Kombi Buddie

we are now out of the cup but the boys done me & themselves proud. Scoreline of 5-0 belies their effort. Both teams managed about an equal number of shots in the game, theirs going in was the main difference, oh & the fact all their players were academy standard. My team gave it a real go. Lost the 1st half 5-0 but drew the 2nd 0-0. Back to league business on 18th January. How did you get on?

good luck in your match againstMill United Colts, Stuart. Team we played last Sunday, Harold Wood Cougars was my team 1st ever opponents when they started at U7's. We lost that 1st game 2-0 and have drawn every other game since. 2-1 down at half time last week looked la bot ominous as we had over run them in the 1st half. Our keeper touched the ball about twice in the second half as we ran out 3-2 winners comfortably but should have been much more. I need my boys to bring their shooting boots tomorrow as chances may be few & far between. Cougars lost 14-0 to the team sitting 1 place above our opponents tomorrow. If my boys play their game, they'll be fine but, if they don't turn up, it'll be like the Alamo. Here's hoping for wins for us both tomorrow, we'll be going for it :-)

Good Luck Sunday.

we looked forward to the jump from 7 a-side to 9v9 since the boys were U9's. We are now 1/2 way into our 1st season at 9v9 and I am starting to feel the pitch is too small for most of my players. I thought they'd have found it more difficult. It is their first season playing off sides and that has come quite quickly to most. If I can keep the bulk of my current squad for a few years, they'll be a fairly decent 11 v 11 side. Just now I have 4 strong left footed players which gives me a great balance as left back, left mid & striker are all left footers and I have the same down the right and in the middle, can mix & match left & right footers. need to teach them to shoot though. Created a good 15 chances yesterday, scored the harder chances & fluffed the less difficult. They won 3-2 but could have been so much more and it is missed chances that has defined our season to date. Next Sunday, we have our cup match v Langley Colts {postponed due to weather, a few weeks back} They are 40 places above us in the league. Our opponents yesterday played the team 1 spot behind them & got beat 14-0. We are going for the win :-). Got a squad of 13 & have 9 different scorers. Centre Mid has 10 in 12 games, Left back has 8 in 9 games. Goals form 8 out of the 9 positions. Goalie gets the 1st penalty to {hopefully} give us the full house :-)

I don't see any value in it either but apparently, it's all part of the master plan to get the English national team more competitive. Having players up to U16's not seeing their results or league positions published is supposed to be encouraging {allegedly}. I doubt it will stop he migration of the more accomplished players at whatever age group to the teams with managers who's ideal is to trial boys and build the best team he can. For me, it's about encouraging children to play football and enjoy it. I'll be starting another team {my 5th team} next season as there are that many children coming over looking to play football. now have 30 odd players training with me an am taking calls weekly of parents looking for a team for their son or daughter. My original team started as U7's and entered the league at U8's and I have started teams at U9's, U11's & U12 Girls. The new team will be U12's.

Stuart, great stuff on the cup win. They've gone 5v5 down here for U7's & U8's. The U10's & under is now festival football as they call it. Results don't & won't be published until they get to U16's or so. I'm not convinced by the value of that as I don't know anyone who doesn't want to see how they are getting on league wise. It might stop the migration of a teams better players to teams perceived to be better. I have had to rebuild my team every year as I continually lose my best players to academy standard teams as parents aspirations for their sons are chased. This year, I have got the best squad I've had since we started. We have a team 40 places above us in the league in our next cup match on December 14th, that'll give us a marker for where we are at, as our opponents are all academy standard players. Looking forward to this game.

Gents, Been a couple of years since this thread started & just wondering how your team's & clubs are getting on? G..

can your children not have an affinity for both? St Mirren is their BIG team Partick is their wee team. Job done.

They used to have one at Barshaw golf course. I recently played Starthpeffer golf course but had turned up before the pro shop opened. I found a green keeper and was told, just pop in when you're finished and pay

a cracking game today, 2 goals in the last 5 minutes was too little too late as we had gifted Hannakins Farm a 3 goal advantage with 20 minutes to play. 2 more minutes we'd have had the draw but it wasn't to be. Left back started the fightback with a fine goal, his 4th in 2 matches. Thinking of playing him at centre forward next week. Despite getting beat, really enjoyed todays game as both teams went for it & there was plenty cracking play from both teams.

Sounds good for the team Stuart. we got battered week in week out last season after our goalie left. Alternated Ashley {left back} and my son Innes {right back} in goal and whilst they done their best, are not keepers. Got a new lad come over at the start of the summer holidays and was asked by his mum "please don't mess him about, his last club told him he is shit" the lad is mustard & played his 1st game for us last week. Some cracking saves made, diving at players feet & switched on to distribute the ball quickly. I think he kicked the ball twice all match & they were goal kicks. Got a lad, thinks he should play striker {wants the glory of scoring goals}, he got 2 from central midfield last week and will score a bucket load by bursting through from midfield. Stern test this Sunday, when we play Hannakins Farm, who always put out good teams. Lost 1-0 to them in a tourney inthe summer but have since added the keeper and a cracking midfielder. This season, we've bridged the gap with the senior team quite a bit & now sharing the same website http://www.romfordfc.com Took my U11 yellows team over 2 weeks ago for the Romford FC match v Tilbury. Manager of Romford FC took the team out on the pitch and done a 1 hour training session with them before the match. Boys loved it. small thing but every player at Romford Borough Youth FC has been given a season ticket for Romford FC. The hope is that the players want to go but take an adult with them who pays to get in. At £8, it's great value compared to the £50 - £70 for the cheap seats at West Ham or Arsenal.

boys got off to a flyer in their 1st 9v9 game with our left back scoring a hat trick inside the last 10 minutes to secure a 6-2 win.

In a country where the question most asked is "aye! but whit wan ur ye" as it is inconceivable to too many that their is football life away from Glasgow' ugly sisters. I can't decide how corrupt Scottish football is or if it is just immoral. Until the country gets past the hang-up that is rankers & septic, it'll remain that way.

Everton - watched them for my football fix with my Everton supporting mates when I moved to London in 1986. Arthurlie - I was born & brought up in Barrhead and as they were my grandfathers team, they were the 1st team I was ever taken to watch St Mirren - my dad is from Paisley and there's the influence Romford FC {Ryman League}, I coach 2 of their U11 teams and U12 Girls {Ryman League is decent football & well worth going along to for a game with a beer on the terracing}

I've shared this before, remains one of my favourite comedy clips. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDQd49rEF_0

took the chance to go watch Romford FC opening match in Ryman League Div 1 North yesterday & was quite taken by the football on show & will now be my football fix down here and I'd heartily recommend it to you all if your ever nearby or just looking to go watch a football match. Lakeside Shopping Centre is less than a mile away so whilst the wife is at the shopping.... I spoke earlier in the day to Romford's chairman and asked where I could get a beer? "in the clubhouse and if you ask for it in a plastic glass, you can bring it out and watch the game" was the reply. I headed in for another pint whilst Romford celebrated their 3rd goal and was back for the restart. Standing at the football & having a beer at the same time, a great idea. Romford FC play at Thurrock FC's ground which can be seen from the M25 {J30} at Lakeside. South Way, Ship Lane, Aveley RM19 1YN

Paisley Bud, I'll speak with the parents again on Saturday & give you a shout of roughly when they'd like to go. Graeme

Stuart, Thanks for the reply I know but amongst the team I have West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, even got 2 Liverpool supporters so they are beyond redemption. One of the mums asked if we can go to Celtic Park. Talk about stab me in the heart.. Never thought about a tournament in Scotland, will have a wee google search for them & see the story. As they want to keep the costs down, I think driving will be the chosen mode of transport which obviously makes WWW very do-able.

Paisley Bud, Many thanks. I would be interested to know more about the University Campus for accommodation. Have you any details or able to point me in the right direction. For me, being close to Paisley/Glasgow opens up the travel options. The parents who suggested the idea have gone off to explore Driving/Flying & Rail options. I suspect we would drive up but if we were to fly up or come by rail, being central would place us in public transport distance rather than having to hire cars/minibus. I will be looking at the local hotels, preferably with a pool. If we do manage to get this going, i'll be keen to make sure we get to a St Mirren match. Which club are you involved with? Cheers. G..

Gents, been speaking with some of the parents of my U11's team tonight and they've asked if we can do a tour at the end of the coming season. Seemed only natural to chuck Scotland into the mix when they were talking of prospective destinations. They seemed quite taken by the idea but want to check out prices & timings etc. The alternative, Camber Sands is 2 hours drive for us & it's a popular destination for football tourneys/tours whereas Glasgow is 7 hours drive but there is a few lads on this forum & thread who are involved in youth football who might be interested in our team visiting. If we can get organised to come to Scotland, do you have teams at your club who could be interested in a game against Romford Borough Youth FC U11's? {birth dates between 01/09/2003 & 31/08/2004. Going into Primary 7 in September} My initial thought to explore is Match on Saturday Morning then get to an SPL match {St Mirren} in the afternoon. Match on Sunday Morning & possibly get to another match in the afternoon. Head back south on Monday morning. Dates not yet decided but obviously would be subject to pitch availability. Thoughts / Suggestions much appreciated. I could arrange matches against a few different clubs down this way if, you fancied bringing your team down to London too on an end of season tour too. Cheers. G..

Stuart, been talking with the chairman of Romford FC {they play in Ryman League 1 North} and we are going to work together to put on a sportmans dinner at the end of the season. Liking your comments about your speakers. Seems speakers can be quite hit & miss so will need to tread carefully there. Can I ask, how do your club source/book their speakers? On another note, having a tally up of players at training tomorrow night. Looks like i'll be starting a 3rd team for the coming season, they will very much be a development team. A bunch of lads that other teams continually reject so I am keeping them training with me and enter them 9v9 in the Echo League whilst my 2 other teams will play in the Chelmsford League. Got 2 of the dads helping me out now which Is a godsend, 1 has contacts at West Ham & intends getting some West Ham coaches over to take a session or 3 through the season. I am happy with that. also, got another 6 girls coming training this Saturday so looks like I will start an U12 Girls team next season too. Happy days and I've got a fella who is happy to coach them with some support. As I said, Happy days. Lastly, going to speak with the parents at training to plant the seed for a wee end of season trip & tourney and will get ideas of costs in the coming week or 2. Camber Sands in June 1/2 term tends to be a favourite down here but I'm going to look for somewhere a wee bit different {to the rest}

sine die from football. A dog gets killed for biting once and since we don't put humans down for biting, kicking him out of football for good for his 3rd offence will be a just punishment.

just picked up the trophies for our club presentation night tonight. still wondering whether having it on the night when England play is a good or a bad thing. Only time will tell. At training today, all the players were buzzing as they debated who would win Parents Player & Managers Player. The parents were buzzing as they debated JD & Coke or white wine spritzers. 11pm ko for the England game & the bars are staying open for it. Carnage is sure to ensue. I cannae wait

Down here, pitch dimensions are 7v7 - 60 x 40 yards 9v9 - 80 x 50 yards 11v11 - 100 x 60 minimum my team U10's have now outgrown the mini pitch. Now that our season has ended, we'll get cracking on the boys learning offsides and get them used to the bigger pitch and having 2 more players on the pitch. I applied to The Football Foundation for funding to start new teams and received notification this afternoon that the application has secured £4500 {payable over 3 seasons} for the club to start 3 girls football teams over the next 2 seasons.

great stuff for the lads from WWW being offered pro youth deals, I hope they all do well at their respective clubs. I mentioned before {I think} that my mates nephew was signed by Charlton when he was 8, he's just turned 18 & recently signed a 2 year extension. I mention this, as in another thread somewhere, folks are discussing St Mirren contracts being offered to youth players coming through should be longer than the 1 year deals they are being offered. I watched Dillon play for Charlton U18's when he was 16 & thought the stand out player in that match was Charlton' left back Morgan Fox. A cracking player that reminded me of Gary Neville, he too, has just signed a 3 year deal at Charlton & that IMO, is the way for clubs to demonstrate faith in their youth set ups. Back to trials of this season & I am glad it is over. Lost our keeper late November time {his dad was an arse & I was glad to see the back of him {the dad} but we never managed to find a replacement keeper so conceded too many soft goals & ended up on the end of a few batterings. My lad has expressed an interest in going in goal so we now have 4 months before the new season. Hopefully, next season will be better than this. Managed to secure sponsors for new kits for next season, both home & away. Going with Joma for next season for both. Yellow shirt, royal blue shorts & yellow socks for the home as this is the clubs colours and this morning ordered Pisa12 shirt in Sky/White stripes with Navy shorts & Navy Socks which to the players & their parents will say, Argentina. To me, it says Arthurlie :-) Next season is 9v9 & up to 16x7 goals. Looking forward to the change as the boys had outgrown the 7v7 pitch. Here's hoping for a better season.