THE WHITES END OF SEASON REVIEW
As i write this we await the final between DTFC and Wymondham Lizards on May 6th ... it should be a cracking game if previous games are anything to go by, with one high scoring victory each this Season much like last year - these games have never been dull!
With 4 games played in the last 2 Seasons; each winning 2 with a combined score of 16-16!
I thought of leaving this until after May 6th ... but wanted to conclude the League Season now.
It's been a long hard season; we have played 28 games ... playing some without 'subs' a couple with 2 goal keepers on the pitch, it is to your credit that we have tried to play the games on the due date, without key players ... i recall 2 of our last few games when we played having had 3 and 4 of the starters drop out with bugs during the previous 48 hours but keen to play and contest!
Our squad is huge compared to many, we have always tried to include everyone at different points during the Season not chasing the goal fests as we did last year.
The Whites have had another good year; we finished 5th (3rd 05/06) and have made the final again hoping for just 1 more win this year! Beating the team in 4th twice, the team in 3rd once, the team in 2nd once and pushing the very good Bulldogs in the 2nd game ... everything considered it has been a very good year 4 the Whites!
I would thank
The League and it's hard working team for making it possible! with a special mention to Neil for the website.
Gary B who has been quite superb all year; its been a pleasure working with you espec this second 1/2 when we have in effect become Co Managers; your support has been invaluable, espec with our defense who have been excellent all Season.
Hef (the Ref) and fitness coach; as ever it's been fun having you on board, you are without a doubt one of the best ref's i have seen in Mini Soccer, you apply the calls fairly and with a gentle hand, i wish that was so on every pitch in every game.
Nathan; quite simply i wouldn't have wanted to do this without you. you have done a superb job with the Blacks this Season and i know our combined Squad is in excellent hands next year!
Our Supporters; are simply 1st class, i know of no others better at supporting both teams, ours and our guests, than you encouraging fair play and showing appreciation when deserved, thank you for trusting me with your 'kids'. To all those that have helped with the many tasks a big thank you, with a special mention to Diane (Our Book Keeper) to Caroline and Dave for their help with the Match Reports and to all those Mums who helped with our various parties. As a manager just seeing the goals coming down is great, so thanks to all of you for helping!
We have played some excellent games, far to many to mention, but the ones that stick in the mind include Brandon; grinding out a 1-0 win against a very good team, pushing the Bulldogs all the way the 2nd time around (Rob deserves credit for the class displayed by his team on the pitch in an undefeated season) with the team playing their best football at the Seasons end beating 2 very good sides in Dragons & Serpents.
Congratulations to both Bulldogs and the runners up Serpents and of course Watton for making the League Final!
Our squad as said is huge ... as i get closer to saying goodbye i thought i should say a few words
Kane; quite simply one of the best shot stoppers in the league always brave and with a happy face ... as a Coach i feel safe knowing that if the other team can find its way past the other 6 they still have to beat our Kanie
Liam; another new addition this year; stepping in when Kane was injured, proving to be so good they have shared the role for much of the season, another excellent keeper with much potential
Tommy; one of our quite superb defenders, brave, strong & determined ... his football has improved hugely this year, i can still picture that penalty at Wymondham taking the training ground to the pitch - always up for it, i expect him to have an excellent season next year!
Jack; this year has moved his game up several notches, assured & polished at the back always secure on a counter working well with the forwards with a 'thunder bolt' right foot! Described by one coach as a young 'Bobby Moore' i can't pay him a higher compliment!
Tom; has played in defense and attack; the scorer of some very nice goals with a tough slide thrown in; always (mostly) happy & patient awaiting his turn on the pitch
Gareth: our 'joker' who plays as he talks ... always busy always working playing in defense & mid field, a tough hard tackling footballer who comes away with balls that he has no right too with some lovely runs down the left, another who should have a cracking season next year!
Emily; a new addition to the Whites who has fitted in so well it feels like she has been with us since the start, an excellent footballer who brings the best out of the team' i am delighted that she can play for us next year.
Phil; superb 1st touch, clinical left foot who can score any where any time, playing as an U9 which surprises those that don't know, a hard working team player who has this season become our 1st line of defense, another excellent footballer. I wouldn't want to be a 10 year old defender facing Philli on the charge. The 1st to break 50 goals in the season!
Todd; another of our U9's; a joy to watch unless you are a defender facing him, this year he has improved hugely, a candidate (even) for most improved with his work ethic and passing now as good as his quite sublime individual skills, one moment working with Phil and Lewis at the sharp end then helping out at the other end - he has the best 'engine' i have seen in mini soccer!
Lewis; another of our U9's who has played in just about every game for 2 years, one of the hardest working players on the pitch, always up for it always looking to score with a cracking right foot with surging runs down either flank, would play in goal if that was the only way to get back on the pitch!
Mateo; yet another U9, this is a young squad, a brave talented full back with a sweet shot, it was a shame that the injury kept him out for much of the 2nd 1/2 of the season, an excellent footballer with a great attitude!
Nikos; another one of our multi talented squad who can play in defense or attack with a sweet left foot; like the rest of his team mates always wanting to be involved, his game has improved this year and i think he should have a very good season next year
Daniel; a talented forward with a nice touch who i believe has huge potential, Daniel has always trained hard winning several starts with the Whites - keep it going Daniel you have the potential to make it into the Squad.
Dominic; joined us mid season from the Blacks; always training hard and with a big smile, had i not have called the Squads so early he would have had more pitch time. Keep working at your game looking to get into the squad next year.
Sam; another recent addition to our squad; who has had a couple of call ups; another good defender with well timed tackles, always training hard - keep training hard Sam keep working at your game trying to be the best that you can be!
We have also played Daniel, Ant, Matti & Nick who have always given 100% to the team and when called on have made a huge positive difference to our Squad.
Daniel; a tough tackling hard working mid fielder with a few goals, a cracking player who should have an excellent year next year
Ant; another excellent goal keeper, always up for it always wanting to win ... confident that he will have a superb season next year!
Tricky; another awesome polished defender - we are lucky to have such a superb back 4 for next year
Matti; another accomplished footballer, always working for his team, can play just about anywhere on the pitch will like all of the above have a great year next year
I have high hopes for next season when our 2 squads merge! Between the 2 teams we have some quite excellent players.
On that point, i am delighted that we have proved that 2 teams can train together, play together, party together and stay together!
It's hard at times as this is a competitive game and we have 2 teams, the players & the supporters, that want to win - even if its a training game; its a good job we play in different leagues! But for 3 years we have, together, raised sponsorship, shared a website, trained and competed sharing players when needed ... we have done a pretty good job!
I hope that we can demonstrate that at the DTFC 5 a side supporting each of our 3 teams together!
I have said it b4 to other Coaches going through a 'hard' time ... 'you have to do what we do to know what we do' I am amazed at some of the stories you hear about other teams ... its not that i think we are perfect, we're not ... you can't throw together 25 familes without some grief ... at times running 2 teams with 25 players can be hard work - i can see why other same age group teams take the other option.
The League is now finished but we have a busy month ahead with the Final on May 6th, the Club Awards on May 20th, the SNYFL Awards on May 26th and the DTFC 5's on May 27th.
In closing; it's been a roller coaster with some wonderful 'highs' & memories that will last for many years to come, i look forward to watching you play the game that we love next year but as a 'touchline Dad'
PS: Thanks to Janie too - sure she won't mind being last!
PS: I hesitated before including a negative ... but i have watched a lot of youth football this year U9, U10 & U11 in the South Norfolk and the Norwich Combination and hope that we can 'give our kids back their soccer' without the need for such a campaign that is gaining huge support as we speak.
The campaign to remove adults from kids soccer is gaining huge support within the game.
I think this year more than last has seen a few parents forgetting that the game they are watching is being played by 'kids' and a few ref's forgetting the same ... kids know when calls are just plain wrong!
If i have one hope it is that everyone involved from Managers, Refs & Parents remember it's a game played by kids ... i didn't get involved to win at all costs i wanted to work with kids who wanted to play the game that we all love!
Thanks for the last 3 years!
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