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June 3, 2009
Metheringham Football Club News - Summer 2009
A year has flashed by and we come to the end of another eventful and entertaining Football Season! I hope you have enjoyed it and are looking forward to a couple of months off before we start all over again, not counting the occasional five or six-a-side competition of course.
After last season's double champions and a Runners-up spot, a look at the league tables doesn't appear so good this time. However, the Under 16s, Under 14s and Under 13s were all in title/promotion contention going into the last few weeks of the season. Sadly none of them could maintain the momentum and all just failed to win the prize.
The Under 12s had a season to forget, whereas the Under 11s, Under 10s (1st year in the "A" League) and Under 9s all had their moments. Paul Chambers Under 8s and Chris Wood's Under 7s had their usual learning year as the object of the exercise at the younger ages is to introduce all players (and their parents) to football and despite what we see on television, to engender respect for Referees, the opposition and especially their team mates they have had a great time. Well done to everyone involved with all of these Teams.
At Senior and Intermediate level it has, in reality, been a difficult season. The Saturday XI continued its youth policy with the average age of the team just 21. Holding a mid table position for much of the season they slipped into the bottom four as April approached which allowed them entry into the Horace Franklin Cup which they had won the previous season. Again they reached the final and again they lifted the trophy to be the only side in the club to win something this season. The final was against Horncastle Town and it went to extra time with captain Guy Goodwin grabbing the winner with just three minutes left.
As for the Sunday 1st XI they went into the season as the longest reigning side in the Sunday Premier League at the present time, nine seasons. Unfortunately the season provided little success and the team finished in 8th position. The Sunday 2nd XI, in Division Four, had a little more successful season and finished 6th while the Under 18s, who were in the main, last season's Under 16s and playing a year below their age group, managed only one league win all season, finishing second to bottom, just above Welton.
I am very lucky to preside over a very enthusiastic and dedicated Committee. Unlike the majority of Clubs, we meet weekly throughout the season to ensure that we run our affairs efficiently and effectively. By doing so, we can continue to provide football for as many people as possible, be it playing, officiating or just watching.
Further proof that we do things in the correct manner, we continue to fulfil the requirements of a "FA Charter Status Club Award" Club. This includes having all of our managers CRB checked and continuing to encourage them to study for and achieve FA coaching badges. One person who has done this is 17 year old Sammy Hargrave (who started with the Club as an Under 8/9, before going on to Lincoln Ladies youth teams) and then returning to help with our junior sides.
The costs of running a club of our size are extremely high. It is always difficult to generate cash so we are always very grateful for all of the help we receive from our fundraisers and sponsors without whose help we could not survive.
Finally a big thank-you must also go to all of the Parents who help us in so many ways, both financial and other. That said, the club is already starting to prepare for the new season so if there are any potential footballers out there from any age (6 to 60!!) please contact Club Secretary Pete Ford who will put you in contact with the respective team for your needs - 01526 320016
Have a great summer and hopefully we will see you all again, next season.
John Wood (Chair)
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