PAUL’S BLOG
 
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
A WARM WELCOME TO 2007-2008 SEASON
 
A very warm welcome to all players and their families both old and new – I hope you all enjoy the coming season. Indeed, season 2007-2008 has got off to a fantastic start, with Longhoughton fielding a record 14 teams, consisting of 164 enthusiastic boys and girls age 5-15. Our unprecedented growth is a direct result of our growing reputation in the County and beyond, culminating in the FA award of Northern Region Charter Standard Club of the Year. Whilst we are of course disappointed that we didn’t win the National Title (maybe when they looked at the map they thought we were in Scotland!), we can all be immensely proud that we made it through to the last 9 in the Country. It is very gratifying that our contribution to grassroots football has been recognised at the very top of the English FA and is just reward for the incredible amount of hard work that the voluntary staff have put in. On that note, I am trying to think where the past 6 weeks have gone. It has been the busiest time at the Club since I took over the Chair in 2004, with unprecedented levels of activity to get our 14 teams fully prepared for the Season. Some days, I didn’t think the phone would stop and even considered living in the Bahamas under an assumed identity but then realised I’d just get sucked into the local football! Of course, being the Club where everyone wants to play is a nice problem to have. However, we must ensure that we offer the best quality experience to our current players and, as we don’t have access to anymore winter training slots, we have reluctantly decided to introduce a waiting list. There are currently no sports hall slots available across the district; I am aware that some of our evening slots are later than we would like but, unfortunately, we have little option. As ever, Rod Munday, assisted by Rachel, has done wonders with the accounts and ordering kit and equipment, so much so that his garage at times resembled Del Trotter’s lock-up. Maybe Rod should get a Robin Reliant 3 wheeler to replace his E type Jaguar?! In addition, Pam has helped me with piles of admin, including sorting out (and chasing up) the 164 player registration forms, a mundane yet essential task in getting the Club up and running for the season. Yet again we are fortunate to have so many dedicated, FA qualified coaches in place. I must mention Danny Troy and John Whittle who’ve put in an inordinate amount of time attending meetings in Newcastle whilst preparing our goals and pitch for Longhoughton’s first foray into the NABC 11 a-side league. Our U-15s and U-11s are just the beginning, and every year we will be entering further 11 a-side teams to ensure that we provide competitive opportunities at the highest level for our players who have grown-up and developed their talents at the Club. On that note, it’s been absolutely terrific to see full-blooded 11 a-side matches return to the village with incredible levels of parental support adding to the atmosphere. A special thank-you to Lynn Stevenson, Diane Troy and all the ladies who have got a ‘tuck-shop’ with tea, coffee and cakes available on match days, raising significant funds in the process. This is typical of the support we receive at the Club and is much appreciated. It’s good to see many valued sponsors, both old and new, supporting the Club. Sponsors are key to keeping costs to parents to a minimum which ensures that football is accessible to all. When I met up with an U-11 team in Los Angeles (pick that one up...), I was staggered to learn that they pay $1600 (£800) a year which of course excludes all but the most dedicated (daft?!) or wealthy. It transpired that all the coaches are paid full commercial rates and I couldn’t help but reflect on the difference in philosophy. That said, us coaches will be going over to start-up Longhoughton Galaxy next year! Our girls teams have been a fantastic success and this season we are very proud to be hosting the Rural Fives Girls League at Lindisfarne Middle School on Saturdays. We have one U-14 and two U-12 teams playing in the league under the management of parents Nicky Pennington and Carolyn Cass who’ve really taken to the role of ‘Mrs’ Ron Manager and have even almost mastered putting the plastic goals up! Many thanks also to all the parents who are helping to set-up and tear down and even referee the odd game; it all contributes to making the Girls League a great success. Meanwhile, thanks to Nighean and Kerby who continue to coach the girls at training. On 23 September, 28 girls and 7 ladies enjoyed the Clubs first Newcastle Utd match day experience of the Season, enjoying training at the NUFC training ground at Benton followed by the West Ham match. As is custom on these occasions, the girls sat right next to the Hammers fans and certainly learnt a few new words and phrases at the ‘University of Life’. Certainly, I understand that it even made Sally Wood blush whilst many of the girls went home to ask awkward questions of their dads! You’ll all be delighted to know that we have booked 2 days out for the U-10 to U-15 boys for March and April. In addition, the U8s will undertake a days training and stadium tour sometime later this season. Great stuff and it was nice for me to get a mention in the programme as ‘a long term friend of the Club’, if only because in organising the trips, I help pay their wages. Lastly, I will mention that the Longhoughton Village Development Trust (under the Chairmanship of our very own Rod Munday) is making solid progress on the project to build a floodlit, 60x40 astro-turf pitch with associated changing rooms. There have been a number of key meetings for the committee over recent weeks and I would like to highlight the vital role played by Rod alongside committee members (and Parish Councillors) Donna Freeman and Stephen Marker in overcoming significant hurdles to move the project forward. The proposed site has now been agreed with Northumberland Estates and is in the field between Johnson House and the railway line. The exciting plan is to have a 7 a-side floodlit 3G astro-turf pitch, a Club house with changing rooms, showers and a kitchen, a car park and possibly 2 grass 11 a-side pitches. Today, I attended another highly productive meeting with Donna, Stephen and Rod and came away feeling extremely positive that the Trust can succeed in developing a first-class football facility which would provide be a fitting base for our superb Club. Wish them luck! Finally, good luck to all our teams, and, as always, BELIEVE!