Glades FC (Under 11's) Report from Darren Mansell (20th March 2008)

This has been a very interesting season to say the least.

When the two teams, both from under 10 age group were pulled together we had a good mix of players, one brand new team mixed with a well groomed and highly placed divisional team, so it was a bit of a surprise when Glades were placed in Division 4.

Going to 11 a side was a change for us all and we didn’t know how the boys would cope to the change. As we approached the start of season we saw a squad of 24 potential players drop to 15 in the space of a month, all going for there own reasons, even though all pre season friendlies had gone pretty well. It was true that we needed more players and the Saturday before signing day two more players were recruited making us 17 in total.

The season got under way, nobody knowing what to expect from the lads. A 4-0 win took us top of the league after day 1, but we were brought down with a bump in week 2 with a 4-1 loss. We exited both cups in two weeks, a real low point, plus we also had lost one player by this point, bring the squad to 16. Then a run of wins saw us lingering around the top and by the Christmas break we were on top of the league, but with that came the break and we started 2008 with two defeats in three weeks. It seemed the break had effected them more than we knew. It all came good when a three – one home victory against Crusaders – easily our best performance of the season really showing how good this team were and how well they had bonded as a team. They knew there positions, knew what there job was and how to do it. That was apparent when the make or break game of the season approached. The attitude of the players was second to none, they came to this fixture on a high, playing good football and spirits were very high. Unfortunately, even though they played their hosts off the park in a football sense, the result just didn’t fall right for us and we all knew that day that the league had gone.

Still showing real heart, we battled on winning the remaining games of the season. Our Campaign for this season has now ended and, even though we sit at the top of this division, we know only a miracle will give us the title. We all know that wont happen, and even though I would say, on the field, we are probably the best passing team in the division and most enjoyable to watch, there is a possibility we could finish as low as forth as other teams around us have games in hand. All we can do is check the results and see just what happens in the remaining weeks of the season.

I know that the Glades are a team full of heart and spirit and good things can come from this team. It has been an honour, and a privilege, to have been appointed manager of this team. I would like to give a massive "Thank You" to Ian who has trained the lads all season. We have had many a conversation about the Sunday fixture and looked at all aspects of what team we should put out for the relevant games. All the hard work has come from the boys, as they go out on the field and play the football, all we do is pick a starting eleven and see what they do when they are on the field. Needless to say that every Sunday they have performed – mainly in the second half for the majority of the season, that’s when Glades will play their football. The challenge for places has been strong all season, which has given both Ian and myself a headache, but it’s a nice problem to have.

I would also like to thank all the parents who have stood and watched and supported the lads all season, in all kinds of weather, both rain or shine, and an even bigger thank you to the parents who have run the line when called upon (you know who you are) and for those who haven’t you can redeem yourself next season.

This has to have a mention

Goal of the season

We have scored some very good goals, but in my view, both individual and a team effort. In 3rd Place, Adam’s goal against Sheldon at home, Kieran M ran down the right wing, crossed into the middle, where the waiting Adam’s first time lob was impossible for the keeper to react to.

In 2nd place comes Luke Smith’s solo goal v Building Futures, as an individual effort it was a goal to grace any match. He collected the ball and skipped past his man and went on a run, he beat the second man, got to the edge of the box where he started to get surrounded, his touch beat the third man, he looked up and saw his spot, touched the ball to the right of him avoiding a challenge before curling an exquisite shot into the keepers far left inside side netting.

But, In 1st place I would have to give it to Luke Ingram’s goal against Greenlands, as it was a flowing move, from which Luke S received the ball, ran into trouble, played it back to Micheal and ran towards goal, Michael saw this instantly and played the ball into the space that Luke was running into, Luke S then ran into the box, Squared it to Luke I who controlled it, turned and fired past their keeper, A very well worked goal. Remember they were just my opinions.

Season Highlights
Opening game win
Being top of the league
Improvement of every player in the team
Come from behind win against Redditch when it seemed all over.
Luke Ingram’s 4 goal haul against Greenlands
Not giving up from being 2-1 down v Redditch to score 3 goals in 7 minutes for a good win, showing that not giving up has it’s rewards.
Luke Smith’s last second winner against Wychall Wanderers
Luke Smith’s wonder goal against Building Futures
Steve Wightman’s “crazy” dance after Joe’s goal against Building Futures

Season Disappointments
First defeat of the season
Going out of both cups without a cup run
Losing in the rain
Bad start to 2008
The day we lost the league.

Every one should have a different memory of the season, one including their child for example, there would be too many to mention.All in all, being involved in this team is something that I for one, will remember for a long time to come, I hope that every body reading this who has been involved can feel the same, it’s just a shame the fairy tale didn’t happen.I feel very proud of the team and what they have done over this season and it’s a shame that it is all over, but we can get ready to look forward to next season, there is no reason why they cant perform as well as they did last season – only time will tell.

The only thing left to do is to have the end of season celebration where I’m sure you will all attend, I look forward to seeing you all there.Once again A BIG THANK YOU to everybody who has been involved this season, From Ian and Myself.