End of Season Report

Hello Everyone,

Well, the season has had more up's and down's (I know what your thinking) than a backbencher
in the House of Commons at question time (Ha! that fooled you).

Seriously, it's been a pleasure and an honour to be involved with such a great bunch of kids in this, our first season. Steve and I set out some key areas at the start of the season, to which we have worked on rigidly. The guy's have conformed in every aspect and generally taken on board what we have been trying to get across to them. Not just focusing on the football side of things but focusing on ethical topics such as respect, teamwork, encouragement, friendship, education and hopefully enjoyment, which will help them acquire the necessary skills for adult life.

I am certainly looking forward to next season were I am sure things will just 'click' into place and we will start to see the benefits of all the hard work everyone has put in.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Steve for his commitment and football knowledge that he has brought to the team this season, and long may it continue.


"Ability is what you are capable of, Motivation is when you do it, and Attitude is how well you do it" (I am turning into Eric Cantona, without the seagulls)


Mark

Annual Awards Presentation

Hello Everyone,

Many thanks to all who attended the Presentation night it was very much appreciated, especially by the 'Lads'. Congratulations to all the players, who have been outstanding throughout the season and, a big well done to the guys who took the individual awards. They are:-

Clubman 2009 - Dylan
Managers Player 2009 - Charlie
Players Player 2009 - Gethin

They have set a great example for everybody to work towards for next year.
More than what can be said of the Managers speech which was said to resemble his legs, yes 'Short and Colourless'..


I will leave you with this thought:-

"A good player plays were the ball is, a great player plays were the ball is going to be"

See you at training
Mark...

Chester Tournament (23-5-09)

Hello Everyone,

A much better week, yes the 'Gazebo' made a comeback (Well we did buy a new one) and so did the team. Although we didn't progress past the group stages the guys showed much more of a desire to win. Except for the first game against a good side from Mossley Hill (Liverpool) we were very unlucky to be defeated by the solitary goal. We are definitely due a large serving of good old 'lady luck'. Next up is the Colwyn Bay Tournament on the 6th June but, before that it is the all important annual awards Presentation evening on 26th May at 18:00hrs, hope you can all make it.

See you there
Mark.

P.S. I thought I would put this excellent Poem, that was included in today's programme, on our Website for future reference. It touches on a subject which I believe we are all guilty of from time to time, including myself.

Let The Children Play

They stand alone on the field with their heart beating fast,
The whistle has blown, the die has been cast,
Mum and Dad cannot help, they stand all alone,
A goal at this moment would send the team home.

The ball at their feet, they kick and it misses,
There's a moan from the crowd,
Some boos and some hisses,
A thoughtless voice cries "Take off the bum"
Tears fill the eyes, its no longer fun.

If ever your tempted to shout or to groan,
remember it's a child who stands all alone.

So open your heart, give them a break,
It's moments like this that you make.
Keep this in mind, please do not forget,
They're only CHILDREN, not adults yet.

Holywell Tournament in Pictures

I managed to take a few pictures of the lads in "action". As always its difficult taking good close-ups of the play without a much bigger lens, so the action shots are a bit hit and miss but I seem to be getting better, as the ball makes an appearance or two in these pictures!

The team photo turned out quite well, and as before if anyone wants a good quality printed copy then let me know.

2009 Holywell Tournament FAB Squad

The Squad bursting with eagerness to get on the pitch!

Not fair Ref! He's got that glued to his head!

Normally I manage to take pictures without the ball in them,
but I surpassed myself with this one and missed all of our players out too!

Is this half-time or a new defensive formation?

Slasher takes care of his latest victim!

Michael storms through but hits the post... closest we came to a goal all day.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
No its the ball in one of my pictures!

Charlie makes a rocket-like leap into the air to defend a corner!

Left leg in, left leg out... Gethin masters the Hokey-cokey.

In a desperate attempt to keep the ball out Mark turns to cloning
to sneak two number 10's on at the same time!

Singing in the rain!

Holywell Tournament (16-5-09)

Hello Everyone,

An absolute disaster of a day, yes the gazebo blew over in a gust of wind. It buckled and creased beyond repair, and sadly had to be recycled to better use.
The same can be said of the team, only the gust of wind came in the form of Deeside Phoenix.
The lads buckled after the first game and also failed to recover, only this time we will be recycled into a better team.

We tried to 'spice' things up a little but the gamble didn't pay off so, it will be back to the drawing board at training and on to our next tournament at Chester racecourse next Saturday where I'm sure we can improve on today's performance.

Congratulations to Flint & Bagillt Colts who made the final and were unlucky not to take the honours with a penalty shootout deciding the outcome.

Also, our thoughts and best wishes go to Ben of Deeside Phoenix who unfortunately broke his arm. We wish him a speedy recovery.
And many thanks to Deb for putting her first aid skills to the test.

Mark..

Flint Tournament Picture

A number of us took camera's to this years Flint tournament, but ti seems we were too enthralled by the games to remember to use them. Thanks though to Debbie for getting this shot of the squad before the games.



I'm not sure what steve thinks is funny about Ethans hair... perhaps it's bringing back memories?

As with all the pictures on the website, click on the image for a bigger view. If anyone wants a printed copy then let me know as I have the original high quality image.

That same old......

Not quite, but I know the feeling

Flint Tournament

Hello Everyone,

The summer tournament programme 'Kicked' off (No pun intended) with our very own club tournament at Flint Town United Football ground. Firstly, many thanks to Roger and Keith who done a sterling job of the organisation.

We found ourselves in unfamiliar territory with a full squad to choose from. The standard was high, with teams participating from both sides of the border(some of them forgot their passports)
As for the games themselves, I felt we were unlucky not to progress to the quarterfinal stage with two consecutive 1-0 defeats causing the damage. Again we just couldn't turn the possession into goals. Still, we ended on yet another high point with a fine performance and consequently, a win.

The final was contested between Hoylake and Deeside, with Hoylake taking the honours. Congratulations to Gordon and his team.

The next tournament is at Carmel School on Saturday 16th kick off 10:00 and not Sunday 17th as first thought. Sorry !! my mistake.

P.S. The 'Midges' must of heard about the tournament, they were queuing up on the marsh rubbing their hands at such a fine collection of victims (sod the burgers) to munch on.

See you at training
Mark.

Match Report (Sunday 3-5-09)

Hello Everyone,

For different reasons than the last match, I am also unsure on were to start on this one.
The guys were well switched on to the last league matches of the season, with commanding performances all over, on probably what was ideal conditions for a Football game. (It must of been sunny, Steve brought his shorts out)
The most pleasing factor is that we managed a 2-2 draw against a very good Deeside team who 'turned' us over at our previous game at the Richard Gwyn, which left us rather subdued. (That was just Steve and I). So, the guys did what we asked of them and ended the season on a high point. Well done and a fantastic effort from all of you!!

There was also a couple of other high and low points at the weekend for the Management, yes Steve was well pleased that 'Forest' managed to maintain their present status in the Championship, of course the low point was that Tranmere failed to get into the play off's by two minutes. Oh well, even at Professional level it's a strange game.

So, it's on to our programme of Summer Tournaments and hopefully we can continue with the same commitment, which won't be an easy task with the small squad we have. Something which Steve and I will be trying to rectify throughout the Summer.

Thanks to everyone for your support and commitment throughout our first season.
Mark...