Metheringham Football Club Review Summer 2010

The Saturday XI continued to improve season on season, this time finishing strongly to register a mid-table position. Unfortunately, no major Cup success to report, in fact they got knocked out at the first round stage of every cup entered. Hopefully, some of our victorious Under Eighteens will choose to continue to play their football for the Village sides and this will strengthen our teams no end.

The Sunday First Team just managed to avoid relegation (again) to remain the longest serving team in the Sunday Premier League (eleven straight years next season). Once again it is hoped that some of the Under 18s will stay with the Club as their addition to the players already there would ensure a far more competitive performance from the team. Despite the poor League position, the team reached the Semi-final of the senior Sunday Cup (Ron Eaglan) losing out in extra time to arch rivals Hunter's Leap (our 2nd XI side of 3 seasons ago) in a five goal thriller.

The Sunday 2nd XI, in Division Three, had a far more successful season with their young team and finished 3rd on the final day of the season They also reached the quarter finals of their only Cup competition (Fred Quibell) before being beaten by the eventual runners up.

The Under 18s helped by the inclusion of the previous year's Under 16s to supplement the few remaining "second years" won the Lincolnshire Intermediate (Central) League Championship on the last day of the extended season, the first time we have been successful since this league started in 1996. A great achievement for a Village side. In the several cup competitions they had mixed fortunes with the best being a Quarter Final slot in the George Addlesee Shield.

The Under 15s found the going hard in the 'A' Divison but one assumes they will have a better chance of silverware next season back in the 'B' league. The Under 14s looked like championship contenders before Christmas but failed to maintain the pressure, however they still ended the season in a very creditable mid-table position. As already stated the Under 12s had an excellent season, coming good at the end, going 16 games unbeaten to claim the Runners-up slot. They also reached the league cup semi final before losing to eventual winners Holbeach. Unfortunately Manager Paul Scigala has had to leave the Club due to work commitments and we take this opportunity to thank him for his time with us and wish him all the best in his new endeavour.

Both the Under 10s and Under 9s had great, eventful seasons, just missing out on the awards with 3rd and 4th place finishes,respectively. The Under 9s reached the semi final of the league cup, going out to eventual winners Gonerby. Finally a mention of the Under 8s, who I am told enjoyed themselves but must be eagerly awaiting next season, when they will be able to play in a competitive league for the first time.

One worrying aspect of our youth set-up is the lack of a team at some of the age groups. Next season we will be without Under 14s and 12s. We will, however, have two sides at Under 10s which will help the following season when they move up to eleven aside. We will be looking to find managers and players for Under 7s and or 8s. If anyone is interested in being involved (especially in running one of these sides) please contact Secretary Pete Ford 01526 320016

I am very lucky to preside over an enthusiastic and dedicated Committee. 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 our managers to achieve their coaching badges.

The costs of running a club of our size are extremely high. It is very difficult to generate cash and we send a massive thank you to all of those who have supported us in any way during the season. We had both good and bad news this season Liz Rogers came on board as official fund raiser but we lost Butch and Maggie of the Star and Garter who have excellently supported the Club for the last 10 years. We presented them with a clock as a thank you and wish them well in their new venture at The Ferryboat in Washingborough. They will be a massive loss to the Football Club and to the Village as a whole.

John Wood - Chairman