Year in Review – Under 8’s and 9’s

By Paul Roberts

As we have approached the end of 2022 and now into mid-season, I thought it’s appropriate to summarise the outstanding start both my U8 and U9 teams have had since we formed during the pre-season period. Within a month of being a “team”, the U8’s showed fight, togetherness and skill to win the incredibly competitive annual tournament at Elloughton FC. These tournaments are seriously difficult to win as you are pitched against teams from all over the region all fighting for the one ultimate prize, a trophy. The U8’s then continued competing throughout the summer, superbly never finishing outside of a final which culminated in taking part in the national Corus Cup hosted at Flamingo Land, unfortunately just pipped again in the final match.

The U8’s then moved on to league action in September, the team plays in the Scunthorpe area Jack Kalson League, the boys and girl went from strength to strength each week, listening and learning at training and bringing what they have learnt into the games. Lots of goals have been scored, lots of passes have been made, lots of strong tackles have been delivered, and they have all gelled into such a strong little unit, taking on each challenge and opponent together and really showing me, the coaches and the spectators just how dynamic, skill full, super talented and strong this group is. As a reward for all their hard work and efforts the U8 team will be competing a year group above from January and will go into the U9 league, competing as a U8 team, another real challenge, one I’m sure this team will excel. A few new faces will enter the squad from January to allow us to have the depth to compete and learn now that we will be playing over the 7v7 format, exciting times ahead, very much looking forward to this. 

The U9 team formed slightly later so they missed most of the tournament season but they are very much looking forward to having a good crack at it come 2023 and hopefully adding to the U8’s success. After a strong pre-season where we were adding players into the squad right up to season kick off in September, the boys gelled together quickly on and off the pitch. The team plays in the Grimsby Crofts league which delivers a league fixture each weekend plus monthly cup competitions. We showed ability, skill, togetherness and most importantly graft, we became a team that worked so hard for each other and was able to let our skill and learnings from training culminate into performances we delivered on the pitch. The boys are currently in the Grey division of the league but it’s also great news for this team as they will move up into the top Orange division from the January restart. This will challenge us even further in ways we have not felt or dealt with yet but the boys will keep learning and developing which is what it is all about at this age. We have recently signed one new player into the squad with a couple more to add to over the next few weeks. 

I should mention our current U9 captain Seb, what a challenge to do the role for the first time in a new team with new players, but he has done amazing, he motivated and organised the boys on the pitch, consistently delivered his own job in defence to a high standard and Seb was so proud to ask me for the armband at the start of each match, he wore it with pride and with conviction. Well done Seb. Harry and Alfie will skipper until the end of the season as we planned to share the role around but you’ve done a fab job Seb and definitely captain material for the future.

We also welcome Elijah Crosby into the U8 captains role which he will take up from January, this role has been shared over the last 6 mths through all the players but now is the time to have a sustained period of regular captaincy in the U8 team. 

A final well done to both teams on their learnings and performances so far… big achievement. 

I want to finally thank my coaching team, I am incredibly lucky to have fantastic coaches and assistants that enable me not only to have the bandwidth to manage both teams but deliver engaging, knowledgeable and creative coaching sessions week in week out for all the young players. Ben, Tony, Will and Mike a big thank you from me and the players for putting in so much time and effort to make the players have engaging and educational sessions.  All that’s left to say is what a season so far! It couldn’t have gone better, the players are learning and developing and the club is moving forward with its youth academy section and strategy. Looking forward to getting going again in January with another big second half of the season. Happy Christmas!