Woodford Youth Football Club

good luck to Rob and Andy and the boys tomorrow in the semi u must win coz if we win as well Rob has promised me a free bar after lol

Oooh, it's like the old days on this guestbook again, dontcha love a debate? Anyway..... just a reminder to everyone, that your Tour balances are due on Saturday (13th).  Once again we have in excess of 200 people attending so PLEEEAASSEEE get your money in as requested and make the massive admin process a lot less hassle.  Thanks everyone., Right,  I'm off to catch Hetty Wainthrop Investigates....

I watched the game standing about 10mtrs from the main group of Woodford parents and exchanged good hearted comments with some of them before, during and after the game.

Whilst I am not going to enter into sanctimonious debate about the state of youth football, I am concerned that the over exuberance of a 13 year old boy who had just scored a good goal in a cup semi final is being portrayed as a symbol of such poor behaviour that it requires some form of sanction.

If we are talking about the behaviour of supporters I would throw this into the hat -

As the referee blew the half time whistle the ball came quickly to the Hill goalscorer who flipped it up and juggled it twice.

I heard a loud  [ and fairly aggressive ] voice come from the Woodford supporters saying " give it back  and get off number 8 -thats enough" -obviously someone unhappy with the score.

As you say, there are  truly bad examples of both parents and players behaviour on display at some games  - Sundays game was played in a good spirit by the players which seems at odds with the level and nature of parental comment.

There would be a lot of parents of 13 year old boys who would be very happy if the only problems they had with their son were alledged goading of people at a youth football match.

I guess if I were so easily offended to the degree which you have said by this I would sit indoors and watch Hetty Wainthrop Investigates instead of attending competitive sport.

Will be sending a large bag of sugar to sweeten your grapes.

Gary - I'm pleased you responded. I agree with you 100% - we were definitely watching 2 different games on Sunday! You've missed my point so perhaps I need to make it more clearly. Firstly, my message wasn't a frothy-mouthed rant - this isn't about 'sour grapes' or anything like that - it's much more important. Sunday bucked the trend in my experiences of your team and that's why I was disappointed enough to write what I did - and I'm by no means a guestbook regular. You are wide of the mark in tossing random 'player retirement because of bad parenting' stats at me too - that really isn't the issue. There is very little to be gained in being myopic about Sunday's game - I'm a realist, I know that the average 13 year old boy is no angel - my own son very much included! I don't want to churn over the events of Sunday but let's base this chat in reality. A player (having taken a very well struck goal it must be said) ran the length of the opposition parents with a hand cupped around one ear. Having not been admonished for that, a few more players joined him in the same celebration after the 2nd goal. I genuinely think that could have turned very sour with a different set of supporters. I didn't originally mention the abuse hurled by one of your parents towards our back 4 and as far as back chatting the ref goes - I believe one of your players was booked for it? As I said, 13 year olds aren't angels.

The bigger picture is that youth football does get a very bad press - mostly aimed at the parents. I have seen parents behave really badly - but I've also seen coaches and children doing things I wish I hadn't. But too many people don't say anything. They don't open their mouths when they witness inappropriate behaviour. It's only by sensibly debating incidents like this that we can start to repair youth football's battered image. Failing to face the facts or trying to post-rationalise a kid's poor behaviour won't help that situation. You and I can't legislate for a kid doing things like that in the heat of a game any more than we can unpick the mind of an adult shouting and swearing at children from the sideline. But the fact is that as responsible parents and coaches every time we condone this type of activity we are allowing the bar of acceptable behaviour to get lower and lower. As adults we have to take responsibility and control and demand half decent standards from the kids and the people who attend the matches around us - don't we? The "they see it on TV" line is the ultimate cop-out I'm afraid. Getting things back into perspective - what I saw on Sunday was a long way from the worst incidents I've seen in kids football. But, if by opening my big gob, I've made you think that perhaps next time you might object to some inappropriate celebrations, or have a quiet word with an 'over enthusiastic' parent, then I'm pleased.

I'd welcome the chance to talk to you offline about this - as long as we can both agree to acknowledge the facts or it will be a waste of time. In any case, I wish you the best of luck in the final.

Buckhurst Hill V Woodford u13a

Gary Fuller Assistant Manager:

After a well fought game yesterday and played in great spirit (or so I thought) I shook hands with Rob and Andy and wished them the best for the rest of the season as they did us. I was always taught if you can’t say anything good or positive then don’t say anything at all, especially when its YOUTH football, but apparently this is not the case with some of the Woodford parents, please note this is about young lads playing football, enjoying it, getting better and playing with their mates. Comments regarding players goading Woodford parents, I suggest if you don’t like a player running over to his dad which was on your side of the field celebrating then don’t come to football it’s not for you, I suggest that if you have a problem with this write to the FA as (where do they get it from, we don’t teach celebrations at BH although we have ENOUGH) they see it every premier game played by professional players earning 170K a year. Woodford parent comment in regard to BH arguing with every referee decision, I can only presume you must have been watching the game behind you it certainly wasn’t the one I was watching and regarding BH coaches, I can only presume this is sour grapes. We lost to a good Woodford side at the end of last season which stopped us winning the league did we complain about Woodford players of parents celebrating NO, did we shake hands and wish them the best YES. I could go on but won’t lastly I will not be making any further comments on the guest book (Rob has my number or email should any of you wish to discuss it further) as it’s not about our opinions of how we see the game it’s about the boys playing good football, boys from both teams go to the same schools end up playing with each other in school football and district and they even have some banter with each other up on face book, at the end of the day it about them enjoying it, if there not they shouldn’t play (DID YOU KNOW 40% OF BOYS STOP PLAYING BECAUSE OF THERE PARENTS) now there’s a thought. Still wishing Woodford good luck in the semi final next Sunday and echo premier league.

Talking of match reports!!!!!!!!!!!

I think not mate - your job is safe. My soapbox has been put away again now.

Alan u13s A,

well done mate on having the courage to say what we were all thinking...also taking the time out to say it.

I see a future for you in match reporting!!

see you Saturday, 

Jason.

TO UNDER 13B,  boys not so good football yesterday, not one of the best yous can play, i know you boys can do better than that, where is the fire on your bellys for the game? come one heads up and show us the good football yous can play.lets do it

Would just like to echo Alan's comments (below).  A fantastic game spoilt only by the behaviour of a number of opposition players.  That should not cloud the brilliant display of spirit from what I believe are a very special TEAM of players.  Adversity only seems to inspire this disciplined bunch of lads.  Only one recognised defender amongst them yesterday, but still managed to take the game to Hill for large parts of the fixture.  Also a quick mention for Senrab, who took Interwood to extra time in the other County semi, and lost by a single goal.  I think yesterday illustrates the continued strength of the Echo league versus the supposed superiority of other Leagues at these older age groups.  Well done to our boys, you never cease to make we parents proud!

Essex County Cup semi-final under 13s. Woodford A 1 - Buckhurst Hill A 2. Great effort boys with only 11 men - real determination on show yesterday. Disappointed with the behaviour of the Buckhurst Hill players. Always had BH down as one of the fairer teams we come up against but with all the goading of the Woodford parents and the arguing against every single decision – I think I was wrong. I don't mind being the target of the FA's Respect campaign as a parent but surely the message needs to get through to the players and so called 'coaches' too - doesn't it?? Loads of positives: David Olubunmi – proving that you don't have to be a snarling, petulent bully to be a great footballer. Pierce Arbiso – manfully limping through most of the second half but refusing to give in. Our parents – no reaction to provocation (note of warning to BH: that might not be the case for every group of parents who come up against your style of celebrations!). Overall disappointment but proud of the boys spirit and behaviour. Pretty content to be on the losing side this morning.

wkd result today boys keep the fire going .

Well done Woodford u11s A great result today and looking unstoppable  and well done u11s B too.

well done today boys wiked display 8-1 against euro dagnham-sent shock waves all over the league 1 point away from top spot- bring on cowley,, come on the foxes

Well done today boys on a battling performance a well deserved win and a clean sheet without our goalie thanks to tijana for going in goal. and wasnt it great to have a fair ref  

just like to say well done boys for a good win against grays today lets keep it up and smash harold hill saturday!!!!!

GOALKEEPER COACHING

for more info check out www.griffingoalkeepingacademy.com   or call 07521 440 466

Like a BRIDGE over troubled water, bet that felt good Wayne

Pauline says...

Hi George, Scott has sent me report, not had time to post it yet, will do tomorrow x

Hi George, Scott has sent me report, not had time to post it yet, will do tomorrow x

scott when u doing the match report come on u woodford boys lol

Congratulations to all u11a  players on reaching  the Doris Barker  cup final will be a great day and special thanks to Scott and Andy for helping to get us there.

well done INDER, your are great. good luck. tin and mar