LSFA Report 2010-11
The Report of the Council 2010-11
The number of Council Meetings was again reduced this season due to members’ commitments and the ability to share information via e-mail and the LSFA website. Information from English Schools FA and Northern Counties SFA was also passed on to members by e-mail, thus saving the need for reporting at meetings.
Council met in Cabinet Rooms in County Hall, Preston and latterly at The County Ground, Leyland as follows:
June 14th 2010 – the AGM (10)
July 5th 2010 (7)
September 6th 2010 (14)
October 11th 2010 (8)
December 6th 2010 (6)
April h 2011 (6)
The following areas were not represented at Council Meeting by elected members: Chorley, Burnley, Rossendale and West Lancashire. This saga of non-representation still unfolds and the problem seems to be worsening. When communications break down or problems occur, Council finds it difficult to sympathise with schools in unrepresented areas. An appeal for new blood to revitalise the Association did produce some response, but again from limited areas. Without co-opted members, some areas would have no voice on Council. If the work is shared, the burden on the few is lightened. Bill Alder’s words of wisdom at an AGM some years ago are still relevant – leave the work to a few and they will soon find that the task is too onerous.
Co-opted members were:
Mr R.D. Blacktop Under 19 Advisory
Mr. N. Corless Primary Schools
Mr P. Whelan Primary Schools
Mr. A. Buckingham Under 16 Coaching
Mr. N. Brown ESFA Area Member
Mr A. Mollon Under 18s Assistant Manager
Mr N Addison Under 18 Assistant Manager
Mr A. Clitheroe Under 16s Assistant Manager
Mr D Yarwood Under 16s Assistant Manager
Mr M. Nadal Under 16s Girls Manager
Ms L. Gough Under 16s Girls’ Manager
Ms. K. Sutton Under 16s Girls’ Manager
Ms J. Elliot Under 16s Girls’ Goalkeeping Coach
The assistance provided by these gentlemen and ladies is vital in the delivery of our annual events and the administration of schools’ football throughout the county at all levels.
Council was represented at the following meetings during the season:
English Schools’ FA AGM (Stafford) – M. Duffy, M. Timberlake
Northern Counties FA AGM (Huddersfield) – M. Timberlake
Lancashire Schools’ Sports Federation – M. Duffy
Lancashire SFA/LFA Competition Planning for FA funding – M. Duffy, M. Timberlake, I.Kay (LFA), M. Nadal (LFA & LSFA Girls), Ms J. Sheridan (Senior Competition Manager – Lancashire)
The County Competitions
Primary Schools League 3 associations
Luther Mercer Primary Cup 4 associations
ESFA Qualifier 4 associations
ESFA Qualifier Primary Schools 16 schools
Wrennall Cup (Under 14s) 6 associations
Lancashire Cup (Under 15s) 9 associations
Under 12s LFA Shield 65 schools
Under 13s Coca Cola/Jim Tolson Cup 64 schools
Under 14s Kay Cup 64 schools
Under 15s Jim Hayhurst Cup 63 schools
Under 16s Daily Dispatch Shield 66 schools
ESFA Under 15s Trophy 9 associations
Under 16s ESFA Qualifier 19 nominations
Under 19s Colleges Lancashire Cup 10 colleges
Under 19s Schools Lancashire Cup 16 schools
Under 12s Area Hodkinson Cup 3 associations
Under 13s Area Green Cup 2 associations
Under 14s Area Woodward Cup 7 associations
Under 15s Area Alder Cup 9 associations
Under 13s Girls’ Coca Cola Cup 35 schools
Under 14s Girls’ 7-a-side Cup 28 schoools
Under 16s Girls’ Lancashire Cup 36 schools
Mike Timberlake has ensured that these competitions run to schedule. His usual determination and diplomacy ensured that competitions ran close to schedule despite a season of adverse weather conditions of various kinds and a peculiar Easter holiday pattern which caused postponements and abandonments. The usual problem that makes the task unnecessarily difficult is the failure of some schools to provide results, even when they have won.
The County Competitions
I am grateful to Mike Timberlake for the regular updates on finals, goal scorers, officials and even times of goals – all of which made this section of the report so much easier. Between us, Mike and I managed to cover all the finals in order to take gates and to present trophies and medals.
Girls’ Competitions
Under 12s 5-a-side Indoor Competition: at Corpus Christi Sports College, Preston 13/01/11
Winners: St Augustine’s Billington – M Duffy - Referee & Presentation
Under 13s Girls’ Open Cup: at Nelson FC 20/05/11
Winners: St Bede’s Blackburn 3-0 over Montgomery Blackpool – M Timberlake & A Clitheroe
Under 14s Girls’ 7-a-side at Ste Bede’s Sports College Blackburn 13/.05/11
Winners: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Skelmersdale – Presentation- M Timberlake
Under 16s Girls’ Open Cup at Nelson FC 05/05/11
Ormskirk 1-0 winners over St Wilfrid’s Blackburn
Boys’ Competitions
Under 12s 5-a-side Indoors at Corpus Christi Sports College, Preston 12/01/11
Winners: St Augustine’s Billington – Referee M Duffy, Timekeeper M Timberlake
Presentation – M Duffy & M Timberlake
Under 12s Boys 7-a-side Trophy at St Bede’s Sports College, Blackburn 26/03/11
Winners: Unity College, Burnley – Presentation – M Timberlake & M Duffy
Under 13s Boys’ Open Cup (The Kay Cup) at Nelson FC 05/05/11
Blessed Trinity, Burnley 5-3 winners over Our Lady’s Preston (aet) – Presentation – M Duffy
Under 14s Boys’ Open Cup (The Jim Tolson Cup) at Nelson FC 19/05/11
Blessed Trinity, Burnley 1-0 winners over All Hallows, Penwortham – Presentation – M Duffy
Under 15s Boys’ Open Cup (The Jim Hayhurst Shield) at Burscough FC 12/05/11
Our Lady Queen of Peace Skelmersdale 4 St Bede’s Lytham 1 – Presentation – M Timberlake
Under 16s Boys’ Open Cup (The Daily Dispatch Shield) at Burscough FC 12/05/11
Bacup & Rawtenstall GS 2 Burscough Priory 1 – Presentation – M Timberlake
Under 19s Schools’ Open Cup (LSFA Shield) at Nelson FC 06/05/11
Clitheroe RGS 3 Ripley St Thomas 1 – Presentation – M Timberlake
Under 19s Colleges Open Cup – still not resolved – Blackburn College to play Preston College
District Competitions
The Under 15s Lancashire League Competition (The Timberlake Trophy)
West Lancashire SFA – presentation – M Timberlake and M Duffy
The Under 15s Lancashire Cup (The Lancashire Schools Cup) Nelson FC 19/05/11
West Lancashire SFA 5 Blackpool 1 –presentation – M Timberlake and M Duffy
The Under 14s Lancashire Wrennall Cup
South Ribble 1 Blackpool 0 – prsesentation – M. Timberlake
Primary Competitions
The Under 11s Primary Inter-District League
Blackburn PSFA – Presentation – M Timberlake
The Under 11s Primary Inter-District Cup (The Luther Mercer Shield) at UCLAN Arena Preston
Blackburn PSFA 2 Preston PSFA 1 – Presentation – M Duffy
The Under 11s Inter District 7-a-side Competition & ESFA at St Bede’s Sports College, Blackburn 29/01/11 Blackburn PSFA – Presentation – M Timberlake and M Duffy
The Under 11s Primary Schools 7-a-side IDI Trophy & ESFA Qualifier at Collegiate Sports College Roseacre Blackpool 17/02/11
Winners: Roseacre CPS, Blackpool – Presentation – M Timberlake & M Duffy & Jane Sheridan
The County Representative Teams
The Lancashire CSFA Under 16 Boys
The following boys represented the county at some pont in the season in competition or preparatory games.
Calvin Hare West Lancashire
Jon Fraser Blackpool & District
Ben Proctor Blackpool & District
Ryan Thompson South Ribble
Dominic McCormick South Ribble
Loius Cross Blackburn with Darwen
Robert Walker South Ribble
Ryan Croasdale Lancaster & Morecambe
Tom Berwick Rossendale
Curtis Haley Preston
Ryan Brooks Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
Kane Drelincourt South Ribble
Daniel Birchall Blackburn with Darwen
Jack Hutton South Ribble
Daniel Marland South Ribble
Michael Smith West Lancashire
Scott Tanser Blackpool & District
Daniel Brown Preston
Ben Lavelle (Blackpool & District), assisted by Andy Clitheroe (South Ribble) and Derek Yarwood (Blackpool & District) managed the side. Chris Wood (UClan) was the physiotherapist.
Competition Statistics p w d l f a
10 7 0 3 17 11
Results
Pre-season
v Cumbria at Blackburn Rovers Academy won 5-2
v Burnley at Padiham FC lost 1-2
v Blackburn at Blackburn Academy won 2-0
v Preston at UCLan Arena lost 1-2
v Blackpool at Myerscough drew 1-1
Northern Counties Competition
v Merseyside at Lancaster City won 2-1
vGtr Manchester at Flixton FC won 4-2
v Cheshire at Witton Albion lost 1-2
v West Yorkshire at Lancaster City won 1-0
v Cleveland at Squires Gate won 1-0 NC Semi-Final
v Northumberland at Turf Moor, Burnley drew 2-2 aet (lost 4-5 pens) NC Finall
ESFA Competition
R1 v Cheshire game concededed by Cheshire
R2 v West Yorkshire at Lancaster City FC won 3-0
R3 v Shropshire at Squires Gate FC won 3-2
SF v Humberside at South Hunsley, Melto lost 0-2
The narrow defeats in the ESFA semi-final and particularly in the Northern Counties Final were disappointments at the end of a successful season. Once again two crucial games away from total success – such is the nature of the game. Humberside went on to win the trophy comfortably by a 4-1 score and Mike Hay from Humberside told me that had we reached the final we would have won.- a little consolation for the players and managers.
Lancashire CSFA Under 18s
The following boys represented the county:
Ryan Hallworth Accrington & Rossendale College
Tommy Doyle St Mary’s College Blackburn
Jonny Hession Accrington & Rossendale College
Adam Freeland Newman College Preston
Alex O’Rourke Newman College Preston
Billy Akrigg Morecambe HS
Alex Meaney Myerscough College
Marley Gough Myerscough College
Tutu Chilufya Preston College
Tom Kilifin Our Lady’s HS Lancaster
Nat Taylor Accrington & Rossendale College
Harrison Briggs Blackpool VI Form College
Pim Francke Blackpool VI Form Colllege
Gary Longshaw Preston College
Tom Anderton Accrington & Rossendale College
Matt Moss Newman College Preston
Lee Carruthers Accrington & Rossendale College
Dave Spence (Preston College)and Alastair Mollon (Blackburn College) manged the team, assisted by Neil Addison (Preston College) before his emigration to Australia just before the end of the season.
Statistics
p w d l f a
9 8 0 1 27 5
Results
Pre-Season
V Cumbria at Blackburn Academy won 7-0
Northern Counties
v Merseyside at Nelson won 4-0
V Cheshire at Kings Chester won 4-0
SF v Cleveland at Lancaster Cit y won` 2-1
Final v North Yorkshire at Nelson FC lost 0-1
ESFA
V Merseyside at Nelson FC won 4-1 (aet)
vWest Yorkshire at Nelson FC won 5-0
V Nottinghamshire at Billborough, Nottingha won 5-0
SF v Northumberland at Squires Gate FC won 2-1
Final v Hertfordshire at Sheffield Wed. won 5-4 (pens) 2-2 aet
This was the best season ever for the senior county side, a great achievement from a great group of personable and talented players selected from colleges across the county. This latter factor meant that quality players were available for most of our games. Hopefully the days of difficulties in obtaining the best players from all of our colleges will now be a thing of the past.
Alex Meaney was selected for the ESFA International side and played in all games, whilst Billy Akrigg was so close to final selection. Tom Kilifin and Tutu Chilufya played in ESFA U18 trial games at QEGS Blackburn. Alex and Billy played in the North of England side .
The victory against Hertfordshire in the ESFA Inter-County Championship at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday FC, refereed by World Cup referee Howard Webb, was the highlight of the season.
The Northern Counties Final played on a Saturday late in May against our wishes, even though we were in charge of arrangements and had Turf Moor available earlier in the week, meant that two crucial midfield players, Meaney and Gough, were missing – a factor that was crucial in the final analysis in a narrow 0-1 defeat.
Nevertheless, this was a fine season and congratulations are due to all players and to the management team.
Lancashire County Under 16s Girls
The following girls represented the county:
Sarah Horrocks West Lancashire
Rebecca Palmieri Rossendale
Chantelle Mellor Blackburn with Darwen
Amelia Beaman South Ribble
Olivia Millington Preston
Helen Seed Preston
Evie Manning Blackpool
Emily Farrell Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
Danielle Cross Blackpool
Zoe Rutter South Ribble
Eve Kennerly Blackpool
Emily Lupton Preston
Nicola Shirtcliffe Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
Gemma Bamber Preston
Natasha Roe Preston
Emily Hutton Preston
Carrie Ingham Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
Ellie Mitchell West Lancashire
Hannah Crook Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
Amy Roskell Preston
Beth Stanfield South Ribble
Adena Brown Blackburn with Darwen
Statistics
p w d l f a
7 5 1 2 15 7
Northern Counties Championship
v Merseyside at Nelson FC won 3-0
v West Yorkshire at Squires Gate won 2-1
v Cheshire at Witton Albion FC drew 1-1
v Greater Manchester at Flixton FC won 3-0
SF v Northumberland at Squires Gate FC won 4-0
Final v Durham at Squires Gate FC lost 1-2 (aet)
ESFA
V Durham at Hoghton le Spring lost 1-3
This was a fine first season for Lancashire girls in Northern Counties and ESFA competitions. Our two only defeats were against national champions Durham, an early season loss in Durham, and than a narrow extra time defeat in the Northern Counties Final.
Two girls were rightly selected for the ESFA Girls U15s side, Olivia Millington and Helen Seed, both from Preston, as centre-backs in the England side which beat Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow.
The finest aspect of the season was the splendid team spirit engendered by the management team of Mike Nadal, Kate Sutton, Laura Goff and Jasmine Elliot, who produced a squad of fine players and, equally importantly, a group of personable young ladies.
The fact that several of the girls will be available for selection next season is an added bonus in preparing for hopefully an even better year.
Discipline
The reciprocal policy between Lancashire SFA and the Lancashire FA continues to operate successfully. There were very few incidents in comparison to the tremendous number of games taking place across the county at school, district and county levels across the seven age groups.
Finance
Treasurer Andy Buckingham will present his first financial report for a season, in which success on three fronts meant heavy expenditure and a worrying empty pot in the latter stages. Mike Timberlake’s efforts on the gate at LSFA and Northern Counties finals, especially those at Nelson FC meant that many games not only covered expenses but actually made a profit, so that he was able to recoup some of his considerable expenditures at games. The generosity of Burnley FC and the cooperation of Doug Metcalf meant that we were able to cover all costs with a little profit from the gate. The monies owing to Hon Competition Secretary and Honorary Secretary were recouped and grants from the Lancashire Schools’ Sports Federation were paid so that the accounts were just about in the black at the end of a season that looked bleak financially in the spring. Success these days costs money at our level of football – the vast sums of money going out of the game at the other end of the spectrum and the meagre amounts doled out to grassroots football is galling.
General
Another season in which definitely the optimistic view prevailed:
a) the season’s highlight -National Champions in the ESFA Inter Counties Under 18s Competition, a splendid occasion at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday FC for a great squad of boys and success at last for Dave Spence, Alastair Mollonand the absent (in Australia) Neil Addison
b) Northern Counties league winners at all three levels, but sadly three Northern Counties Finals and three single goal defeats for the 16s Boys, the 16s Girls and the 18s Boys –finalists’ medals for three fine squads of players.
c) Great commitment from the three management teams – Messrs Spence, Mollon and Addison (Under 18s), Messrs Lavelle, Clitheroe and Yarwood (Under 16s ) and a great new enthusiastic management team for the Under 16s Girls – Mike Nadal, Laura Goff, Kate Sutton and Jasmine Elliot.
c) continued high levels of entry in our county competitions for schools and increased entry in primary schools’ competition thanks to Jane Sheridan and her local sports co-ordinators/competition managers.
d) a good spread of winners in the cup competitions from schools across the county with some familiar and some new names on trophies.
e) continued good liaison with our local professional clubs, Accrington Stanley, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Burnley, Morecambe and Preston North End
f) particularly enjoyable occasions for the Northern Counties Finals, despite three narrow defeats. The splendid occasions at Turf Moor, at Squires Gate and at Nelson showed off the county in a particularly good light. Letters of thanks, mention in Northern Counties and ESFA circles all paid tribute to the clubs and their support.
g) a particularly excellent relationship at Nelson FC with Alan Pickering so supportive schools and county competition and groundsman Trevor Lonsdale preparing nt surfaces.
h) the emergence of new fine supporters of LSFA activities - Stuart and his team at Squires Gate and Barry Newsham, Lancaster City FC Secretary and groundsman Peter.
j) a successful coaching course at QEGS Blackburn and pre-season ‘friendlies’, now the regular feature of the smooth transition from one season to the next
j) the great work of Mike Timberlake in his double role as Chairman and competitions secretary, his efforts in contacting under 16 county players and arranging venues, programmes and officials for finals, and not least his efforts on the gate at LSFA finals
k) the work of Andy Buckingham as Treasurer, showing that County duties can be delivered by men already committed to service elsewhere – Andy is also Coaching Director for the u16s, an LFA coach/instructor and is assistant manager of the ESFA Under 18s national side. .
l) the liaison with Iain Kay (LFA) and Jane Sheridan (Senior Competitions Manager) in completing the return to the FA via ESFA for a schools competition plan
m) the truly representative nature of the Under 18s side with cooperation from colleges and schools in this sector contributing to a very successful side.
n) International success at Under 18 level for Alex Meaney, and, a first, two Under 16s grls’ ESFA International players in Olivia Millington and Helen Seed.
p) the team-building and coaching sessions organised by Mike Nadal and his team which produced a splendid girls’ team, so close to success in the first year.
q) Contact via Iain Kay with a new company who will produce a new-format handbook at no cost – another useful link via Iain at the LFA.
r) St Bede’s Sports College Blackburn, winners of the ESFA Under 13s Girls national final 1-0 over Brimsham Green Bristol
s) finally, the little 1920s player is back on the lid of the refurbished (£450) Lancashire Cup – beautifully restored by specialist silversmiths and valued close to a five figure sum.
On the negative side we should take note of
a) low numbers of active members involved the administration of the association and at council meetings.
b) the missing districts in district competitions at under 15 and particularly under 14 level.
c) the inexplicably cavalier attitudes to play-by dates and rules and non-communication of results from some schools, even when they have won.
d) the lack of awareness in some schools and districts about FA laws and ESFA and LSFA competition rules, particularly about age groups in at least two occurrences.
e) the alarming and spiralling decline in district teams at primary level.
f) the problems of agreeing dates and fulfilling some fixtures at county level in spite off our efforts to meet deadlines from and offer viable dates and venues to some opponents.
g) the loss of IDI Consultancy support, Jane Sheridan the Lancashire Senior Competitions Manager and the network of PDMs and Schools competition managers – all victims of cuts by a Schools Minister patently not particularly fond of or even aware of schools’ sports and how it is run.
h) the loss of our fine meeting venue, the cabinet rooms at County Hall, Preston – another minor in this case victim of government cuts
j) the urgent need for younger men to take office and carry the association forward.his is Mike Duffy’s fourth ‘resignation’ as secretary which highlights to the power of four the need for recruitment and new blood.
k) finally, the fact that success costs money meant that LSFA finances are at a low ebb and that the season was completed in late May at the last gasp, thankfully just in the black.
The season ended with a flurry of LSFA finals as well as three Northern Counties Finals in mid to late May which was a great relief, as well as hard work, for M Timberlake and M Duffy.
Already, plans are being made for the coming season with Andy Clitheroe organising the Under 16s summer coaching course at QEGS Blackburn, Mike Nadal arranging girls’ trials and coaching sessions and Dave Spence setting up Under 18s trials for what will be a completely new squad of players.
Acknowledgements
The final section of this report is to thank the many individuals, clubs, companies and associations who have helped Lancashire Schools’ F.A. deliver its programme for the season. The perennial hope is that no-one has been omitted:
The English Schools’ F.A , John Read, Darren Alcock, Ed Mitchell and Mike Spinks for their help and guidance, and particularly Lorna, Dawn and Sue in the office.
The Northern Counties Schools’ F.A., especially Peter Tracey, Chris Newman
ESFA Regional A member Neil Pont, and ESFA Region B member Nigel Brown
County secretaries in the Northern Counties Association and across the country for their assistance in organising games often under difficult circumstances.
The Lancashire F.A.and its officers, particularly Iain Kay and Mike Nadal
Referees Societies across the county, especially the Preston and Nelson & Colne societies
Lancashire County Council
Staff at County Hall, Preston for their help over the past years
Lancashire Schools’ Sports Federation and its officers
Blackburn Rovers F.C. and the Youth Academy staff
Burnley F.C., especially Jeff Taylor and the Centre of Excellence staff
The Board of Burnley FC, Paul Fletcher and Doug Metcalf for the excellent Northern Counties Final arrangements
Preston North End F.C especially Nick Harrison and the Centre of Excellence staff
Blackpool F.C. and the Centre of Excellence staff
Sheffield Wednesday FC and Hillsborough staff for our ESFA Final
Barnoldswick Town F.C., directors and staff,
Burscough FC and staff in a difficult year for the club
Lancaster City FC, especially Barry Newsham for excellent support
Morecambe FC, directors and staff
Nelson F.C. especially Alan Pickering and Trevor Lonsdale
BAe Canberra F.C., Samlesbury
Preston College
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn, the head teacher, sports and ground staff for the use of such excellent facilities for finals, ESFA Regional finals, ESFA U18 trials and the LSFA Summer Coaching Course.
St Bede’s Sports College, Blackburn,, especially Chris Bentley and head John Challenor for their help.
Corpus Christi HS Preston, all the sports staff, Dave Bote and head teacher (and former County manager) Martin Callagher for excellent indoor and outdoor facilities
Staff at UCLAN
UCLAN Sports Science department for provision of physiotherapists at County games, particularly Alex Dexter and Chris Wood
Sponsors of our National competitions
Hassan Ahmed of IDI Consultancy for his support of the U11 ESFA Qualifier for Schools –
Tez Marner at Phillips for excellent printing services over the past years for the handbook.
Our new handbook producers - Community Sport based in Poulton le Fylde
Chris Stringer a student at QEGS for continued advice on the website
Teachers at all levels, primary to tertiary, school team to district and county representative sides in their various roles as coaches, managers, administrators.
Head Teachers and Principals in our schools and colleges for their support in the release of players and staff for matches.
The non-teachers, who are now helping schools’ football in various capacities
Parents, families and supporters of players at all levels for their friendship and support in a long and nearly totally successful season.
M. Duffy
June 10th 2011