy.
All in all a fantastic evening, now we just need a date to visit Zoetemeer for the return fixture!