MISSION STATEMENT

To be widely acknowledged for excellence in the delivery of valued support, advice, opportunities and services to the whole Sussex football community.

To provide, for children a safe, structured, fun learning environment within which to develop, for adults a quality controlled wide range of nationally recognised Football Coach Education courses in the County of Sussex.

Juniors

Who are the juniors?

Juniors FC are a one team Club with four years of history behind them. Season 2006/07 will see our U15 team play again in the Burton Junior Football League. Although we are small compared to other Clubs, we excell in qualifications and hard work. We were awarded the FA Charter Standard Club status in 2005, the same year as our Manager achieved the FA Level 2 Certificate in Coaching. Even Jose Mourinho dropped us a line to congratulate us ! Other certificates held are FA Emergency Aid, FA Child Protection Workshop as well as Criminal Record Bureau checks. Our Manager has also recently become a member of the FA Coaches Association giving him Licensed Coach status.

Not bad for saying none of the above is necessary in order to run a junior football team !! We provide cheap quality coaching for our players and this is possible via our own hard work plus the financial support of Stapenhill Parish Council, Bovril and The Football Foundation. How many other teams can boast a new home and away kit, new rainjackets, new pitch with changing rooms and not forgetting the new yellow & black striped goal nets. Oh yes and all new size 5 training footballs. As Tina Turner once sang, we're "Simply the Best"

Season 2003/04 saw us play 11-a-side in division 2 of the U12's. This was a baptism of fire for us as a team as we struggled to cope with the demands of 11-a-side football. Facing defeat after defeat, we were fortunate that a nucleus of players stuck around in order to provide the future backbone of the 2004/05 team. Season 2004/05 remains the highlight of our short history. Bolstered by the signing of local lads :- Michael, Ian & Rossi as well as Ross AT plus Matt and my old mate Mitch after the first few games, we became a force to be reckoned with. After losing our first three matches by the odd goal, everything clicked and then we just couldn't lose. The team oozed quality and goals were aplenty with Craig and Josh knocking in nearly seventy between them. Our indifferent start to the season meant we could not win the division but we were well satisfied with runners up spot after getting 37 out of a possible 39 points !

The Story so far

Season 2005/06 saw us in the top division with the big boys. We managed to keep the majority of the runners up squad with a few additions. It was tough, with Bass Juniors showing us the difference in class. We stuck together though in the main and ground out a win at Whittington as well as a fine 5-5 draw against Doveridge who upto then had not dropped a point. Several lads left the Club due to the higher level of football we were involved in whilst replacements were drafted in. Our best was just not good enough as we saw each mistake punished week in week out. Alot of the games this season were a pleasure to watch as they were played in the true spirit of the game with a friendly crowd. The games away to Doveridge and at home to AC Esportivo were typical of this. Sadly though, the one thing we could not teach the lads was experience which at this level was needed. Nevertheless though, we always put up a good show and were always commented upon due to the good behaviour of the lads. No one likes to get relegated but we would learn from it and bounce back a better,stronger side.

Season 2005/06 also saw great progress off the pitch. Matt qualified as a FA Level 2 coach after much hard work over a 8 month period. The Club achieved FA Charter Standard Club status which was a fantastic achievement for a small club like ourselves. The demise of Drakelow Power Station meant the end of our home matches being played there. After much hard work though, the Club secured the use of and improvements to the Heath Rd pitch. We would now have top class changing facilities as well as a pitch right in the heart of the community. Summer 2006 looms and with it the usual attraction of tournaments. With five entered this Summer we hope to bring some well deserved silverware home.

Read about the veterans.