Metheringham (Juniors) Football Club

Once again the Juniors had an eventful and very mixed season. Two new teams emerged at Under 8 and Under 9, both acquitting themselves very well, especially John Haresign’s Under 8’s who finished fifth in their league (and how great it was to see John back in the fold running one our a junior sides). The Under 9’s won few games finishing ninth but they had the club’s most qualified coach looking after them in Matt Petch as he achieved his level 2 Coaching Badge during the season. Without doubt Matt is the youngest person to manage a side in the Club’s history as he is only 18.

Our Under 10’s had two sides in preparation to the move into full sided football next season and both did very well under the watchful eyes of Nige Beck, Mark Burrell and Gary Bleasdale as they finished third and fourth in their respective leagues.

In their first season at eleven a side the Under 11’s had a great season winning their League and scoring 206 goals in the process, more than any other side in the entire Mid Lincs Youth League. Each season throws up a new superstar goalscorer and this season was no except as Ridwan Sadi, new to the village, fitted the bill. He scored an amazing 107 goals in his first season in competitive football, hitting 100 in just 20 games and netting 28 hat-tricks. The success of the Under 11’s saw their management team of Roy Rogers and Barry Houlden walk off with the Manager of the Season Award having picked up four Manager of the month awards. Their nearest rivals to the prestigious award, the U10A’s, were some 1,000 points behind them in the points system.

The Under 12’s managed by Barry King and Paul Scigala saw their best success in the County Cup, reaching the quarter finals before being edged out by a useful Deeping Rangers side who would go on to win the Trophy. For a while the U12’s looked as if they might challenge for the league as well but unfortunately a blip in March put paid to their title hopes and they had to be content fifth place. T

he Under 14’s managed by Alan Ward and Ant Jones struggled all season in the their League and now wait to see whether they will play in the “B” or “C” League next season having finished 12th.

Finally the Under 15 (managed by Andy Blackband and John Brett) who are growing up rapidly and will soon be pushing for places in the Club’s senior sides, enjoyed a mixed season finishing in a mid-table position in the “B” League.

As Chairman, having held the position for seventeen seasons, I am very fortunate to preside over a very enthusiastic and dedicate Committee. Unlike the majority of our counter-parts we meet every week during the season to ensure that our affairs are run efficiently and effectively. By doing so we can continue to provide football for as many junior and seniors players as possibly, be it playing, officiating or just watching. Further proof that we do things in the correct manner, we continue to fulfil the requirements of an “FA Charter Status Club Award Club” This includes having all our managers CRB checke and continuing to encourage and pay towards them studying for and achieving their FA coaching badges. As stated earlier, Matt Petch recently achieved his Level 2 badge, higher than some of our Premier and Football League managers.

The cost of running a club of our size are extremely high as can be appreciated. It is always difficult to generate cash so we are eternally grateful for all of the help we receive from our fundraisers and sponsors without whose help we could not survive. Finally though, a big thank you must also go out to all the parents and grand-parents who help us in so many ways both financial and other. Thank you

John Wood Chairman