Under 12s United: You are the Special Ones: A review of 06/07

Wow, a second promotion in so many years, we are amazed at the fun the boys have had in the B league.

The league was close in skill between top and bottom clubs and every game we played was a great advert to boy’s football. Our competitive advantage was that we never gave up and great team spirit.

The big difference probably between A& B league next season will be composure, passing technique and speed over the 70 minutes play. We can up our game and keep our inclusive ethos.

A quick dribble through the season:

Best half time talk

Away at Faringdon 22nd April losing 2-0 on a small pitch “this is an important match we are better than them we can turn it around. Do the things you are good at and focus. 3-2 will do nicely” Full time result 3-2

Best Moment

Our players scoring penalties against Chris Tardif at Oxford United stadium on 25th November during the Saturday special. They needed us during the play off semi finals last month!

Worst moment

The Grove captain spraining his ankle in the 2nd minute that required an ambulance on 11th March

Best away ground

It has to be Ardington in the foothills of the Ridgeway with the delightful Georgian manor acting as the 4th official overlooking the pitches. Winning 1-0 to secure 2nd place adds to the choice.

Best away win

3-0 against Champions Wantage on 5th November- the week after losing against Grove. A great comeback.

Best home win

3-1 against Milton after they had claimed on the web forum that we had hardly got out of our half in the previous drawn match.

Best goal

Difficult one especially as Sholto has scored over half but the most important was James chip in the last minute against Chalgrove to equalize in a challenging match

Funniest moment

BBC Radio Oxford’s Dominic Cotter on air on 24th November 7:35am asking Sholto how many hatricks he had scored expecting the answer to be none!

The most important tactic for next season?

The need to take points of teams likely to be around us in the table

A recap on why we do it

Football is a force for caring, learning and bringing boys and parents together.

We hope that this season has given a sense of belonging, self esteem and good health.

The boys praise each other, exchange hints and skills, warmth and good natured teasing.

Some life lessons on how to:

1. be a good loser and winner

2. be part of a team

3. give your best

4. improve with practice

We are aware the risk of negative role models of threats or bad temper and we must remember football is a game especially as we approach the more competitive A league. We will continue to be good sportsman and have an inclusive ethos – as we said last year if players put the effort in we will be happy.

Congratulations to Julian to achieved a double recognition gaining his level 2 FA badge and Oxon coach of the year.

We have kept injuries at bay with through warm ups, fun play and we will introduce more warm downs after games as the testosterone kicks in!

We look forward to next season and staying up is our goal together with both players and supporters having fun and developing our boys proven soccer skills to the next level.

Lastly we say goodbye to Fraser and Dayle and wish them luck and say hello to Jack and Gleb

Thank you for being great partners – you are the special ones!

Rory Carnegie Julian Dark Joe McDermott Mark Mawhinney David Rundle