This is the first newsletter about the juniors be it good or bad ! Any info about our players of any interest is welcome; this is your club and it needs your say and input to make your child’s time with us constructive and most of all enjoyable, your questions will be answered as best possible in these newsletters and will remain anonymous if you wish.
We start with the under 9s who began their season with a very encouraging result in a local derby against Brooklyn who always start well at the early age but we always catch up eventually. The A & B teams lost, but only by a couple of goals; the B team has many boys who will stay in this age group next season so they will improve to be very competitive in 12 months time. Lee Mitchell has stepped forward to help Andy Hardey in the coaching but others are needed to make this team function smoothly. Training tops are being bought for both teams and a new kit for the A team by McKechnies of Pickering - many thanks to Graham Danby for his arm twisting!
The under 10's have started the season in great style while the A team was expected to, the B team was not, having lost all but one of their games last season and the credit surely lies with Tom Maxwell who has done his Level I & 2 FA Coaching Certificates. Earlier this month he attended a morning's coaching session at Sheffield Utd, which was run by manager Neil Wamock and his staff, who made us very welcome at their training headquarters. Watch out for Danny Webber who looked a class striker in the making.
In their first season of 11-a-side football, the under 11s have been a shade unlucky - they lost George Bentley to York City for a 6 week trial, his pace and finishing in front of goal has been York's gain and our loss, but it's a plus for us that he's got the chance to play at a higher standard. In their first home game it was discussed that the 1st team pitch was too big for them and so they now play the majority of their games at Lady Lumley's. Manager Phil White seems confident that a mid-table position is possible and with a good cup run it could be a good season for the boys.
Newly promoted under 12s have a new manager in Kevin Langthorne after losing Matty Allison to Scarborough. It was only natural that his dad Barrie would have to resign as manager; they had a great season last year but as some of the seasoned managers know promotion is hard to follow without new players just as new Premiership clubs find out! Again, if they finish mid-table it’s progression.
The under 13s is a special age group as for the first time ever we have 2 teams with the A team losing players to Leeds Utd, Bradford City and Scarborough. It shows that the boys who have moved up from B to A teams have done well as they are still in the 1st division. It obviously frustrates B team manager Pete Christopherson whose team has got weaker but this club is not about being the best, it’s about giving boys and girls the opportunity to play the national game and to enjoy their time with us!
Once again the under 14s will struggle this season but they are a close knit set of players and parents and always enjoy their Sunday afternoons - there are a couple of boys who in time may progress to our under 19s team, so that is encouraging. The boys have a new kit sponsor: Thomas the Baker's of HelmsIey, manager and committee member Chris Chapman raising the dough for the kit!
John Bowling took over the under 15s about a year ago, although unable to keep the team in the 1st division after losing its better players he's kept the team together and its prodigal sons have now returned and with a bit of luck the team could return to the 1st division this season. John secured a new sponsor for the home kit in Aqua Marine Ltd and Newitts Sports Equipment for an away kit.
Our under 16's have been strengthened in the goalkeeping position with Daniel Jeminson from Kirkbyrnoorside. Coach Matty Hood feels that he could break into our under l9s; the sooner our goalkeeping coach Rob Campbell recovers from a cruicate ligament injury the better. Luke Tateson, also from Kirkby, has made the vacant strikers spot his own and again a big improvement on last season; Luke is more of a team player than last season's number 9 - he too could progress to the under 19s. The team, relegated last season, are at present well placed, winning 6 out of 8. Matty also went to Sheffield Utd and recognised some of the coaching drills from his time with former Pikes coach, Richard Rose who is to return from the USA shortly.
The girls section has been slightly affected by lack of numbers; we have had to abandon the under 12s, although Hannah Pickup is coaching a handful of girls. Hopefully we can arrange some fixtures shortly - we still need some more players, anyone you know who might be interested ring Hannah on 01751 477550. The under l4s coach Sara Bogg has left due to work commitments and after a struggle lan Blanchard has stepped in at the 11th hour to take charge - I am sure all the parents will rally around him to help in anyway they can. A strong under 17s squad hopefully will provide the girls with some silverware this season - they are unbeaten at present. Chris Freer in his third season with the club has taken his FA Level I coaching certificate. I hope this indicates he will be with us for a few more seasons! Would all the girls who have a green Jinnah football shirt please bring it back ASAP - if you know someone who has left the club and still has one, please collect it and pass it on to your manager!
Quite a few of our coaches have taken their FA Level 1 coaching certificate, a requirement of the club, and hopefully those who missed out during the summer will be able to take theirs in the new year. The extra coaching evening on Mondays has started well, however the Thursday nights for the girls section has had to stop due to insufficient numbers. If girls wish to attend the Monday sessions, they are welcome. please ring me for further information.
Our trip to Sunderland was a success and was probably the only entertaining game there’s been this season – quite possibly we may be invited back around March.
Chris Parker organised a race night on November 12th, a free raffle and grub was on offer, so it was a bit of a shock that it attracted a small band of support. If you were not informed about it, your manager had leaflets about the evening – 99% of you have paid your child’s subscription – the next instalment is due in February, if there is a problem, contact me.
Situations Vacant: We need a representative from the girls section on our junior committee – if you are interested, please ring me. Our committee is only three strong; we are in need of volunteers to help run this club – if the same people keep having to do everything, they may, in time, decide to call it a day. It is not a healthy situation for the club to be run by just a handful. Some help is needed for once a year jobs – a pyramid system can be effective and more hands do make light work. If you decide that you cannot help after you may have volunteered, at least you have shown an interest – your help is needed urgently.
We are in need of referees – if you fancy taking a course, we can arrange it, especially the Under 15s / 16s players – let’s not forget the Premiership refs are earning almost a grand a week!!!
Our fundraising manager, Chris Parker,has put together a calendar for 2006 – all junior teams are in it and it is on sale fir the meagre price of £3. HP Print have produced it and the Derwent Buyers Group have kindly sponsored it – there is a link to their website at the bottom of this page.
You should have had your membership cards before Christmas – these have been very late in printing but once again this is down to too few doing too much and this is the kind of thing you can help out with.
Our pitch at Flamingoland should be ready to play on with the 6 yard boxes resurfaced.
Finally, Under 16s coach, Matty Hood, who was involved in a car accident in October, hopes to resume on Monday and Tuesday evenings’ coaching in the new year after suffering a broken vertebra – he will be unable to play for at least 12 months.
Once again this is your website - why don't you use it? - the guest book only has 6 messages in it!!
Ring Barry on 01653 697724 to reply to any of the above.
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