Club News (December)

Contents

• Back By Popular Demand
• Wearing Jewellery
• What Did You Say?
• Wilts FA Centre of Excellence(Girls)
• DHUFC Needs
• Association with Reading FC
• Christmas Break and Winter Schedule
• And Finally...

Back By Popular Demand
Following lots of rave reviews from last Christmas "Snowball Frenzy" returns to the front page of the DHUFC Website. Have some on-line, simple fun entertainment, click here. Let me know your high-score.


Wearing Jewellery
I have been been asked to clarify the situation with regard to players wearing jewellery whilst training or playing.

Law 4 of The Laws of Association state:-
Safety - A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

In accordance with this law, it is Club policy that jewellery should not be worn when participating in training or matches. Frankly it is certain that no sporting benefit can come from its wearing, but there is a chance, however small, that injury to the wearer or other parties can occur. We simply want to ensure the safety of your children and those with whom they play.


What Did You Say?
In a recent match I was a participant in an incident which once again highlighted the need for spectators to avoid shouting instructions to our young players.

One of our goalkeepers received a backpass from his centre-back. As the ball ran back toward him, the keeper watched the opposition attacker closing in. With great confidence, the keeper calmly controlled the ball, looked up, and went to pass the ball back out. Then he heard the cries from the crowd "Pick it up", confused and fearing conceding a freekick for breaking the backpass rule, he continued to look for a pass out. The cries "Pick it up", still rang from the sideline. Thinking the referee must have stopped play for an earlier offence, offside or an injury, he bent down and picked up the ball. You guessed it, the referee blew his whistle and gave an indirect freekick in the penalty area for the offence of picking up the ball from a backpass.

So what happened here? I told you the story from the keeper's side - I asked him what happened after we cleared the ball from the freekick. Unfortunately, the crowd were a little way from the penalty area. This, and the keeper's concentration on the ball and the situation he found himself in all contributed to him missing an essential word... he heard "Pick it up", the crowd were shouting "DON'T Pick it up", something he never intended doing in the first place!

I know football is very exciting and we all get carried away in the moment, it really can't be helped, but try to remember your job at the game is to support and encourage. Instruction and direction should be left to the coaches.


Wilts FA Centre of Excellence(Girls)
I am pleased and proud to inform you that three members from Derry Hill United have been selected to attend the Wiltshire School of Excellence for Girls. The selection process took place earlier this season and was attended by many girls throughout the county, including some from DHUFC.

Our congratulations go to Lauren E, Rhiann D, and Saphri L for being selected. A great effort, I am pleased the commitment and effort you put into your football has been rewarded.

A good effort from all the DHUFC girls that attended but were not selected, I know places were limited and the competition was fierce. For those that weren't selected this time, keep training, trying and enjoying, you'll get another chance to show your skills.


DHUFC Needs???
We are looking for a small, quiet generator. If anyone can donate a second-hand one or know of a cheap source for new gennies then please let me know. We are very interested in being able to show training videos in the Clubhouse to the children and coaches. This would offer another way of extending the methods by which we coach our players.


Association with Reading FC
As well as arranging a Club trip to Reading FC in February, DHUFC has been working hard to establish coaching links with this successful, progressive Championship Club. As well as having a Premiership chasing side, Reading FC also has one of the League's top-rated football academies, taking children from as early as the age of 9. The Academy is one of just 30 in the country and is centred in the £1M Reading Soccer Dome, within kicking distance of the Madejski Stadium.

In November, 9 of DHUFC's coaching team were invited to spend an evening watching the full-time academy staff put the Under 12s squad through one of it's three weekly sessions. It was a very interesting evening, enjoyed by all. I think we all came away with some new ideas for our sessions and even more motivation to develop our young players in the skills of the game.

We intend to continue our relationship with Reading, with other coaches visits, we are also investigating the possibility of getting one or more of their coaches to come and visit us. The purpose of such a relationship is to allow DHUFC an outlet for highly talented individuals that we might develop within the Club. The link should provide us with an opportunity to have our opinions and assessment of talented players assessed and validated by professionals who can take things further if they consider the player has the right attributes.

As we mature as a club we are looking to develop similar links through all levels of football so that all our players, regardless of ability have an appropriate exit route through to adult football.
Monday 20th December: Last evening training Session before Christmas Break


Christmas Break and Winter Schedule

• Saturday 8th January: Saturday training resumes - sessions per usual schedule
• Monday 10th January: Evening training resumes
• Saturday 19th February: No training (End of Term)
• Saturday 19th February: DHUFC trip to Reading FC for training and match
• Saturday 26th February: Saturday training resumes - sessions per usual schedule
• March: FA Soccer Stars Assessment (date to be decided)
• Saturday 26th March: No training (End of Term - Easter)
• Saturday 9th April: Saturday training resumes - sessions per usual schedule

For full details of the Club programme, visit the Events Calender on the Club Site at Wannadoo.


And Finally...
A World Champion in our midst!
Our congratulations go to David Thrower, coach for the Burn, for his recent success in 'The World Team Challenge". David was a member of the Nationwide team, who earned their place in the World Final following success in the UK and European rounds. It was a gruelling sporting challenge which included running and cycling through mountainous terrain in Spain last weekend. The Nationwide group entered a mixed team, which finished first in this category thereby declaring them "The Mixed Team World Champions"!

David and his team's exploits are to be shown on Channel 4 sometime in the coming months. Click here to find out more.


Have a great Christmas, a wonderful New Year, and come back, refreshed and raring to go on Saturday 8 January.

Flames v Westbury

Flames 9 Westbury 2 (HT Flames 5 Westbury 2)
Man Of Match: George H

A game, not of two halves, but four quarters for the Flames on Saturday.

After a good start, consolidating on a goal within the first minute, the Flames went on to control the game with some assured play over the first fifteen minutes. The first swap-out of players signalled the start of the worst 15 minutes of Flames play this season. It was disappointing to see the boys play without shape in the effort to score goals against a weakened Westbury side. This single focus to score through direct play led to ineffective, flat attack, and inadequate protection at the back due to an absent midfield. The play gradually deteriorated to the point where Westbury started to gain some confidence through our selfish, undisciplined approach, and led to them out-scoring us 2-1 over the last 10 minutes of the half.

The second half started with a refocused Flames side and the boys went on to play with good width and depth to score some very nice team goals. A game with many lessons.

Dan T
Marshalled the defence well, especially when under pressure during the 'missing midfield' phase. Made some strong tackles and continues to look to find his own players when playing the ball out.

Adam V
Looking ever more secure in goal, did well to get a firm hand on a very good goal-bound shot. An excellent second half debut in defence. Calm on the ball, good distribution and well considered positioning.

Ashley W
A great debut at left wing back. So much energy and enthusiasm, ran up and down the channel all match. Shows growing confidence by starting to consider his passes rather than just clearing. But for an outstanding performance from George H, would have been Man Of The Match.

George H
A tower of strength at the centre of the back. Strong tackling and a commitment to get back when beaten. Made many goal saving tackles.

Adam D
Played in three different positions during the match, all well commanded. Kept his position well and always looking to make penetrating runs when able.

Jason T
Jason's last game with the Flames before moving from the area. Good running as ever and it was pleasing to see him smash a trade-mark goal to send him off in style. Jason, you were great to coach, we've enjoyed having you in the squad.