Pre-season Update

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, the friendly fixtures against Castle Brom and Chelmsley Colts on Saturday 9th August have been cancelled. However never fear as they’ve been replaced with:

Thursday 14th August vs. Phoenix (Jaffray Road, Erdington; meet at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm kick off)

Thursday 21st August vs. Bromford Lions (Yardley and District Rugby Club, Cole Hall Lane, B34 6HE; 6:00pm meet for a 6:30pm kick off)

Thanks everyone for your continued support.

The 2014-2015 Team Kicks Off In Style

Saturday 27th July @ BCFC Training Ground, Wast Hills

Team: Kye, Shaun, Brandon, Callum, Kruize, Kane, Troy, Tyrese, Shilo, Hayden, Cameron, Tristan, Jermaine and Sam

Scorers:
Shilo x4
Troy x3
Kane x2
Hayden x1
Tyrese x1

Opposition:
Studley Colts FC
Feckenham FC
Studley Youth FC
Solihul Moors FC
Arden Forest FC

First of all I’m going to lay my cards on the table…my memory is not the best! When I sit down on the weekend to write these reports, I often cast my mind back and am met with a blur of memories! Therefore please don’t expect a blow by blow recount of events! However, despite the issues with my memory I do remember how well we came together as a team in our first ever games!

The weather was blistering (perhaps too hot!) and as 14 of the squad arrived refreshed and excited about the prospect of playing in their first ever district game, Tonn and I were full of optimism for some exhilarating attacking play. We weren’t left disappointed either! The first three games showcased what we both want to see each and every game – attacking football played at pace and an atmosphere that encourages the boys to try things without fear of making mistakes. The 2013/2014 team played some amazing football but the 2014/15 team matched them! With Shaun and Kye (and later Brandon, Sam and Callum) playing the ball out from the back, The Ton looked to pour forward with every opportunity. The attacking potential of the team was frightening! Kruize, Kane, Shilo, Troy, Tyrese, Cameron, Hayden, Tristan and Jermaine (Wow! That is a long list!) all wanted the ball and were not afraid to take responsibility going forward or when trying to regain possession for that matter! It was quite breathtaking stuff at times and the lads should be immensely proud of how quickly they gelled as a team, on and off the pitch.

If this is a sign of things to come, we’re going to be in for another exciting season, especially with Marc due to rejoin the squad following his holiday!

Well done boys and thank you parents for your support! Enjoy the six weeks holidays!

Up The Ton!

‘A’ TEAM FIXTURE – BCFC Tournament

Sunday 27th July @ Wast Hills Training Ground, Redhill Road, B38 9EL

‘A’ Team
Meet at 10:00am for a 10:30am start
All games will be played on 3G. Therefore all players must wear astro trainers or moulded round studs. No blades or metal studs.
If possible, all players should arrive wearing black shorts and the socks of their academy/Sunday league team.

Thanks

Presentation – Saturday 19th July 2014

Goals, Star City – 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Just humour me guys, I’m a teacher and have to have a timetable! Here is an idea of what to expect from Saturday:

– There’ll be some music. I’ll have some ‘Bangin’ Toones’ as the yoof call them.
– There’ll be some cheese sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps etc
– Tonn is going to teach you how to break dance (I think that’s what he said but I could have misheard him)
– We have a pitch for our use so we’re going to play Erdington Parents vs. Saltley Parents. Therefore remember to bring your boots/trainers. Don’t bother turning up in your dancing, toe tapping shoes.
– Then they’ll be a penalty shootout competition for the yoof
– After that we’ll head back to the room and watch Tonn do a break dancing solo, or alternatively we’ll just give out the trophies and medals.
– Throughout the day I’ll be selling tickets for the worlds least child friendly raffle. If you don’t drink, I’m not interested and you will be pestered to buy tickets.
– After the awards they’ll be some more bangin’ toones.
– A few emotional goodbyes, and we’ll be done!

End of 2013/14 Season – Stats

Most Appearances:

  1. Amari and Ramello – 24 games
  2. Dermot, Leyton, Ethan and Michael – 23 games
  3. Callum, George and Shilo – 20 games

Most Goals:

  1. Shilo – 30 goals
  2. Amari – 28 goals
  3. Ramello 20 goals
  4. Ethan – 15 goals

Most Man of the Match Awards:

  1. Dermot – 5 MotM
  2. Amari, Ethan, Marc and Shilo – 4 MotM
  3. Tyrese, Michael, George and Alex – 3 MotM

Birmingham County Representatives:

  1. Amari
  2. Dermot
  3. Ramello
  4. Ethan

Achievements:

Birmingham 7-a-sdie Championship – Winners

Birmingham 5-a-side Championship – Winners

Birmingham Under 11s District League – Runners-up

Birmingham District 9-a-side Cup – Runners-up

West Midlands FA Cup (Burton Shield) – Runners-up

Midland Challenge Cup – Runners-up

 

Memorable Quotes:

“…what I consider to be the best footballing side in the West Midlands…” Wolverhampton District Secretary

“Shilo pass the ball…pass the ball…PASS THE BALL…SHHHHHIIIIIILLLLLLLOOOOO PPPPAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!” (30 Seconds later) “Good goal Shilo. Well done.” – Phil

“Bruce! Bruce! Oi Bruce! Why aint he listening to me?” (Tonn) “Because his name is Dermot.” (Phil)

 

2014/15 Squad: How the district works

The district team is made up of the very best players from the 47 schools in Erdington and Saltley. All of these players continue to play for their academy side or Sunday team. In that respect it works in a similar way to international football.

District matches take place on a Saturday morning and tend to kick off at 10:30am.

We constantly communicate with the local professional teams to ensure that they’re aware of district commitments, as well as to make sure that all of the lads get the right balance in terms of playing time.

The district team does not have a weekly training session due to the fact that the players have other footballing commitments.

The A-Team squad will compete for the district league title, as well as the West Midlands FA Cup (Burton Shield) and the small sided championships.

The B-Team and Under 10s will make up the squads that play for the Midland Challenge Cup and Shires Cup, as well as playing representative matches throughout the season.

Those boys who are required to play on a Saturday will receive a text the previous Sunday (approximately one weeks notice) and should confirm their availability ASAP, preferably on the same day.

Please check the website regularly for up to date information.

The 2014/15 Squad: The King is Dead…Long Live the King!

A-Team  School  Year (as of Sept 2014)
Sean Slade 6
Sam Marsh Hill 5
Marc The Abbey 6
Kye St. Barnabas 5
Kruize Slade 6
Hayden St. Peter and St. Paul 6
Troy Marsh Hill 5
Tyrese St. Joe’s 6
Kane Hodge Hill 5
Jermaine Lea Forest 6
Tristan Yenton 6
Shilo St. Matthews 6
B-Team and Under 10s School  Year (as of Sept 2014)
Kai Corpus Christi 6
Jamie Shirestone 5
Harvey Heathlands 5
Callum Hillstone 6
Dylan Gunter 6
Brandon Short Heath 6
Teon Hillstone 6
Cameron Gunter 5
Oakley Marsh Hill 5
Dylan Hawthorn 5
Brayden Heathlands 6
Daniel Audley 6
Elijah Shirestone 6
Rayhaan Colebourne 6
Ryaq Ward End 6
Tierry Yenton 6

The Ton Suffer Final Heartbreak Again

Saturday 28th June 2014 @ Maidensbridge Primary School

Team: Dermot, Alex, Ethan, Leyton, Amari, Kruize, Ramello, Tyrese, Shilo

Subs: Callum and George

Scorer: Ramello

Man of the Match: Dermot

 

The season is finally over. I certainly don’t mean that in a bad way either! What a season it’s been too! Since playing our first game as a team on Saturday 20th July 2013, we’ve won a couple of finals, lost a couple of finals, missed out on the league by a single point, scored a bucket full of goals, made new friends, picked up a load of memories that will stay with us for life and I like to think we’ve had a laugh along the way too. Finally, I think every player has improved as a player through district football. I’ll never forget this season and that is quite an achievement considering I’ve already forgotten what I had for breakfast today!

The Ton started the game with their attacking intentions clear for all to see. The ball was passed around the surface and players were being brave in their desire to move the ball forward on the floor. However, as has happened too many times this season, a goal for the opposition dealt a major body blow to the confidence of the lads. No sooner had Wolverhampton taken the lead, that they doubled it. The Wolves players were strong, but fair, in their tackles and applied pressure all over the pitch. Their hunger during the first half was fantastic and we didn’t match it. We found ourselves 2-0 down at half time and it could possibly have been more, were it not for the out-rushing Dermot who thwarted Josh Williams a number of times by bravely diving at the feet of the Wolves striker.

At half time we told the boys that they had to match Wolverhampton for the basics – effort, bravery, commitment – before they could even consider getting back into the game. Thankfully the second half saw a massive improvement in The Ton and we controlled the game for large parts of the second twenty-five. Shilo, often isolated in the first half, was now being supported by Amari and Ramello who were moving infield from the wings. The goal came courtesy of a Ramello volley from a few yards out, flying in off the underside of the bar. At that point the lads were visibly lifted and started to believe that they could get back in the game. However, despite their best efforts, they just couldn’t find the equaliser and Wolves scored a third at the death to make the score 3-1.

It would be hard to argue that Wolves didn’t deserve to win but 3-1 was harsh. On another day our second half performance would have lead to an equaliser but football is cruel!

As I said at the beginning of this report, we’ve had a great season and should be proud of our efforts. We have made history every step of the way and the 2014/15 team will have their work cut out if they’re going to outdo you lot! No pressure Shilo, Marc, Tyrese and Kruize!

 

Keep those heads held high boys! It has been a pleasure to manage you. Good luck in Year 7, Tonn and I will miss you!

 

Up the Ton!