Would all parents and players please note that NASC will be enter teams from the club into the Haggerston Castle junior football tournament which will take place between 1st and 4th of May 2009.

These events are always enjoyable and I hope as always we have a sufficient numbers to enable us to enter the u14's.

The cost is £79 per person for Haggerston Castle with an extra £10 per person payable should you choose to upgrade to a superioir caravan. I will require you to confirm the number of people in your party with their names and date of births by Saturday 27th September and the type of caravan you desire.

I will then need a £25 deposit per person paying to me no later than 20/10/08.

Please remember this costs includes the cost of your accommodation ,all players registration and insurance fees ,pitch hire,referees fees and the presentation evening when each player will be awarded with a trophy on stage from a known celebrity. In recent years this has included people such as Sir Geoff Hurst and Bryan Robson

Apologies for the short notice but we now have 150 children registered to the sports club and we are trying to ensure we can book all the teams into the same tournament asap.

Should anyone require any further details then please contact me.

Thanks in advance,

Regards,

Slatch.

Would all players and parents please note that we will no longer be training at Sugar Hill School on a Saturday any more.

As from Sat 13/09 we will train where we will be playing all our home fixtures this season which is at Woodham Technology College.

As usual the Saturday morning sessions will commence at 10.00 am and finishing at 12.00 noon........... ish !.

Finally could I ask all parents to please ensure their child has their subs with them each and every Saturday morning as this makes the administration and subscription reconciliation much easier to manage.

Regards,
Slatch

Would all players and parents please note that from this Wednesday 10/09 our fitness training sessions will now take place in doors at Woodham technology college in the gym between 19.30 p.m and 20.30 p.m. This will ensure that regardless of any different type of weather conditions we experience we will be able to conduct these very important sessions in a dry and warm environment.

Should anyone need any further information then please contact me.

Regards,
Slatch

At the last managers meeting I attended the committee confirmed that as a charter standards club we would be supporting the FA's new RESPECT initiative this season.All managers have been asked to advise all players and parents of the basic principles that we will have to follow, so whilst I will be speaking with all the players when we next meet I thought it would be prudent to confirm the guidelines of the campaign which has been introduced to make football more enjoyable for everyone involved from managers , coaches ,players or the parents who watch from the touch line.

The main points to note are as follows:

1) Teams will be expected to shake hands both before and after a game
2) Both teams should be given positive encouragement at all times by both sets of spectators
3) The referees decision should not be questioned but be accepted at all times even if you do not agree with it (and yes I know that I might struggle with this one ! )
4) Only the team captain is to approach the referee during the game on behalf his team mates
5) Referees are to book / send players off who use foul and or abusive language which will then incur a financial fine that the player will be expected to pay. A sending off could / will also incur a ban from playing competitive games for up to 28 days also.
6) Any parent also deemed to be acting in an un sportsman like way , disputing the referees decisions or heard using foul and abusive language will be asked to leave the playing area straight away with the game not re starting until they have done so.
7) All teams will also be asked to identify by way of line markings ,cones or as we did last year a rope barrier to ensure that spectators are kept a safe distance from the playing area. Again if anyone is found to encroach beyond this point the referee has the right to ask them to leave the field of play with the game not re starting until they have done so.

I am sure that I can rely on your support in following these guide lines during the forth coming season which should ensure a safe and friendly atmosphere is enjoyed by all.

Finally if anyone wishes to discuss these new guidelines in more detail then do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Slatch

Whilst on holiday rcently I had a thought which as you know can be very dangerous for someone from Leeds !.
This was to hold a session after normal training has been completed to determine each individual players own level of fitness so we can then agree improvement targets based on their own current levels of fitness rather than treating all the players the same as we have to do on a Wednesday night.

I do appreciate that not all children develop the same and they therefore have different thresholds and ability so this session is aimed at understanding each players own levels and then agreeing individual improvements targets with each of them based on their own starting point.

We can then monitor this going forward and track them on an individual basis as well as collectively as a group. I hope that all players wish to attend this session which I believe will benefit everyone and if there are any parents willing to help on the day recording datails and helping us set up etc then please let me know. Leo and I will be available to conduct the session so all you need do now is confirm your willingness to paticipate .

I am now pleased to confim that we have had 19 chldren conirm they wish to take part which is an excellent response from the squad.

As you are all aware we had to cancel the session on 06/09 due to the pitch being too wet to train on so I have re-scheduled the session to take place on Saturday 13/09 straight after our normal session. Can I therefore ask all parents to ensure their child has waterproof cloathing if needed , plenty to drink and packed lunch. Iwould expect the afternoon session to finish between 2pm and 3pm but should anyne require any further informaton then please do not hesiitate to contact me.

Regards ,
Slatch

Would all parents and players please note that all our games will kick off at the later time of 1400 this year unless other wise advised. Before anyone asks these are the league rules not mine !

Would all parents and players please note that the friendly fixture that was arranged against Darlington TSC kicking off at 10.30 a.m on Sunday has been postponed due to a water logged pitch.
Thanks
Slatch.

Would all parents and players please note that the U14's will be playing all their home fixtures this season at Woodham School. However the facilities are not yet available so we will continue to train at Sugar Hill until further notice. As soon as I have any further information of when we can commence training there I will update you all further. Regards, Slatch

Would all parents and players please note the club has been granted permission by Tesco to once again allow our teams to conduct a bucket collection at their Aycliffe store on Saturday 05/07. The u14's have been allocated a one and half hour slot between 13.00pm and 14.30 pm.Due to the fact that Tesco will only allow 6 children in attendence at any one time,could I ask you to let me know if your son is available to attend and that you are able to make the required arrangements to drop them off and collect them again as soon we are finished. Once I have the names of those who are available I will split the boys into groups and confirm the times that they need to be present for. On the day they will need to wear their full club strip and dependant on the weather they may need to wear their Aycliffe rain jacket and water proof bottoms also, because after all it is British summer time you know!. Your continued participation in supporting this event would be as ever, very much appreciated as it is a vital source of revenue for the Club which has raised significant amounts of money on the 2 previous occaisions that we have carried out a bucket collection at the store previously. Also please bear in mind that all funds raised are then used to try and further improve the clubs facilities by purchasing new equipment ,etc , which will then help the club coaches develop your childs footballing skills. Many thanks in advance and please dont forget to let me know your sons availability either by sending me a text or leaving me a message with my wife Tracy. Regards, Slatch.

I would hope that you will agree with me when I say what a fantastic day we all enjoyed at our annual presentation function on Saturday 14/06/08. A big thanks to the committee members and all those involved behind the scenes who helped make the day run so smoothly.I would also like to personally say a special thanks to Dave Chambers, who not only performed an excellent job comparing both sessions for a total of 6 hours without a break but with maybe an odd pint drank here and there just to stop his throat getting dry !, but for also producing the U13's excellent presentation dvd which I thought was brilliant. I think all the players deserve credit for once again being well behaved and I hope they too found the day enjoyable. In mine and Leo's opinion every single one of them deserved their individual awards but we would also like to congratulate the following for collecting the "individual nominated" awards Golden Boot : Ryan Draffan Player of the season : Connor Lyon Most Improved : Thomas Prior Players Player : Jack Slatcher Managers Player : Josh Shotton Player of the Mablethorpe Tournament : Jack Slatcher I was also very pleased for our very own Ronnie Fuller who was quite rightly nominated and jointly awarded the Chairmans award ,in recognition for all the hard work and effort he has displayed in taking his goal keeping coaching badges to enable him to give the correct specialist training needed to help not just our own keeper but the rest of the clubs keepers also....... so well done Ronnie. I will look forward to seeing all of you who have confirmed that you are signing for the sports club back at training on Saturday 28th June. Regards Slatch.

The U13'S Entered 2 teams into the Billingham Town 7 a side football tornament on Sunday 08/06.Our teams competed against teams from Billingham , North Ormesby and two teams from Stockton West End.The format was that each team played each other once and the top 4 in the League format stage out of the 6 teams entered then went forward to a semi final knock out stage.The two teams who then won their respective semi finals would then play each other in the final. The weather was glorious on Sunday morning and as we left the Sports club at 09.30 a.m Leo and I were very optimistic that we were in with a real chance of lifting some silverware.We had 14 children representating the sports club and as we have come to expect their behavious both on and off the pitch was impecable. Ayclifee city lined up as follows ,McCormak ( Captain)Hardy,Smith,Shotton,Lee,Kerr and Fuller. Aycliffe United lined up,Slatcher(captain),Prior, Chambers,Lyon,Steele,Bright and Wharton.Leo and I decided today that the captians should be given the responsibility of agreeing each players starting position and who would be their nominated penalty takers and I have to say that both captains took their respective responsabilities seriousley and approached the task in hand in a very mature fashion.Aycliffe City played well on the day, especially considering that they had 2 players in Jordan Kerr and Carl Smith making their debuts but unfortunayely they never seemed to get that little bit of luck when they needed it and they were knocked out at the league stage despite some good performences by all the players. United however qualified for the semi finals coming top of the league. Aycliffe United then faced Stockton West End in a tense semi final which they went 0-1 down in the second half but forced the game into extra time with a late equaliser from a twice taken penalty by Bradley Steele who kept his nerve under terrific pressure. Aycliffe then secured the win in extra time with a fine strike from Danny Chambers. The final consisted of the two teams who came 1st and 2nd in the league with Aycliffe United meeting the tournament hosts Billingham Town. In a tense encounter Aycliffe took the lead through Jack Slatcher shot on the half volley and with less than a minute to go you could have forgiven Leo and I for believing we had done enough to lift our first trophy since we took over the team only to see Billingham equalise with less than 30 seconds remaining. The scores remained deadlocked even after extra time, so penalties loomed with each team taking 3 each and then sudden death if the scores were still level.Bradley Steele, Thomas Bright and Danny Chambers all cooley converted their spot kicks as did Billingham so we commenced the sudden death stage. Connor Lyon showed his character by stepping up and converting Aycliffes 4th penalty to take the lead again so when Thomas Prior pulled off a tremendous save to deny Billingham a 4th equalising penalty the game was desrvedly won by Aycliffe.Peter Wharton had an exceptional tournament for Aycliffe united following his return from the Youth Club and he was supported by Thomas Bright who both scored some terrific goals to help us reach the final,but all the united players played well today and they got their just rewards for their efforts and deservedly ran out worthy winners. However, both teams deserve credit today for many different reasons and each of the City players should also be proud of themselves for keeping going in every game when things just weren't quite going for them so although it was united who were presented the winners cup this achievment was quite rightly shared by both teams as a club which is demonstrated on the photograph diplayed on the photo gallery. Lets just hope this is the shape of the things to come in the forth coming season. Well done to all who played and attended.Regards, Slatch.

Would all parents and players please be aware that Onside Sport are currently running a central venue league (CVL) for U13's at Woodham Community Technology College on a Monday between 17.30pm and 18.30pm. This opportunity is open to all children who are currently eligable to play U13's football and the format is that anyone interested can turn up and you will then be split into different teams and play a mini tournament. They currently have about 15 kids who turn up each week so if anyone is interested in playing each Monday evening then please feel free to turn up and join in the fun. Regards, Slatch.

As another football season draws to a close I believe we can look back on the second half of the season with some pride and satisfaction. Bearing in mind at Christmas we were sat bottom of the league and still without a league win. So whilst both Leo and I would like to have seen us finish much higher up the league considering where we were at the start of the festive break to come 3rd off bottom and avoid relegation to division 3 was a relief and a satisfying achievment also. The boys have demonstrated in the second half of the season what a good team they can be playing some excellent football,which other managers have passed comment on also. This up turn in our form resulted in the boys winning 3,drawing 5 and loosing 4 of our remaining 12 fixtures.However as we all know we do not score enough goals from the chances we create and this is bourne out by the fact that our golden boot this year has gone to a player with just 5 league and cup goals through out the whole of this season.So Leo and I are trying to attract one of those rare breeds of players to our club known as an out and out goal scorer !. I am therefore pleased to confirm that we have already secured the services of 2 new players for next season with Peter Wharton returning from our neighbours across the Town and Carl Smith also signing in this week.No one has informed me of their intention not to re sign for the Sports Club so if we do, as I hope, retain all of this years squad and also including the 2 new arrivals we will have a minimum 18 players registered for the new season with ability to sign a further 2 if the right players become available. This will ensure greater competition for places and hopefully give Leo and I some selction head aches as well as having the ability to make tactical changes during games if needed. We will also continue with our fitness training when we resume training and I am sure you will all agree that our squad has benefited from the fitness sessions held this year and apart from one or two moans and groans Leo and I think the kids enjoy it really ! As ever Leo and I would like to thank all the parents for your support during the season and hope we can count on it again next year also.I have now cancelled training until after the presentation day as I am a firm believer in allowing the kids,and Leo and I ,time to recharge the batteries ,so we are all having a well earned break !. I hope to see you all at the presentation day and I hope all of you can make the evening function also.Finally I would like to thank one or two people before signing off , these include Leo for his invaluable help and assistance in running the team because you would not believe how much of your personal time it can take up !,Graham Steele , Ronnie Fuller and Alan Hardy for their help in training and coaching the Kids respectively and a further note of thanks for Graham who also kindly agreed to pick our M.O.M for this season, which is not an easy task at the best of times but Graham gladly agreed to do this and he always explained in detail as to why he had arrived at his decision. finally to our very own referee Dave Prior for putting up with some rare rants from myself at one or two of his decisions......well o.k most of them then !. I hope by the time I see you all at the presentation my beloved Leeds United will have made it to the play off finals and won but this looks unlikely following the home defeat to that mighty cumbrian team from Carlisle and that Chelsea go on to beat the Mancs and win the champions league final. Have a great summer break and I will look forward to seeing you all on Saturday the 14th for the presentation.....and dont forget that all the players need to wear white shirt tucked in , club tie and black trousers. Regards Slatch

Would all players and parents please note that the players annual presentation will take place on Saturday 14th June at The Cumby.Please note that this year we have decided to split the presentaion into 2 sessions with the younger teams going first and then the older teams, which includes ours ,will be presenting our awards later in the afternoon. I will confirm the actual timings nearer the date.There will also be entertainment in the evening in the shape of a live band so that we the parents can enjoy ourselves once the presentations have finished and the kids have gone home !.So if you are interested in attending the evening function you will need to to me know. Please keep this date free as every player will be invited on stage to receive at least one award each.The other awards which will be presented are as follows : 1)Player of the season 2)Managers player of the season 3)Golden Boot 4)Most improved player 5)Players player of the season 6)Player of the Mabelthorpe tournament I will look forward to seeing you all on the day.Regards Slatch

I don't think anyone would disagree with me when I say that it has been a very disappointing and frustrating season so far. The boys have at times played some excellent football against some very good teams and I still maintain that with a bit more self belief we are not far short of being a very good side. Lets hope the festive break allows each of our players time to reflect on their own performances whilst re charging their batteries over the Xmas break. Our next game is on 06/01 at home against South Park Rangers in the quarter final of the challenge cup and hopefully we will see another good cup performance which should then hopefully see our league form improve. On behalf of all the kids I would like to say a big thank you to all our parents who give up their own time on a weekend in all kinds of weather conditions to ensure their child has the opportunity to play football.I know they may not always show it but I'm sure they do appreciate what you do for them and you never know they may just have spoken to Santa at some point and arranged a special gift for you all come Christmas morning !. I too appreciate your ongoing support and have asked Santa for some special gifts to be delivered to one or two of you as a token of my appreciation for your help. So if Santa has had time then he might be delivering the following..........Hair clippers for Leo to keep that long fringe out of his eyes on match days...... and yes before you all say it I know I don't need them!. A new pair of glasses for Dangerous which allows him to see all the off sides he misses together with a pair of new legs which will allow him to keep up with the run of play for a change.......actually Dave, Joanne requested the new legs cos she thinks the old ones have had it and even KFC could not find a use for them !.A Leeds United season ticket for Ronnie Fuller because being a depressed Newcastle fan he longs to see some good football being played and he would certainly see that at Elland Road as Wise's revolution gathers pace !. A new linesman flag for Dave Chambers which gives the throw In's the right way...... he cant help getting it wrong really cos after all he is an "egg chasing Rugby union fan " which does not compare to a Man's game like Rugby League now does it Dave ?............Super Leeds Rhinos 2007 super league champions !.A massive box of soap powder for Graham Steele so that he can wash the 92 different strips owned and wore by Brad every year !.Then finally there's me and when I was growing up I was brought up not to expect too much then you dont get too disappointed so bearing this in mind I asked Santa for..............Girls Aloud ...not the latest CD but all of them ! but failing that seeing the u13's avoid relegation and my beloved Leeds United hopefully getting promoted this season would do just fine !. On a serious note though I would like to say a special thanks to all the aforementioned people who also give their own time up to help me try and develop your child's footballing skills in their own free time. Finally If I don't see you all at training this Wed 19/12 or on Saturday 22/12 at the players Xmas function I would just like to sign off by wishing each and everyone of you and your families a safe and fun packed Christmas and a happy New Year.I will look forward to seeing you all back at training on Saturday 5/01/08 at 10.00a.m. Regards Slatch.

Would all parents and players please note that that the clubs fundraiser at Tesco when the kids from all our teams carried out a bucket collection through out the day raised a massive £890 and I would like to thank everyone for their tremendous efforts.Well done to all.

On behalf of the club I would just like to say a big thank you to all the parents who helped organise and participated in the recent u13's fund raising day. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day despite being on the wrong end of a terrible refereeing decision during the netball match when I was unjustly sent off !.The result did not do the dads justice with the mams scraping a lucky 12 all draw. Despite the children taking a beasting from the parents at rounders , he , he , he I'm sure they also enjoyed the day too.All in all both these events together with the raffle , penalty shoot out and golf we raised a total of £540 which considering this amount was raised wholly by the u13's was a fantastic amount to raise. A couple of special thank you goes to Dave and Betty Gowland for running the B.B.Q all day in very indifferent weather conditions and to Joe and Joanne Petroczey for turning up to support the event. Thanks again to all. Slatch

Welcome back to parents and players alike. The weekend we have all been waiting for is now nearly upon us as our first fixture of the new league campaign is due to kick off Sunday 09/09. I am very pleased with our preseason training / fitness regime and in the main most of the children have willingly participated and you can see the positive results it has achieved.Both Leo and I believe we have a much fitter squad this season than we did last year and I am sure that whilst the kids may tell you that it was not easy at times, I am sure they will feel the difference during the last 10 minutes of the second half in a match and so will the opposition hopefully ! So the kids are all fitter this year than last that there is no doubt, I even think the manager and coaches have seen some benefit but you would not possibly tell by looking at any of us "old uns" though !. So lets hope that the players have that bit of self belief that was missing a times last season because I have no doubt that this team is capable of beating any team in our division on their day, so come on boys show everyone what Leo and I KNOW you are all capable of and lets hope we have a positive start to the new campaign. See you all at training or at the game on Sunday. Regards, Slatch