Another successful season for our football section, having gained ‘Charter Standard’ last year we are now in a position where all of our coaches are qualified and this has paid dividends on the field where we ran teams at under 7, two teams at under 8, under 9 and under 10. Our under 7 and 8 teams play non-competitive football, our under 9 side finished 4th in their league and the under 10 team won their league and were presented with their trophies by ex Newcastle and England star Peter Beardsley at the League presentation. Looking to the future we have introduced four new coaches to our club, who are currently undergoing training with Durham FA. It is essential that we encourage more adults into becoming coaches, not only does this benefit grassroots football but as we increase the number of teams we run we need qualified people to work with the teams. One lad, Zac Atkinson, is 14 years old and plays for Winlaton Real. He was with Middlesbrough’s youth academy but he took a bad injury and can no longer play at that level. He comes to Blaydon to watch his younger brother, Sam Little has encouraged him and he has taken a keen interest in coaching and he now helps Sam to train the under 8’s he has just qualified as a referee and is desperate to take his coaching badge and run his own team. Next season all the teams will be moving up a year and we will be introducing a new under 7 team. Blaydon Races Football Festival Once again we ran our football festival in early June to coincide with the Blaydon Race with events at under 7, 8, 9 & 10. Each age group played on separate days with up to 14 teams taking part each day. Most of the teams were old adversaries from our local leagues with a few teams invited from other divisions to add interest. The event was run in a spirit of friendship and good will, many commenting on how they enjoyed the day.

Alan Robson (Secretary)

Football Managers:

Under 10’s: Phil Little - Iain Joyce

Under 9’s: Sasha Manko - Andrew Gate

Under 8’s: Sam Little - ZaK Atkinson

Under 7’s: Phil Little - Allan Tate

Club Welfare Officer: Lynn Little