Woodford Youth Football Club

It all began on a cold November morning back in 2004.  Club Founder Robert Fox arranged a training session for a few local boys with a view to starting an Under 8's team in which his son could play.  Four boys turned up that day.

However, a few weeks later and the team was fully assembled.  Friendly fixtures were arranged and the first Foxes team, Woodford Youth Under 8's, were off and running.

Over the following months a number of other teams were added to the Woodford ranks and Woodford Youth F.C. made an application to join the highly respected Echo Junior Football League for the 2005/06 season, along with affiliation to the Essex County F.A.  All teams continued to paricipate in a programme of friendly fixtures in preparation for the new season.

Keen to raise Woodford's profile, the Club hosted it's first Summer Tournament.  Held at Ashtons Playing Fields, Woodford Bridge, glorious sunshine greeted the event and a large number of local teams attended.  The local press were invited to cover the event, which was a great success all round. 

Having been accepted into the Echo League, all seven Woodford teams embarked on their first competitive League and Cup fixtures.  All home games were played at Fairlop Primary Shool, Hainault.

A great season ensued.  Promotions were won by the Under 7's, Under 9's C and Under 10's.  Every team performed extremely well, including the original Foxes team (competing in the second of five divisions) who finished 4th in their division.  No relegations.

The second annual Woodford Youth Summer Tournament, held over 2 days this season, was played out in torrential rain!  However, teams turned out in force, with every competitor giving it their all, undeterred by the awful weather. 

There was much success enjoyed by a number of Woodford teams competing in local Summer Tournaments, with plenty of silverware making it's way back to the Den.

The Foxes debut season saw the Club embark on it's first ever Tour.  Over 270 players, families and friends descended upon Great Yarmouth.  The trip turned out to be an unbelievable weekend, packed with excitement, fun and superb football.  Having enetered four age groups into the Great Yarmouth Soccer Challenge, the Foxes found themselves in three of the four possible finals.  With the orange of Woodford dominating the pitch side, fans found themselves moving from pitch to pitch, Final to Final to watch the boys and girls in orange win every one of their Finals, the Under 7's, the Under 8's A, and the Under 10's.  The pitches were a sea of orange, jubilant supporters everywhere.  Ray Clemence was on hand to present the players with thier trophies at a wonderful Awards Ceremony that evening.  The venue was packed to the rafters with proud parents, friends and families, everyone of them in full voice. The Mighty Orange Army was born!

The season was rounded off with a wonderful celebration of the players, coaches and supporters achievements, at the Club's Presentation Evening held at Shenola Banqueting Hall.  A memorable evening for all who attended.

With the Club now growing rapidly, a new venue had to be found to accommodate Woodford's teams, now 12 in number.  So the Foxes moved to William Torbitt Primary School in Newbury Park.

Having made such a promising League debut in the previous season, the Club hoped to build upon that success.  With persistant hard work, the boys and girls in orange yet again exceeded expectations.

Hard earned promotions were won by the Under 7's A, Under 8's A, Under 9's B, Under 9's C, Under 10's C and Under 11's.  The original Foxes team, now the Under 10's A, also won their division to gain promotion to the top flight, the Echo Premiership.  No relegations.

A jam packed Woodford Youth Summer Tournment proved to be another highlight in the Foxes calendar, once again attended by a large number of local Clubs.

Woodford teams were out in force competing in Summer Tournaments across the region, once again enjoying great success.

This season also saw much excitement at the Foxes Den as we had our first taste of Cup Finals.  The Under 11's ran out winners in the League Cup Final, hosted at Aveley Stadium.  Once again the Mighty Orange Army were out in force to support Frank and the boys, who brought home the silverware following a wonderful team performance.  The Under 9's A won a place in the Challenge Cup Final, a competition which involves over 60 teams.  The boys put an awesome perfomance against Premiership opposition, narrowly losing 2-1 in a nailbiting match. 

The annual Foxes on Tour event this time to Caistor, was enjoyed by over 300 people, who watched as the Under 9's A and Under 10's C came away with Runners-Up medals, presented by 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst.

Presentation Evening this season was held over two nights. With much to reward, the players, coaches and supporters of Woodford enjoyed two nights of noisy celebrations!

This season marked continued success at the Foxes Den.  The introduction of the Under 6's Training Squad gave the youngest Foxes the opportunity to play in fun, friendly fixtures.

The Club fielded 18 teams, plus the Under 6's Training Squad, who played in a series of fun, friendly fixtures.  Four teams competed at the top level, playing in the top groups/divisions of the Echo League. 

We saw increasing numbers of Woodford players, across all age groups, attend either Academy trials or training.  Former U11's A players, Ryan Green and Michael Morris were signed at the start of this season by Leyton Orient and Southend United U11's respectively.  U10's B player Darren Foxley was signed by West Ham United.

Promotions once again came the way of the Under 7's B, Under 8's B, Under 9's B, Under 10's A, Under 10's B and Under 12's.  No relegations. 

Woodford were once again well represented in League Cup Finals.  Frank and the Under 12's, unbeaten in the League, came away with Runners-Up medals in a hard fought affair.  The Under 11's C, also unbeaten in the league, narrowly lost an action packed Final. 

The Woodford Youth F.C. Summer Tournament was expanded this season, to two weekends of footy fun.  Lots of old friends competed, alongside a number of teams from further afield, this time round.  The competition was packed with top quality teams, producing some wonderful football across every age group.

Outstanding performances and results from the vast number of Woodford teams who particpated in Summer Tournaments this season, again throughout the age groups.  Particularly original Foxes team, now the Under 11's A, keeping their summer tradition of numerous Tournament wins, matched by the Under 9's A.

The outstanding highlight of the season was this years Foxes On Tour extravaganza.  The Mighty Orange Army, around 260 in number, arrived at Pontins Pakefield, Suffolk on May Bank holiday weekend.  We were greeted by fantastic staff at a teriffic venue and were served great food. And the sun was shining! No-one could have anticipated the weekend we were about to have!  Six age groups were entered by Woodford.  By the end of the second day there was a Woodford team in every possible Final.  Once again the venue was dominated by Orange supporters, cheering on the boys and girls of Woodford.  Wonderful performances by every Woodford team saw the Club end the day with a haul of magnificent Winners trophies, won by the Under 7's, the Under 8's A, the Under 11's A and the Under 12's.  Runners-Up medals went to the Under 9's A and the Under 10's D.  This wonderful achievement was capped off at a magnificent Awards Ceremony.  Paul Merson ex-Arsenal and England player was presenting the Awards and really added to the great experience.

Following another memorable season in the Club's short history, the Presentation Evenings were going to be real celebrations.  And so it proved.  Held over three nights, at Elmbridge Sports Club, Hainualt, the players, managers and coaches, volunteers and fans were recognised for their hard work, support and dedication to Woodford Youth Football Club. 

Woodford Youth F.C. will be represented in the top group/premier divisions by the Under 8's A, Under 9's A, Under 10's A, Under 11's A and Under 12's.  A tough season ahead, but with continued hard work in training and willingness to learn and progress, the boys and girls in orange will rise to the challenge.  The newly formed Under 10's D have developed a great spirit throughout their summer fixtures, with the Under 10's B and C adding to their ranks and raring to go!

Former Woodford Youth player, Harry Norman, was signed by Leyton Orient F.C. at the start of the season.

We welcome this season's newcomers to the Den and hope all our players continue to work hard and enjoy their football.  We also hope parents, friends and family continue to support the players in their efforts to learn how to play 'The Beautiful Game'!