Team Blog

U9 Red Awards Posted on 01/07/2017

Manager's Player:

My Manager's Player decision was very, very close. However, the decision went to Tommy. Tommy is the Under 9‘s RED'S Club Captain.

Tommy leads by example with a first class attitude and always giving 110% whether we are training or playing. Tommy has regularly been part of Cruzo’s development team as well. He has impressed in games against clubs such as Watford and QPR. Tommy has grown in statue through the season. As a team we got promoted into the top division. At the start this was quite a challenge. But as the season went on our results improved as we suddenly became a team it was hard to score against. WHY? Simple. Tommy was there. Winning tackles, organising, chasing back, pushing forward. If we were ever under pressure, more often than not, Tommy’s tenaciousness got us out of trouble.

I would say Tommy is the ultimate wide defender. Up and down. Up and Down. An added bonus to Tommy’s game has been his goal scoring. We all know Tommy’s defending skills. Well this has now progressed into attacking prowse. Tommy is regularly overlapping and getting into the opponent's half which has led to a number of goals. More often than not screamers from outside the box . Tenacious is not strong enough to describe this young boy. Although small in stature his raw desire to compete, win, and enjoy the game we all love is a pleasure. With boys like Tommy in the team it makes the job of coaching so easy and enjoyable.

Well done Tommy!

Top Goal Scorer: Connor 

Connor came to the trails at the beginning of last season. We soon saw his potential and snapped him up. Connor is an all round player, with immense passing skills and great vision. Connor also has played in a number of positions though out the season. During the season it soon became apparent that we need a goal scorer. So we tried Connor upfront. It worked. Connor’s first game up front was away at West Herts and Connor soon showed his finishing abilities with a first half hat-trick. From this game on Connor's goal scoring tally went one way. Up. Scoring with his left foot, right foot, goal poaching tap in’s, long range efforts, free kicks. Connor has scored over 30 goals in the top flight. This is some record. We hope this continues next year. Connor has had numerous interest for Pro clubs including Fulham.

Player's Player: Connor and Tommy

Most Improved Player:

Adam’s progress this year has been immense. Adam is a very strong defender. At the start of the year Adam's desire to win the ball and tackle hard was never in question. The issue was whether Adam would get the boy or the ball! However, this young man, throughout the season, has gone from raw aggression to a very talented defender. His timing in the tackle is second to none. So often the wold of football is obsessed with goal scorers. Well for me the art of tackling is just as, if not more important, than the tricks and flicks.

When we started the season on, the odd occasion (about 6), young Adam would possibly take the ball, the player, and any one else, out in the box! Leaving Clive (our Ref) with no other option to give the opposition a penalty. By the end of the season, on many occasions, Adam would be our last defender taking control and mopping up any issues.

Adam's timing is now second to none. We always look at that winning goal and too often forget the goal saving tackle that would keep us in a game. With Adam at the back we witnessed on many times tackles that would grace any football pitch. If any new coach was to do a session with Adam they wouldn’t know if Adam was left or right footer. For a 9 year old this is some skill. Adam regularly payed on the left side of defence even though he is naturally right footed. Adam is a Liverpool fan. And in the words of his Coach. Adam is my Graham Souness! Attackers beware!

Sadly Adam is leaving LCC to follow a career in Rugby. I know Paul O’D and all the Parents wish Adam all the best and his tough, tough tackling will certainly be missed.

Clubman:

George is a player who automatically finds himself in the starting line up every week. George’s consistency provides us with a great starting point. He will work tirelessly for the team and all his team mates. Whether that is pushing forward creating opportunities and scoring, or chasing back to support our defence when under pressure. As you can all appreciate many of the boys throughout the club have joined with friends from their school. Well this is not the case with George. Young George came to the club with his younger brother Tommy. From day one George integrated with all the boys and I know has now made many friends in a number of age groups. George is affectionally known as GG. He is always at training both on Thursday and Saturdays and regularly gets involved with the U8’s session helping out there. George will not miss a game (apart from when he is off skiing!).

As with any player there are always improvements that can be made. GG knows what he needs to do and will listen and always try to develop in those areas. GG is a natural 2 footed player who will I am sure develop into a smashing midfielder. As with all the boys it has been a pleasure coaching GG and all the boys. GG recently underwent an 8 week trail with Watford where he did very well.