League Champions 2008 & Radio City Interview
Congratulations go to a fantastic performance by the Upton FC Under 11 team who won their league in the 2007/08 season. Well done everyone, a great achievement.
The team were featured on Radio City recently. Click on the following link to hear the full audio.
Team Trials for 2008/09
The current Under 11 team – Under 12s for 2008/09 – will be holding player trials to recruit players for the forthcoming 2008/09 season. Eligible players will be going into Year 7 in Sept 2008.
As a championship winning team, the team are looking for exceptional players to improve the squad, though everyone is welcome to try out. The trials will run from May 10th through to early July when squad selection will be made.
All interested players should contact Stephen Turk on 07977 720071 for further details.
Club Secretary’s End of Season Report 2008/09
Secretary’s Report 2008/2009
As many of you are aware this is our 15th year as a football club. In that time many changes have been made to the game of football, notably the introduction of Charter Standards, mini soccer and girls’ football. At Upton F.C. we have embraced all the changes and initiative and are a much better club for it.
The latest campaign that is now throughout the whole of the game is the ‘Respect campaign’. Sadly the introduction of such a campaign is as a result of rather disturbing facts, including:
98% of Referees have been verbally abused
27% of referees have been physically abused
1 in 3 games has no qualified Referee
846 grassroots games abandoned on 07/08
The Respect campaign focuses on four main areas for improvement:
Introduction of Respect Codes of Conduct – UFC already have these in place and are issued at Registration stage
Designated Spectators Area – UFC have purchased enough sets to cover all teams and mini soccer games are played with barriers in place
Captain Taking Responsibility – Upton F.C. Captains are encouraged at all levels to promote good behaviour and respect
Referees to manage the Game – Upton coaches and players assist Referees to use step approach to indiscipline, and coaches will self-discipline players who disrespect the Referee.
Please support us as we try and be a part of improving standards of behaviour across the game we all love. Winning is important but not the only factor in player development and enjoyment of this great game.
Enjoy the day,
Steve Kell
Club Secretary
Open Age (Sunday) End of Season Report 2008/09
Sunday Open Age Team Season Report
It has been a long hard season for myself and Cliff trying to field a full side on a regular basis.
We started the season with 11 players on the pitch and six substitutes (of course only five could be named) the kind of turn out managers dream of but unfortunately we only achieved that level of attendance on 3 or 4 occasions the rest of the season.
However I am pleased to thank the hardcore of players who make up the back bone of the team for the commitment to Upton FC, and it because of them we are prepared to try again next season.
We suffered some heavy defeats when not fielding 11 players but on the good side we reached the Capitol Cup quarter finals, drew some league games and acquitted ourselves well when we had a full team..
A number of former Youth players and some of last season’s side have been training since early May so it looks like an exciting prospect for 2009 /2010.
Thanks to Dave Worth and family for their continued support and arranging the after match lunches for the last three seasons. It is much appreciated by all the players and myself. As it is so important to socialise after games to bond new and old players together.
Thanks to everyone at Upton FC and lets have a great season 2009 /2010
Tony & Cliff.
Youth Team End of Season Report 2008/09
Youth Team Season Report
The youth team started with trials early in June, with some players now out of contact we had to rebuild the squad. As some players did not resign word got around and new players to the club were signed.
The season started in mid August with Steve Morris and myself in charge. Our first game was against Neston Youth and with many players still on holiday we managed a 2-0 win, both goals coming from Dom Griffiths plus a great debut from Jack Hughes in goal.
Our second game was against Oxton Villa with some players still on holiday or picking mushrooms we only managed to field 10 players, luckily so did the opposition. This game was so memorable for Steve and myself for the fact we created so many chances but still managed to lose 1-0. Oxton Villas goal coming from a former player.
It was the end of August when we were able to field a full squad in a game against Saints which we won 4-1. Then seven days later losing 7-1 to the same team. Our consolation goal coming from Liam Pitt.
The season continued the same way winning games easily only to lose the return game. Over Christmas we had a six week lay off due to the weather and free weeks. But whatever the weather Shaun always had a good tan!
In January we had to make some new signings due to losing our captain after his wrist operation and Danny Chamneys’ ankle injury. Tim Wilson took over the captains job and led by example.
In cup competitions we had no success losing 5-1 to a very physical Ashville in the Wirral Cup, 3-1 to Chester Nomads in the League Cup and 4-2 to F.C. Victoria in the Capital Cup. In this game our goalkeeper Jack scored with a goal kick, but we missed a hat full of chances, not least Ross who one lad said couldn’t finish a roast dinner.
To sum up our season I would say we were capable of beating any team in the league but at times missed too many chances. We finished the season with 11 wins, 1 draw and 11 defeats.
Finally, I would like to thank the lads for their commitment and Steve Morris for being my right hand man over the last three years.
I look forward to next season with the youth and best of luck to the lads who are leaving due to old age.
Bill.
Under 16s End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 16s Season Report
Entering my last season with Upton Under 16s the aim was to build on a sound foundation of players from the under 15s and attempt to produce a strong team.
Early in the season we had a number of fixtures against the stronger teams in the league and although we were competing well we lost three matches. We signed new players adding to the quality of the team. This built the confidence of the squad and we started to put a run of wins together. We were high in the league and the lads were enjoying their matches. Late in the season we slipped up a little and lost a couple of matches we would have expected to win.
In cup competitions we were knocked out of the first round of the Wirral cup against Eastham Rangers but the team gave an excellent account of themselves losing 2-0 away. The team had more success in the Knockout cup reaching the semi final. We played Greenleas, the eventual league winners, and found ourselves 3-0 down in the second half. The lads then made an excellent effort and got back to 3-2 but time was against us unfortunately and we were knocked out.
The team finished fourth in the league which is our highest league position. I am very proud of the squad and would like to thank the lads for their efforts. I wish all the players every success in the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Assistant Manager, Vic Wilson, for his help over the last few seasons.
My thanks also go to Jackie Dunn and John Wilkinson for their assistance with subs collection and to my wife Michelle for her support.
My thanks also go to the committee for their support and giving myself the opportunity to be involved with Upton FC.
Simon Harrison
Upton Under 16 Manager
Under 15s End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 15s Season Report
This season the lads were looking to see if they could improve on last years fourth placed finish, a real challenge as the under 15s age group has a lot of quality teams playing in it. We got off to a great start with 6 wins and one draw in the league and a good run in the Cheshire Cup was ended in a close game by a strong Staylybridge Celtic side.
The beginning of November saw the great British weather play its part in our season as week after week phone calls were made to say yet again the game was called off, this continued throughout the winter months. Fortunately the lads were able to make good use of the all weather facility’s at Upton Convent were we trained during the winter.
It was as late as February before the lads finally got back to playing games, and it was great to see the good league form continue as we beat Parkfield four nil. The rest of February was to be a big test as we played the top teams in the league, we knew if we could pick up enough points it would give us a great chance of challenging for the league. Unfortunately we had two points deducted against Saints due to the fact that we could not field a full team.
Then came the two big games we travelled to the Glen to play second placed Glenavon only to lose 1-0 in a game that could have gone either way. Our next big game was against top of the table Greenleas who were the only team in the league with an unbeaten record, but the lads put in a brilliant performance and deservedly won the game 2-1.
The lads continued to pick up points including a brilliant win against Glenavon which left us with a great chance of winning the league. and with only three games to go we knew three wins would see us finish top of the table. Sadly the games were during the Easter holidays and we were left desperately short of players. A defeat against Greenleas saw them secure the title, we then had to play Future with only nine men and lost 2-1.
In the final league game of the season we played 2nd placed New Brighton saints needing a win to finish in second place, the lads battled brilliantly and were 2-1 up only for saints to score in the fourth minute of injury time.
But the season was far from over as we had a semi final four days later against Future a nightmare start resulted in the lads trailing 2-0 in the first 20 minutes. The lads started a lot better in the second half and managed to pull a goal back, but as we pushed forward in an attempt to get back in the game we left ourselves short at the back and Future scored again, the goal seemed to break the lads spirit and we ended up losing the game 5-2.
Despite the disappointing end to the season the lads should take heart in the fact that they have proved they can challenge at the top of the table, and hopefully will use this experience next season to win a trophy there hard work deserves.
I would like to finish by thanking all the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters for your brilliant support during the season, with special thanks to Derek and Paul for standing in when I had work commitments. Also thanks to Derek for attending the monthly meetings and standing in on numerous occasions as referee.
A final thanks must go to all the lads for the hard work they have put in during the season it has been a pleasure to coach you all.
Paul, Derek & Paul C
Under 13s End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 13s Season Report
The season started optimistically, flattening the teams traditionally at the lower end of the table with ease & putting up a creditable fight against the show offs at the top. We had a good squad, not quite Fergie’s breadth & depth but still, skilled players shivering on the side lines & everyone comfortable in their positions.
Games then became few & far between as the Upton pitch regularly surrendered to downpours & we lost a bit of rhythm. Injuries followed & a few players fell by the wayside, victims of teenage apathy.
But still morale was good until we were dealt the bitter blow that Alan Jones, our immensely popular manager throughout our Upton careers, was emigrating to New Zealand & taking one of our top strikers, Ben with him. There’s no doubt some of the heart of the team went with them.
Graeme took over & all credit to him, kept us together, although, there was a bit of muttering about the changes he made to our positions (must get my parents to move on now). Inevitably, we missed Alan’s banter during matches & only had flashes of our former confidence in the games beyond Easter until we settled into Graeme’s quieter approach by the end of the Season.
We finished 5th in the League, having won 14, drawn 2 & lost 8. Points-wise we were a fair distance behind the top 4, but still eligible for Europe & other Merseyside teams have been happy with that this year, so not bad.
A huge thanks to Alan-who can’t be with us today & no the club wouldn’t shell out on a video link from New Zealand, & to Graham & Ash, our new trainer, for taking us on.
And it won’t stop here! Ash looks set to shake us up a bit & work on our fitness & with Olympic Sharks folding, we could squeeze into the top 4 next Season.
Tim Hughes
Team Captain
Under 14s Girls End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 14s Girls Season Report
This last season has seen the continued development and growth of a group of girls; many of whom have been with the club for more than five years now.
After a long summer break we started the season with great enthusiasm. The weeks leading up to Christmas saw a run of form and show of ability which indicated that the team was more than capable of ‘Out playing’ all within the league.
Inspired performances from our attacking players combined with dependable strength from defence, as well as our long awaited and confident keeper paid off and we went on to beat a number of the front runners and we made a steady climb up the table.
Unfortunately the New Year brought a run of what can only be described as nothing other than bad luck. Anyone watching would testify that the team played some great football, but the goals eluded them.
A refection of the Team’s professionalism and maturity was the receipt of the FA Fair Play Award 2008, an award that shows how well they handle the frustration of a loss when a win was deserved, as well as how well they can enjoy a victory without gloating.
Well done girls.
Next season we look forward to continuing to work towards the position in the league that this team deserves so much.
Carl Mumford
Under 11s End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 11s Season Report
With us this season stepping up to 11 a side I felt that during pre- season it would be sensible and beneficial to play as many friendly games as possible.
In all we played approximately 11 games and it’s fair to say we did not do too well, so going into the first game of the season I was a little bit worried about how we may do.
We won the game 6-2 and from there went on an unbeaten 11 game run winning all 11 games, finally finishing the season PLAYED 24, WON 20 DREW 1 LOST 3 SCORING 103 GOALS AND CONCEEDING 25. This was the second best record in the league finishing runners up to Greenleas, also we reached the Challenge Cup final but were beaten on the day by Glenavon.
These lads have given everything this season and more, they have performed well above all our expectations and their attitude towards each game and training has been excellent, with some of the performances absolutely outstanding.
We fully deserved our standing in the league and on another day we would of won the cup, so on behalf of parents, grand parents, Upton Football Club and ourselves the management team thank you very much for a very successful season and we look forward to working with you all next season, were I feel sure we can go one step further and win a trophy you so much deserve.
Best Regards
Ken, Chris & Chris.
Under 12s Girls End of Season Report 2008/09
Under 12s Girls Season Report
The loss of a couple of players pre-season also meant we also lost my intended co-manager, which has made things much more difficult for us all this year.
We had a false start to the season, when the opposition failed to turn up. When we played our first game the following week, the team had not played or trained together at all. Against an experienced Greenleas Celtic, a 2-1 defeat was a good result.
The team has gone on to finish a highly creditable 5th out of 15 teams that completed the season. It is an old football cliché that the league table doesn’t lie, and the fact that we couldn’t take a point off the top three, shared wins with the teams either side of us and won all the games against the rest, shows the truth of that.
Memorable moments included a great comeback from 2-0 down to Wirral Ladies at half time to win 3-2 with the last attack of the game; a hard fought 1-0 win against Irby; and the first half of our last game against runaway league winners Wirral Hawks, when we dominated the play with some of our best football of the season.
Even when not at our best, we managed to keep on scoring and winning, and it was good to see the goals spread between a wide number of players, 5 players scoring 13 or more goals each.
Whatever the result of our final against Wallasey Wanderers, the team can be proud of its achievements in reaching the final, and of the season overall.
My thanks to the Committee members; to all parents, grandparents, relatives and friends who have helped out and supported the team; to Steve Kell and Steve Turk for each taking a training session; to Helen Johns for taking the team when I was not available; to Paula Croft for helping out at training and collecting subs; and to Steve Johnson, from the under 10s, who has put himself out time and again to help.
Most of all, I thank all the team members – Aira, Amy, Anna, Brittany, Georgia, Isabel, Jodie, Leah, Louise, Molly, Rebecca and Sarah. This has not been the most straightforward year at times, and I think we can all learn from it. However, I hope everyone has enjoyed their football and I wish to place on record my appreciation for the efforts of all team members, and for the football they have played over the year.
Brian.
