Ballinger AFC October 06 newsletter
Whoa! What a month we have just had. We have had first matches first home and away games, first goals, first hat-tricks. It’s been fun.
Home Game v Chesham United
Our boys did very well against an experienced, difficult and very large opposition. Well done to Tommy for scoring our first ever goal, and a cracker it was to. Jack steps up with the clubs first hat-trick, which, from speaking to the supporter’s, was exceptional.
I thought the whole morning against Chesham was sensational. Each and every one of the boys did us proud. It means a lot to the kids and the coaches to see so many of you turn up and cheer the boys on. I think we must have had close to 65 people and 3 dogs watch, which is really fantastic and fosters the atmosphere we are trying to cultivate at the club. An atmosphere where all kids play and have fun, and the parents get involved as well.
First League Game v Marlow (Away)
Our first league matches were brilliant. For the boys to walk away having won away from home against an established side in the wind and the rain was a great achievement. Congratulations to Luke for pulling off an incredible penalty save in his match. It was a fantastic performance and the improvement from every player from the week before was incredibly satisfying. The supporters were great again and there are rumors of a mulled wine club being organized for the winter matches, sounds good to me!
Thanks
Simon had written lots of gooey stuff about how fab I am in this bit, I thought I’d save you the pain. I am fab I know, but I do get nasty if provoked so be nice to me!
Thanks must go to Andy Devoy. Andy is the "Chief doggie-poo" cleaner before every training session and home match, also now nifty storage manager for goals!
Thanks to Catherine James for stepping up to be Club Treasurer. She will be hounding you for cash throughout the year. Also making up our committee is Chris Russell and Andrew Birchenough, along with the “Club Secretary” Simon Parker, often seen strolling through training in a Barbour jacket on a Saturday morning. He, like Nigel, has so far been blessed with a female family so is getting his fix of boys stuff on a Saturday morning.
Mark Brindley, has sadly been approached by Prestwood Colts to help run their under 10s team. Marks son plays for them, so we can’t really complain. We'd like to wish him well, and thank him for his 1 hour contribution to training! We received no money from Prestwood.
Bungs
With all the press speculation surrounding football and Premiership managers taking bungs to buy/sell players, the Coaches and I want to assure you that none of us have ever taken a bung. However, if you want to guarantee your son a place in the starting line up then we are only human!
Key Dates for October
Please note the following key dates for your diaries
- Sunday 15/10/06 Bedgrove Dynamos (Home) 10.00. am for 10.30 start.
- Saturday 21/10/06 – Training, half term
- Saturday 28/10/06 – Training
- Sunday 29/10/06 – we may arrange a friendly
- Sunday 5/11/06 Gerrards Cross & Fulmer (away) TBA
Wycombe Night
I think the kids had a lot of fun, I certainly did. Well done to all those that scored, and those that didn't, it doesn’t matter, as long as you enjoyed it. We may do something in the second half of the season that will involve the boys training at Wycombe for a few hours and then meeting the players. More to come on this in January.
Kit
All the boys now have their kit, bar one training jacket which was stolen from the delivery box. The last kit order for this half of the season has now been sent, so please hold on until Feb if you want something. Graham has a contact in Beijing, or somewhere like that, who are making us some sweat shirts for the boys. While the Indian summer is great, football is played in all weathers and they need something warmer when training in Winter.
Lost Property
Also, you will note a red square at the side of the training pitch. Can you ensure that all the boys put their water bottles, kit bags boots etc in this square when they arrive. It ensures that nothing gets lost or left behind. My house is becoming like a second hand store with all the kits that gets forgotten on a Saturday!
Pop Lacrosse
You may or not be aware that Maggie is/was a lacrosse player and is thinking about setting up a Ballinger-Bombers Lacrosse club (they will come under the football club banner, that way the Football club gets more money for better kit!) for all those smaller kids that get forgotten when Football training is on. It will be mainly targeted at the girls, although boys can play, and will practice on the "second" pitch, at the same time as the football. If you’re interested then let her know. It’s is an absolutely cracking game and will certainly get rid of the pent up frustration that some 6 year girls get!
Fans Player of the Year
Please don’t forget that you are going to have to choose the Fans players of the Year at the end of the Season. We will probably do two given we have two teams. Already there is a list of players that deserve it right thru the teams, so please write down who you think was worthy last weekend and keep it somewhere safe!
Discipline
I have emailed you about our red/yellow card rules and whilst these might seem harsh, it is something we feel very strongly about and want to ensure that training and matches remain in the good spirit they have been so far. It would also help if you could remind your children to shake hands at the end of a game. Maggie would like them all to line up and do 3 cheers but this may be a step to far for football just yet!
And finally…..
You may not be aware, but Graham and I are running a little competition as to who has the most wins in a season. Not looking good for me as I am 2 down already! Anyhow, I believe Ballinger 1 play the more attractive football! I’ll keep you a breast of the score during the season, but the looser buys the curry for all the coaches and support staff at the end of the season, not competitive then!
Well all the best until next month
Simon