HERE WE GO AGAIN

its that time, training starts in a fortnight. The first league meeting has been held. We start planning now.

The first team have been promoted to the Senior League, congratulations to Terry but most of all to the players, great season last year, but a 3 division jump is going to be tough, you are going to need to be fit, the intensity of the City Plumbing cup match will be needed every week, its a venture into the unknown slightly but we know Ice Sports well, TC Club beat us in the cup semi's last season but the rest are new to us.

Big welcome to John and his reserve team, they kick off in Junior 5, some of our old opponents in there, CFC Hillyfields, AFC Riverside and Durley, a couple promoted from Division 6 and a trio of new clubs. Cant predict how they will do either as you can never tell the strength of teams around you until the season is underway, but i can say that if your fit enough to run for the full 90 minutes you will win most games.

So on to training, three coaches this season, H will be doing his bit as usual, he played for England at U15 level and was an apprentice at Brighton once upon a time, Terry has asked Hatch to bring some of his army training in to push your fitness levels, and finally Mark will be joining us, Mark had his professional career at Chesterfield cut short due to injuries, but he picked out some weaknesses in the 1st team last year in a game we won 7-1, could be interesting!!

See you all on the 28th, 10am Fleming Park, by the civic offices

Bob

COME ON YOU HARRIERS

So there it is. Another league title. And it feels better than the first time doesn't it.

I fully expected to win Junior 6 that first season, the only surprise to me was that Dolphin ran us so close, thats not underestimating them but more i didnt think we would be chased that close.

We then had two seasons finishing 3rd in Division 4, actually we done well both seasons, the first through having to change 7 players midway through the season, the second due to changing managers halfway through, but both seasons we were defensively sound and even now after 4 seasons have conceeded less than a goal per game, but struggled to score them at times which left us drawing games we should really have won.

Then we come to this season, a promotion to Junior 3, basically the same squad apart from a couple of new faces and a lot of hope. We hoped to be near the top but didnt dream it would go this well. Martin Brewer has come in and slotted effortlessly along side the Gaffer in centre midfield. Another all action player the pair generally win the midfield battle giving us the basis to go on and win.

Upfront young Jacob Quinton came in as a 17 year old in his first season of adult football. We knew he had great potential but as with all youngsters you are never 100% certain how they will handle the more 'robust' tackles that can come at this level. Well he has exceeded everything we could have asked for, his partnership with Sam Crawford has given us approaching 50 goals, they have held the ball up well, not given the defenders anytime on the ball, and given us an extra outlet when we have been under pressure.

The rest of the squad have just performed better this season, from Dave in goal who again has been outstanding, the 5 who have played along the back, Mike and Ade have been the business at full backs and two from three in the middle as Shane, Matt and Ben have all been strong. On the wings Donny and Mikey have tied the places down with a high level of performance plus goals, Liam has flitted between midfield and striker and done well where ever, and Chris and Luke have shown great patience waiting for their chance but showing potential when getting a game

So there it is, 14 games so far in the league have bought 14 wins and the Junior 3 title, the next challange? Win the next two and beat the 15 game winning streak from division 6.

The final word must be about the manager Terry Peach, congratulations mate, only 1 defeat in a season and a half!, i dont know what your doing but just keep it up and let the run continue fella and lets get another title next season