17th May 2009

 

The U9 PJAL season is now behind us and we are into ‘tournament’ time. A quick reflection of our U9 season shows another great league placing in finishing second but a fantastic all round achievement in winning the U9 KO cup.

 

The cup win was a great result for the team and the club, I think the boys have already moved onto a ‘new level’ of expectation after the result and it showed in our first tournament. On the club front, the U9 result showed that the team and the junior section is moving in the right direction and my thanks go to the junior committee for all the ‘behind the scenes’ work that they do.

 

We have already played in the Deeping tournament where the boys were unlucky to be beaten semi finalists having won their qualifying group without conceding a goal.

 

Next up is Bourne 23rd May and Wisbech St Mary 13th June where we will hopefully continue our good form. 

 

I am busy preparing for the U10 season and still looking for another striker to build up the squad.  I welcome Jacob Dorward who has joined the ‘Blues’ and I am hoping to have a squad of 10 players for next season’s assault on the league and cup!!

 

After our year long sabbatical to Langtoft, we as U10s will return to Outgang Rd for our games next season and I am eagerly awaiting news of the U10 league and will let you all know next season’s opponents as soon as I am aware.

 

Again, my thanks to all for last season and lets hope for another great one at U10, any problems, queries or issues, feel free to either e-mail or phone on the contacts provided below.

 

Nige Smith

U9 Blues Manager

 

07944 097105

nigel@nigelsmith.fsnet.co.uk

 

*******************************************

 

25th January 2009

 

Firstly, I’d like to wish Tim and his family the best of luck in their new venture and I’m sure they’ll soon forget about freezing cold Saturday mornings in the UK. 

 

Since taking over the team we’ve had a great run of results, as it stands at the moment, we are still in with a chance in the league and in our first season of cup football have reached the semi-final stage and are looking forward to hearing the results of the draw. 

 

Whatever happens in the remainder of our matches, the boys have been superb this year, they all seem to enjoy their football and each others company.

 

I am already preparing for the summer tournaments and for next season at under 10.  I’ll be looking to increase our current squad and in particular would like a proven striker with previous league experience to add to the great team already in place.  Anyone who is interested in joining a FA charter standard approved club with excellent development potential and teams from under 7 through to non-league (UCL) football, should not hesitate to contact me on 07944 097105 or email me on nigel@nigelsmith.fsnet.co.uk

 

Nige Smith

Under 9 Blues Manager

 

*******************************************

 

 

 

It is with great sadness I have to record my resignation from DRFC U9 Blue though I take some comfort from Roy Keane announcing his resignation from Sunderland on the same day. It is tempting to dwell amongst the memories of the “greats” that have gone before: Ramsey, Shankley, Paisley, Clough, Barnes (?). OK, maybe not.

 

With my family I’m going to spend a few years in the United Arab Emirates, 40 degree heat & no income tax. They’re football mad out there too so who knows; I could be back with a touring side soon.

 

The good news for DRFC is that Nige Smith has taken on the challenge & is already leading the team in the remainder of the league season & cup run. His first game in charge saw an impressive 5-1 away win at Thorney and is evidence of the fantastic potential that exists in the side.

 

Obviously my thanks go to the DRFC committee for their support, the parents & spectators that lined the pitch week after week & most of all the players for their undying enthusiasm over the last 3 seasons. Remember it all started with the soccer schools at Outgang Road leading to the U7’s at the Peterborough Embankment Tournaments, last years U8 campaign that saw us finishing runners up & now, sitting third in the league & in the last 8 of the cup I can repeat the cliché ; “everything to play for”.

 

I wish everyone associated with the side the best of luck & I promise I’ll be watching progress via the website.

 

Tim Barnes

8 December 2008

 

 

 

 

8 November 2008 and we are already at the mid-point of our season. Today saw a superb display of close passing in difficult conditions that left our opponents with little chance of containing us. More crucially it saw us gain ground both in points & in goal difference on both our main rivals for the title. As it now stands we’re just a point off the top & we entertain the current league leaders at Langtoft in the New Year.

 

We have worked hard throughout to ensure that we have a team rather than a bunch of individual stars & in this latest game that strength really showed, that said there is no room for complacency as we have struggled unnecessarily in a couple of games & if we are to make that final step to the title this year we cannot afford to slip-up.

 

This weekend see’s the return of the cup; we have a home fixture against Glinton. This will be our first meeting in the 3 years we have been running the side. Should we succeed that will put us in the last 8 so as the cliché goes “…everything to play for”.

 

We have enjoyed some good media coverage this season with the continued efforts of the Smith family in submitting match reports and the support of both the Stamford Mercury & Peterborough Evening Telegraph in publishing them. Our game away at Yaxley was selected as a demonstration game for the launch of the FA Respect Initiative in mini soccer and that too secured wide photographic coverage (as well as 3 well-earned points). The home page of the PJAL shows one such photograph and it is a campaign we fully support.

 

Home games are at Langtoft, 10.30am kick off’s, there is a map contained within this section of the website together with a schedule of forthcoming fixtures so please come down & support us through the second half of our season.

 

Tim Barnes

U9 Team Manager

 

 

 

 

11 August 2008 and looking forward to the new season at Under 9 level. The PJAL zones have been announced & we can look forward to renewing some old rivalries as well as some new encounters.

 

We had a good go at the league last season, falling just short in the last two games which were both drawn & so celebrated runners-up status at the awards evening held at the Cresset.

 

Pre-season training has recommenced & the squad has grown slightly to reflect the increased numbers on the pitch & the additional length of each game.

 

Our home games will be staged at the sports pitches in Langtoft this season & the fixtures will be posted on this website as well as the PJAL site so come along & support us in the new campaign.

 

Tim Barnes

U9 Blue Team Manager

 

 

 

Back again.....

 

23 January 2008 and we're into the tail end of the season. The record so far is won 8 lost 2, sitting second in the league, 2 points behind the leaders with a game in hand so everything to play for.

 

Without taking our eye's off the job in hand we must now look to the summer tournaments, these are great fun & offer the chance to play new opposition, details of the tournaments on offer will be posted in the news section shortly.

 

Summer soccer schools will also be arranged at the club for most junior ages. All readers whether current members and players, or not, are encouraged to attend. Again details will be posted in the junior section of the website.

 

I would like to repeat or thanks to Mitie Scotgate who generously sponsored our kit, The Stamford Mercury who publish our match reports and all parents & spectators for the support given through the season. We have a presentation evening scheduled for 15 March at the Club, all players & their families / friends are invited to attend

 

Now let us focus on those four remaining games; Parkway Eagles (H), Bourne Clarets (A), Abbey Athletic (H) & Thorney Colts (H)

 

Tim Barnes

U8 Blues Team Manager

 

 

 

Welcome to the Under 8's Blue page;

 

The team evolved from the successful summer schools ran by Jason Chatham in 2006 and this in turn led to an extremely enjoyable & successful series of tournaments at Peterborough Embankment,

 

Needless to say Jason "persuaded" me to take the team forward & we have now formed a nucleaus of 7 great players. ( I haven't yet got parental permission to name them on the web site)

 

On top of our successes at the Embankment we have now competed at the Yaxley Tournament as U7's & most recently at the Eye Tournament in our first turn-out as U8's. In this tounament we played some great football & secured 3 wins, 2 draws & 2 defeats (only by single goals on both occasions). Sadly we missed the semi's by 1 point but there is plently of promise in the team & I feel sure we'll have a good season.

 

So to enjoy some good football get yourselves to Outgang Road for 10.30 KO's starting 15 September.

 

Please look out for our match reports as & when we play & please also let me have feedback on our website contributions, good or bad, as I'm new to this. For me the ball is the wrong shape for a start!

 

Have a great season everyone....

 

Tim Barnes

Under 8's Blue