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Press
Press releases from Super League
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Div 4B - A Captain's farewell
Whether expected or not, relegation is never an easy pill to swallow. Often a team looking to maximise youngsters' playing time will fall afoul of poor results and suffer this fate.
Manager CM has assured fans time and time again that their third relegation in a row is 'all part of the larger plan' of developing their youthful side into a competitive outfit; a group of players to rival the side that won back to back to back promotions, making it all the way to Div 1A. Whilst fans are quietly optimistic, there is undoubtedly great sadness around the club as the embers of that once great team start to fade. Cristian Nilton and Tito Possanzini - two of those who played in 1A, were sold last season to make room for youngsters. The club's all-time top scorer spends most days sitting on the bench. Stephane Pocognoli, only a teenager when the team hit their heights, is now considered a senior presence among the players.
All of these woes pale in comparison to the reality that as of the end of the season, Gunnar Elvinsson - Revolution's captain and 2nd highest capped player of all time - is retiring.
Many fans have put forth the argument that Gunnar is the greatest player ever to lace up his boots for The Revolution, which is no small feat considering he developed as a player between the greatest duo of defenders, Stewart Harrington and Shane Trought (who sits above him as number 1 on all time appearances). Not only does he have the highest Best Match rating of any player, he has also featured in the most Xpert Elevens, 56 in total, whereas 2nd place Oskar Mustajarvi managed only 36. This is even more impressive when you consider that Elvinsson only really blossomed whilst Bucks were competing in the higher divisions, against the best players.
It is likely his 2nd place in the all-time appearances list will be usurped by another club legend, Sture Angelin, next season, but the impact the Centre-Back had in his time at Eden Stadium is immeasurable. He received rapturous applause as he walked around the ground before and after the home defeat this week, not picked to make room for developing youth talent.
As the side look towards the future, it will be up to one of the younger generation to take up the mantle of club captain and guide the team back up through the divisions. One thing is for sure, they will draw great inspiration from Elvinsson.
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