I thought it best to let you all know sooner rather than later that I have decided to ‘retire’ early from DTFC for many reasons but the biggie is no more complicated then i want to be able to watch both my boys play football.

I will handover to Nathan and our support team at the end of the DTFC 5 aside Tournament. This will give Nathan & his team plenty of time to prepare for next season, when the Black & Whites become one team playing 11 aside in the Norfolk Combination. It was always our intention (part of our original blue print) that Nath would become the head coach at 11 aside ... with me Managing ... that said i/we didn't envisage either such a large Management Team in place or the time that would be spent on DTFCU8,U9 & U10, i am confident that our squad is in excellent hands!

I would like one more crack at the DTFC - it would be much nicer to walk away from a game of football than following a meeting. I am proud of what we have achieved but especially the fact that we have kept the 2 teams together for 3 seasons which is not an easy feat!

Nathan and his assistants will have to decide on their strategy for next year, our cuts if any will be fewer than in previous years as we have played 4 Under Nines … whom we shall all miss - but who will leave with our best wishes as they embark on another Under10 journey.  

Our Team is in very good shape, with a fully kitted out squad, managed by a 1^st class group of coaches, with an excellent bunch of players, supported by some wonderful parents and money in the bank! We have always been an inclusive team; we have 2 Managers supported by two coaches (each) with a superb backup team!

That said; I look forward to becoming a touchline Dad again; being able to watch both my boys play … it’s the best job in Youth Football - but will often look back over the last 3 years …

It’s been a journey starting with some 20 6&7 year olds running across the Rugby Ground towards Nathan and I with me (at least) thinking what have I done? Some of the faces have changed but many of those 1^st 20 remain. It’s been (mostly) a joy watching your kids grow both as kids and as footballers … I always hoped that it would be more than just football - that it would be a life lesson too – I think we succeeded our attitude on the pitch is exemplary and our enjoyment of good football is bested by no other team.

Mini Football is about friendships, trust, support, team work & enjoyment as much as it is football.

Our Coaches have that same attitude, only last Sunday I walked past a Coach shouting at (not too) his kids … our Refs (Hef, Simon, Kevin & Tony) understand that mini soccer needs a firm hand (yes) but gently applied and with a smile. Our Parents share it … I know of no others who are better at supporting our guests!

I would; in closing want to say 2 things, firstly a thank you to Nath, Kevin, Sean, Dave, Diane, Gary, Hef, Caroline, Simon, Jon & Tony for their help big & small on and off the pitch, to the Parents for trusting me with their ‘kids’ and to the players … it has been a joy and I will miss you (big time) and secondly to wish you every happiness over the coming years!

Gary C

PS If I have 4gotten anybody or indeed anything please shout!

PS I should thank Janie who has put up with our football dominated house with mostly a smile ...

a quick thank you to all of those who have emailed or called me regarding the above; your thoughts are much appreciated, a couple of them even made me think again ...

you know how proud i am off your kids

I think it would be nice to leave this site to gather dust so that our kids can show their kids in years to come; i would be happy to show whoever takes the job on how to set up a new site ... its a 1/2 hour job!