Saturday 14th May 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League Final

Erdington and Saltley 3 – 1 Sutton Coldfield

Team: Rob, Sam, Kye, Tion, Kane, Ilani, Cameron, Samim, Rio, Diago, Harvey, Taylor and Pharrelle

Goals: Rio x 2 and Cameron

Man of the Match: Tion

Four things come to mind as I sit here the morning after the day before and reminisce about another historic day for this special bunch of boys. Four things.

One – The support and unity of all the parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles and of course, Grandad Parker.  From the very first whistle, the sound of Tracy shrieking and whooping in encouragement of all of the boys and the booming of Esme rattling her crutches against the fence created a wonderful atmosphere. It may have been loud, but it was always positive and always in the spirit that the game demanded. This season we have arguably had the greatest set of supporters that we’ve ever had! Over the past few seasons we have been blessed with some truly wonderful parents. Parents who have gone above and beyond. However never have we had as many as we’ve got this year.

With the season drawing to a close, I’m left wondering how we’ll replace the Ton Army of 2015/16!

Two – The unity of the boys. There were four subs yesterday – Diago, Taylor, Harvey and Pharrelle. Four subs who didn’t manage to get on the pitch. Four subs who were not bothered about their own personal gains, but were only concerned by the team’s needs. When it was explained to them that the frantic, tense nature of the final did not lend itself to wholesale changes, they told me not to worry and continued to support the team from the sidelines. This team spirit can’t be faked. It is real. These boys are friends, not just team mates.

With the season drawing to a close, I’m left wondering how we’ll replace the Ton spirit of 2015/16!

Three – the final whistle brought nothing more than a few cheers and some fist pumping. There was a visible respect for the Sutton boys. As a team, we know what it is like to lose a final. It’s not nice. Just like against Aston last week, the boys embraced the opposition respectfully and acknowledged the part that they had played in making this a brilliant spectacle. Even when they had their hands on the trophy, they had to be encouraged to have a little dance and to belt out a rendition of ‘Chamionies’. Their humble and grounded attitude is one of their biggest strengths as a team.

With the season drawing to a close, I’m left wondering how we’ll replace the Ton integrity of 2015/16!

Four- We refused to lie down and roll over. After falling a goal behind, the boys steadied the ship and composed themselves. With half of the game consigned to the realms of history, the boys would have been forgiven for panicking. After all, we’ve been here before with Sutton! However, they simply saw the goal as a signal to step it up a gear. If they controlled the first 30 minutes without threatening Sutton where it really hurt, the second 30 minutes was a totally different affair!

Five minutes after falling behind, the lads drew level through a sensational half-volley from outside the area courtesy of Rio. After watching the ball rebound it’s way around the Sutton area following a dangerous Ton corner, Rio grabbed the bull by the horns and rifled home the sweetest of shots!

Refusing to rest and noticing that Sutton were understandably wobbling, the boys threw everything forward and attacked in numbers. Two minutes after equalising, they had taken the lead. Linking up superbly down the right hand side of the pitch, the ball was swung in hard and low by Kane and prodded home by Cameron for his 21st goal of the season. A stunning number of goals for a winger!

There was more to come, as the lads almost made it three goals in the space of five minutes. Twice they went close before the end of the second third, only for the ref to blow his whistle and give Sutton a chance to regroup.

The final third saw the Sutton lads throw everything at us, only to be met by the immoveable trio of Sam, Kye and Tion. Shot after shot was blocked. Cross after cross was headed away. Through ball after through ball was intercepted. Player after player was tackled. As a unit they were formidable.

Further up the pitch, the midfield of Rio, Samim, Kane and Ilani were working overtime to ensure that our grip on the title remained firm. Every blade of artificial grass was covered as the midfield sought to close down the Sutton boys instantly and release Cameron as early as possible. As a result of the front five’s endeavour and commitment, a third goal came our way with 9 minutes left on the clock. Once again finding himself on the right, Kane chipped a ball to the far post where it was met by the head of Rio. Just like our other winger Cameron, Rio has had a sensational season, with this goal being his 24th of the campaign.

The last nine minutes saw all nine boys defend as a unit and deflect every direct attack that Sutton threw their way.

Job done!

It wouldn’t be fair to not mention the Sutton boys, whose herculean effort was once again evident for all to see. It’s been some battle this season! A battle between two teams very evenly matched. A battle between two teams who are a walking advert for the merits of schools’ football. A battle between two teams that will live long in the memory of all involved with district football in 2015/16. Thank you Mike and the lads. It’s been our pleasure. Well done Sutton!

With the season drawing to a close, I’m left wondering how we’ll replace the Ton never-say-die attitude of 2015/16!

Lets take a minute to reflect on the achievements of this special group of friends:

• Bath International Cup Winners
• Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA 7-a-side Winners
• Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Futsal Championship Winners
• English Schools’ FA/Premier League West Midlands 9-a-side Cup Winners
• Midland Challenge Cup Winners
• Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Cup Winners
• West Midlands County Schools’ FA League Winners
• Birmingham Primary Schools FA’ League Runners-up
• Birmingham Primary Schools FA’ Winter Cup Runners-up
• Birmingham Primary Schools FA’ Daniel Sturridge Cup Runners-up
• West Midlands County Schools’ 7-a-side Runners-up
• English Schools’ FA Jersey Festival – Played Six, Won Five, Lost One
• They have competed with and beat districts of far greater size
• They have put Erdington and Saltley on the national footballing map

As match report conclusions go, that list is quite the conclusion.

Thank you boys. Thank you mums, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and thank you Grandad Parker.

Up The Ton!

Friday 6th May 2016 @ Bodymoor Heath, Aston Villa

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Cup Final

Erdington and Saltley 8 – 0 Aston

Team: Robbo, Sam, Kye, Tion, Kane, Ilani, Rio, Cameron P, Troy, Harvey, Samim, Cian T, Taylor, Diago and Pharrelle

Goals: Troy x3, Kane x3, Cameron and Ilani

Man of the Match: Really?!

The year was 2014. After finishing second in the Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League, The Ton suffered further heartbreak in the final of the Second City Cup, after being pulled apart by a young man from South Birmingham called Tim.

The year was 2015. After finishing second in the Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League, The Ton suffered further heartbreak in the final of the Second City Cup, after conceding two goals in the final three minutes to lose 2-1 to Kings Norton.

The year was 2016. After finishing second in the Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League, The Ton suffered…er…actually we won! We only went and won the cup! We only went and did it in style! There were around 150 spectators stretched out pitch-side last night. There will be around 150 people who will remember that performance for many years to come! It was that good.

I never make a secret of the affinity that I have for Aston. I have been a teacher for nine years and six of those have been spent in Handsworth, which falls in the Aston district. This is why this final meant so much for me personally.

Many of our boys have grown up playing football alongside the Aston boys, such is the close proximity of the two districts. This is why this final meant so much for them personally.

Cameron P, Sam, Troy and Kane were part of the crushing blow that was the 2015 final. For 55 minutes of that game we bossed Kings Norton, hitting the bar and having one cleared off the line after taking a 1-0 lead. Then in the blink of an eye we found ourselves behind. It hurt. It hurt more than words can explain.

A year in football is a very long time. The past twelve months have been breathtaking. One piece of history after another. One record after another. With five trophies already in the bag, the boys were determined to lift the one piece of silverware that has eluded this fine district for years. In fact, forever!

Starting the game like a steam-train, the boys raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Kane and Troy finishes. The intensity and pace at which they started the final was exactly what we demanded before the game. They couldn’t have started any better.

The lead was doubled before the break when Ilani and Kane added further goals. Yenton midfielder Ilani had already tested the keeper from distance on three occasions before striking rich with his fourth attempt. Flying past the outstretched arm of Lawrence, Ilani’s left-footed rocket nestled into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

As crazy as it sounds, we knew the lads had another gear to find and we asked them to find it! The second half saw Rio and Cameron creating mayhem down the wings, whilst Ilani grew into the game, commanding the midfield, often single-handedly as Troy and Kane were effectively playing as a front two. At the back, Sam nullified the aerial threat of Aston whilst Kye and Tion contributed hugely to a commanding defensive performance. St. Barnabas fullback Kye was breathing down the neck of every Aston player as soon as they dared enter his domain, whilst Tion was the epitome of composure. As for Robbo…he kept a clean sheet in a final. Enough said!

Four more goals were scored, with both Kane and Troy bagging a hat trick each and Cameron grabbing a deserved goal.

Kane’s third goal saw him equal Shilo’s all-time Ton goal scoring record. St. Matthew’s finisher Shilo scored 30 goals during the 2013/14 season and a further 44 goals during the 2014/15 campaign. I was fairly confident that his total of 74 goals would never be beaten. Yet again, my lack of footballing knowledge has been exposed for all to see! Step forward Mr Taylor. With 24 goals in the bag during the 2014/15 season, the Hodge Hill midfielder has added a further 50 goals this season and there’s still a few more games to go!

It is worth noting that Aston put in a huge shift. They gave everything that they had for their manager Adam. They ran through brick walls for him on that pitch last night. They deserve a huge amount of credit for refusing to let their heads drop. They did Aston proud. As a teacher from Aston – they did me proud. Well done boys!

Speaking of feeling proud…At the start of the week I made it clear to all of the lads that I couldn’t guarantee anyone that they would play. Just like last year when Cameron and Sam put that to the back of their mind for the team, our six subs did the same again this year. Diago, Harvey, Pharrelle, Samim, Cian and Taylor were not concerned that they might not play; the six of them just wanted to be part of the evening. This is a sign of how special this bunch of lads are. It shows how strong their team spirit is.

As it turned out, all six of them got on the field and all of them had an impact on the game. From Diago popping up on the right wing when he was meant to be playing left back, to Cian almost scoring a screamer from distance. All six lads contributed to the win and left their mark on the game.

The final whistle didn’t initially bring wild celebrations. Instead it brought warm embraces between the two sets of lads and countless acknowledgements of respect. The sight of the Aston boys congratulating the Erdington boys, and vice versa, was a beautiful thing!

So our third visit to Bodymoor Heath turned out to be our night.Our special night.

You’ll notice that I haven’t named a man-of-the-match. How could I?!

Well done boys! You are one very special group!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 30th April 2016 @ Veseyans RFC

BPSFA Cup Semi-final Stage

Team: Rob, Cian, Sam, Pharrelle, Taylor, Diago, Kane, Tion, Ilani, Rio and Cameron P

Goals: Kane x 3, Cameron P x 2, Pharrelle x 2 and Rio

Man of the Match:

With 28 seconds on the clock and the fans still finding their seats, The Ton took the lead against Harborne. In anyone’s books that is a pretty good start! During the next ten minutes the boys continued to tighten their grip on the fixture, adding a further two goals to take a 3-0 half-time lead.

The second half was very similar in the sense that The Ton had all of the ball and continued to press the boys in blue. A fourth goal came from the boot of Cameron, whilst the defence was being  lead expertly by Sam, who formed a great understanding with under 11s débutante Cian.

Causing havoc down the wings, both Pharrelle and Rio had started the morning like they meant business. Happy? I most certainly was!

The game ended 4-0. Job done. Great start. Stall set out.

Next up was Aston. As you’re aware, I work in Aston and they have a big place in my heart. In fact some of those Aston boys were in Year 1 when I taught at Welford. A great district and great kids!

Putting all of that to one side, the boys took the lead via a stunning turn and long distance shot from Kane. It was that good, even the ref let out a whoop of appreciation! However the Aston boys battled their hearts out and refused to accept defeat without a fight. After being fouled, Renayo jumped up to smash a free kick beyond the reach of Robbo. After regaining composure, the lads took the lead for a second time, once again courtesy of Kane. Unlike his first screamer, this goal was a little scrappier, although what it lacked in finesse, it made up for in determination. Refusing to give up on a long ball, he won a one-on-one battle with the Aston keeper before slotting in from close range.

Two down. One to go.

In our final match we squared up against Sutton Coldield, knowing a win would give us a 100% record. Our opening goal was a great finish from Parrelle, after he caught a shot on the half-volley and smashed it past the Sutton keeper Jacob. A truly brilliant finish to add to the tidy header that he scored in the opening game.

Just like against Aston, the boys were pegged back when the Sutton striker Red managed to break the offside trap to stealthy pop up in the box and poke the ball home to level the scores.

With five minutes remaining on the clock, Cameron won the ball back in midfield only to see his speculative shot bounce over Jacob and into the Sutton net. As fortunate as it was, it was the least that Cameron deserved after a great morning at the office! His tireless running down the left, as well as in the centre of the park, meant he caused our opponents countless problems.

Three wins out of three. Brilliant.

At times it was scintilating. At other times it was a little scrappy. At all times it was committed, brave and built upon a foundation of hard work. Well done boys! You did us all proud!

Now it’s on to Bodymoor on Friday for the BPSFA Cup final. After losing to South Birmingham in 2014 and Kings Norton in 2015, the boys will be fully focused on making it third time lucky. If they arrive to that game with the team spirit and application that they showed today, they’ll give themselves a great chance of doing just that.

See you on Friday Aston!

Up The Ton!