Lower Beeding Junior Football Club

Newsletter May 2007

Volume 1, Issue 11

After a lengthy recent committee meeting it was agreed that Lower Beeding Lions has improved greatly as a club.

With the encouragement and support of the existing committee, coaches and parents, plus enthusiastic new arrivals, the club is becoming more united, rather than separate entities. To emphasise this, the coaches have submitted their 2006/7 reports for you to read. This will give you an idea of how their teams have all fared over the past season. Next season we hope to include match reports for all age groups on the Lions web site and a possible photo gallery. Any other suggestions or ideas are always welcome!

  A particular mention must go to Barry Nash, the U16's coach, who has tirelessly coached the lads, many from when they began as U7's.

They enjoyed a great season and it was unfortunate that they did not reach top of the league, as it was a close run thing.

Thank you very much Barry for all your hard work, commitment and support that you have given to the club and we look forward to your continuing coaching help next season with the U 11's.

LADIES FOOTBALL

Are there any Mum's out there that fancy having a go at football? A group of us are trying to restart ladies football training sessions, but we are in need of some more players. It is a great way to improve your fitness and its good fun too!

Please contact Bohdana Morey for more details: bohdana.morey@gmail.com

ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

PLEASE will everyone that is intending to go the awards ceremony on June 9 th please e-mail or tel Andy Eggleden now

to reserve your tickets in order that we have an idea of numbers to cater for andye@foodtime.co.uk Tel: 01403 864171

2006/7

SEASON REPORT

U7's

Coach – Craig Robinson

The 2006, 2007 season has been a very steep learning curve for players, parents and the coach! The playing conditions have been atrocious at times.

No goal posts, very long grass and mud that was more akin to the Western Front than Lower Beeding . Despite this we have grown to a 20 man squad.

Initially we worked on basic skills and understanding the 11 a side game. This made players more aware of what to look for when watching the professionals on television.

Then we worked on a 7 a side formation designed to stop the other team scoring. This was put to the test when we played Three Bridges away on two occasions, we drew both games a great achievement against a team with league experience.

Our next challenge was to play a 6 a side tournament. We fielded an A + B team. We struggled to adapt to the 6 aside format. The A team playing

5 winning 2, drawing 1 losing 2. The B team winning 1 losing 4.

The experience was invaluable. Some players rising to the big occasion others losing self confidence.

I was shocked at the highly competitive nature of the tournament. Other teams fielding players who were not U7 but in fact U 9!

a fact that I was able to establish in the bar afterwards.

The real heroes that day were the B team players who showed great drive and tenacity and never gave up.

Whilst writing this report I was tempted to mention certain players but soon realised that it would be necessary to mention every individual as everyone has played their part.

On the 2nd June we play another tournament. We are going to try a far more attacking formation. We have practiced a longer ball strategy. Will it work? Please ask me on the 3rd June!!!.

As we prepare for the league next year the joys coaching 20 players is becoming more apparent. Do we train at 6 pm or 6.30, should it be K2 or Broadbridge Heath, should it be Wed or Monday. Clearly it is impossible it suit everyone.

I would be very sorry to lose any players as I believe:

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

THE FUTURE IS THE LOWER BEEDING LIONS U8S!

SEASON REPORT

U9'S

Coach - Paul Daymond

After a shaky start to the season we managed to pick up a few new signings to bolster the squad. After four defeats on the trot, we picked up a surprise win against Hurspierpoint Colts, which was quickly followed by a win against Royal United.

Confidence rose, but again we hit a bad run up to Christmas and the weather didn't help.

Lost 7 won 2 which wasn't good and thought we would be relegated.

Full of Christmas spirit we travelled to East Grinstead Rhinos, which saw us, battered 4-0. However there were a lot of encouraging signs and Rhinos had beaten others by double figures.

Then it clicked, we had been working hard on passing moves and a tight diamond formation which saw us take three 1-0 victories on the spin, followed by a 3-1 against Royal United.

Next it was the big boys, Southwater, who had been running away with it. We took the lead, we had crown trouble, coach trouble (all from Southwater I might add) goal mouth scrabbles, for it to all end in a 1-1 draw.

Southwater went home with their tails between their legs!

A tremendous result!

This shows just how much the lads have improved.

So 2006/7 was a season of two halves.

Lost 7 won 2 in 2006, Lost 1 drew 2 and won 4 for 2007.

That should see us stay up!

2006/7

U10'S

Coach – Clive Pyzer

The Under 10's had a mixed season.

Our league results started well but tailed off just after Christmas, as a number of injuries took their toll.

When playing some of the stronger teams we tended to up our game but unfortunately positive results were still hard to come by.

The highlight of the season was winning the League Sportsmanship Award for the second year running. The award is for the team that shows the most sportsmanlike conduct throughout the season and is voted for by the coaches of the opposition teams. The award is for the whole of the league and covers all divisions, which means that we came top out of thirty teams.

The season finished with some 11-a-side matches to get the boys used to playing on a full size pitch. The boys found it a little alien at first but soon got used to it.

2006/7 SEASON REPORT

U11's Coach – Phil Keen

This has turned out to be the best season in terms of performances for this fine squad of players. Our move up to the 11 a-side format was in jeopardy before the season due to a shortage of players but two summer signings in Samuel Hayter and Adam Bellchambers helped to strengthen the squad. Moreover their Dads, Mark and Ron, quickly volunteered to run mid week training which has proved invaluable in building stamina and strength for the 11 a-side game and translated to victories on the pitch when we showed resilience throughout and managed several times to get back into games that we were losing.

Our season got off to a flying start with 8 wins and a draw, including a surprise cup victory knocking out a team from a higher division in one of our finest performances. We had never experienced a winning streak like it and our confidence was high. We then suffered a dip in form during the bad weather period when we went weeks without being able to play on a grass pitch. We eventually got back to winning ways in the league coming from behind again to beat Northchapel away, who went on to win the league. This performance summed up the team spirit of never giving up and playing for each other. We ended up as runners up in Division D (6 wins, one draw and 3 defeats) and had it not been for the mid season dip we could have easily won the division. We also had a good cup run eventually losing out in the Quarterfinal stage to Albury Eagles who went on to reach the final. It would be wrong to single out any players for special mention as this year's achievements are down to the squad and playing as a team.

The players have been a credit to the club, not just from their performances but also for their exemplary behaviours and sportsmanship. This was backed up by our parents who this season as in previous seasons have cheered and encouraged our team on in all weathers and regardless of the results. They have been like a twelve player and at last they have had a season to cheer about.

We could still do with extra 2 to 3 players to join the squad to boost our numbers so please keep your eyes out for players for next season's Under 12's. I'm already looking forward to the next season!

League Results

2006/7 SEASON REPORT

U 14's Coach - Roy Wicking

It has been a difficult season for the U14s, when our safety in the “B” Division was only guaranteed following the very last game of the season involving Greenway and Reigate Priory.

We started slowly and found it difficult to pick up the pace after a number of early defeats against the league pace setters. We were also not helped by a number of injuries and the inability to use certain players for reasons beyond our control.

At Christmas we signed several new players and our form improved somewhat following the Christmas break commencing with a great win against Chiddingfold, despite not having a goalkeeper for the last 10 minutes of the match. We followed this up with several good wins and looked safe going into the final fixtures of the season.

Needless to say it did not turn out quite like that and Greenway, who had previously looked doomed with 4 matches to go, suddenly went on a winning run beating all in their path. With one game to go Steyning strikers were guaranteed to be below us but Greenway were in a position to catch us on points if they won their last match.

Fortunately we need not have worried as Reigate won convincingly in that match keeping us in the “B” Division.

In all honesty with the players that we have we should never be anywhere near the foot of the table, our only problem seems to be the boys lack of belief in their own ability. I am confident that 2007-2008 will be much improved and I have already set them the target of getting us promoted to enable one last season in the top league before we break up.

2006/7 SEASON REPORT

U16's - Coach – Barry Nash

A great season from all the boys!

From the goal keeper to the strikers, they all made a great contribution.

We finished a RESPECTABLE 5th in the table, out off 12 teams, with only 6 points between us and 2nd place! So not bad at all.

It was unfortunate that we lost a few of games.

This was mainly due to injuries and other commitments and the long break we had due to bad weather over Christmas. 

I had a conversation with the coach that won the league saying we were the hardest team they had to play when we were beating 5-2

So WELL DONE to all the boys!