The time and effort that goes into making playing for the club so special for the children, huge amounts of care and attention are put into ensuring that every child is made to feel part of the club.
Last season at U8’s the whole team put in a fantastic performance away at a team that we had lost too every time we had played them. To see the whole team working together and playing some very good football against an opponent we’d struggled against in the past was fantastic and showed how far the children had come.
My Son Ollie’s first goal away at New Road at U7, obviously I was incredibly proud of him but it was also a huge indication of how the team as a whole was progressing. He didn’t start playing until U7’s started but to see how far he’d come in such a short space of time was incredible. The ethos of the club has a lot to do with that progression, as quite an anxious child he could quite easily have been put off after his first session before I was even approached about being a manager but every single person involved with the club was fantastic with him and he’s now flourishing thanks to the clubs support.
Training on a Saturday morning, getting to help the team develop their skills and also the social aspect as well, I’ve made some really good friends through the football club and its great to see everyone every week.
It was something I’d always hoped to be involved in if my children had got into football, I used to manage a Men’s team but I much prefer coaching at youth level as you really feel like you’re helping the players develop.
I’m really looking forward to a proper knock out cup competition now we are at U9’s, the cup competitions at U7-8 are good but with the league format it loses something. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the team take on a more competitive game.
My Dad Roger, he’s the reason I love football so much and a big influence on how I think football should be played. I’ll forever be grateful for the hours he used to spend playing football with me as a kid and all the experiences he’s given me following Palace over the years.
Developing the boys footballing brains and getting them comfortable playing at 7 a side, its a big adjustment from 5 a side where positioning and roles on the pitch are starting to become more important. Hopefully we can climb up a couple of divisions as well.
Developing the boys footballing brains and getting them comfortable playing at 7 a side, its a big adjustment from 5 a side where positioning and roles on the pitch are starting to become more important. Hopefully we can climb up a couple of divisions as well.