Darley Dale Juniors FC News from 2008-09 Season

Early Summer 2008 - A New Beginning for the Club

Plans to start Mini soccer teams at Darley Dale were now in full swing with the majority of children attending the Saturday Soccer School all keen to join the club for the forthcoming 2008 season.

As the sessions progressed and the number of children increased further, the 3 coaches were in desperate need of help and asked for any parents interested in helping coach the children to join in and help out. Initially they were joined by John Dunsby and Michael Charlton (both experienced local footballers), and Mitch Blythe, whose children attended the Saturday sessions. Julie Marsden, Bev Seddon and Julie Wilson also helped out by providing refreshments.

By the Middle of June the number of children attending each Saturday had increased to 65 and the coaches had been joined by 2 more experienced local footballers Darren Longley and Aaron O'Neill. At the end of June 2008 the children took part in a fundraising 6 a side tournament against other local teams at the Darley Dale Fun Day to help provide kits for the new teams.

Late Summer 2008 - Four New Teams Named

July saw preparations begin in earnest for the new season. John, Steve and Rob wrote to local businesses to try and obtain sponsorship for kits and equipment for the teams, along with organising quiz nights and a second six a side tournament. The hard work by everyone involved paid off - a number of sponsors were found, and along with other funds raised, the club was in a position to enter the following 4 new teams for the forthcoming season:

Mini-Soccer teams: Age Group Manager Assistant Sponsors Under 7's Darren Longley Aaron O'Neill Mintons Carpets and Escape Yoga Centre,Matlock Under 8's John Dunsby Michael Charlton Bridge Thermoplastics and Escape Yoga Centre, Matlock Under 10's Mitch Blythe Pete Smethurst Creation Studios and Platts Harris, Darley Dale Under 11's Rob Wilson Steve Bailey Peak Building, Rowsley

The success of the Saturday soccer school surpassed all expectations, and for the first time Darley Dale Juniors had teams competing in the Rowsley Mini Soccer league.

Throughout the 2008-2009 season, more children joined the 4 new teams and by the end of the playing season and the start of the 2009 Saturday Soccer School in April 2009 it was obvious that more mini soccer teams were needed to enable all the children to play for the club.

See Also...

Photos of the 2008-2009 Season

Keywords : darley dale juniors fc news and history 2009-10 season