A massive well done to the Under 12's and Under14's who have both been successful in reaching the semi-finals of their age group in the BYFL Cup, the under 12's are carrying on where they left off last year as under 11's and still remain unbeaten in the league and all cup competitions and a special mention to the under 14's who last year came close to folding due to player shortages and other commitments as they also remain unbeaten in the league as well as progressing to these cup semi-finals.

This last month has been very positive month for the Club with player numbers increasing each week especially within the younger age groups, it is nice to have players join on recommendation to their parents from others, we have seen the under 10's break their losing game streak and then follow it up a week later with their second win of the season, a testament to the players determination. The under 11's are playing some great football and winning games with plenty of skill and loads of effort, the under 15's have set off on a winning streak that has seen them climb the table steadily to be within touching distance of the top, the under 9's are playing some great football but without having the luck that you sometimes need to win the game, but they sit comfortably mid table.

The weather has started to turn very cold and with it we are starting to get some cancellations so please keep close to your manager for updates, training will carry on regardless unless we feel it will endanger the child then we will take the necessary decision to postpone or shorten the sessions, the safety and well-being of the child has to be paramount.

Please remember that the Club will be holding its Christmas Party, primarily for the younger children on December 10th, if you want to book your place please see Kerrie Gough (under 10's).

On a more serious note CYFC have been inspired to try and raise some monies to support a local boy who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, James Boobier of the under 11's has put together a raffle supported by donations of gifts and services from within his own team's parents, if you would like to support the raffle please see James at training each Saturday at Kings Park or contact me and I will pass on your messages. The Club will also be entering four teams in a tournament at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre towards the end of December with all profits also going to the family of this young boy.

I would like to wish all players and parents a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Mark Duffy

A little late posting this month, apologies for this.

All the boys now have their training and wet weather jackets and they look great, many thanks to our sponsor In-Excess who has provided the bulk of the money for these, the boys from the under 12's are pictured on the site wearing these.

On the field the players are working hard in training and delivering some great results, the under 12's and under 14's are still unbeaten this year, the under 11's are starting to find their form and making winning a habit, the under 10's have won their first match this weekend in the league and the under 9's are still maintaining their form even if the results have not always gone their way, the under 15's are also starting to hit their form now and sit comfortably mid table.

At training we are seeing new players each week attending sessions from recommendations of other clubs and from within our own parents, this is particularly satisfying as it gives confidence to us all that what we are trying to do, in creating a safe and respectful club is paying off and we now have record numbers turning up each week especially within the younger age groups for some fun but developing training.

I want to thank all the players, parents, managers and supporters for helping so manfully at the recent Bonfire Night event at Stanpit, it was a great success and spread the name of the Club to many people and we did gain some new players that night from this event, it just shows that when we all pull together we can be very successful. Whilst we also raised some extra funds that night, it was more important that people connected wit their home town club.

Following on from a recent meeting of the BYFL management committee and the issue of respect and child protection being witnessed at other clubs it is important that all our players, parents, managers and supporters abide by the Code of Conducts that we as a Charter Standard Club has in place, they are about respect, sportsmanship and playing in a fair way as well as being about ambassadors for the Club wherever we play. I am proud of what we achieve at the Club and I want this Club to set the standards for local youth football, too often at the moment we are hearing about blatant cheating in matches, poor supporter behaviour, un-sportsmanlike behaviour from players and abuse of officials and opposing teams, we should not and cannot be part of this. When you hear of managers taking their players off the pitch because of the abuse they are receiving from the opposing playing team and their spectators and of the police being called to a match because of crowd trouble between parents, you know that this is wrong and has no place in the game and certainly no place in youth football.

What our players and children are meant to be involved with is meant to be the beautiful game of football, but it is only a game and we as parents and adults should be setting the example for them to follow, to enjoy and to stay part of for the longer term, lets not try and live out our own playing frustrations and expend our own pent up aggression whilst on the touchline supposedly supporting the team and the players. We should be as generous in defeat as we are when we win because it is right and proper to do so.

Mark Duffy