Sandgate Football Club celebrated one of their best seasons with a Presentation Day to remember.
Photos of the event can be seen and purchased (very reasonable) at:- http://tinyurl.com/sandgatefc
See our Photo Gallery for images sent in to our web site
On the field we have had one of our most successful seasons. On the senior front our Men’s first team came third in the Middlesex County league, won the Jim Rogers League cup and were runners up in the Senior Open cup (losing on penalties). Our Men’s Reserve team finished mid table in the reserve division and also were runners up in the Jeff Nardin League Cup. Not bad considering they were our under 16’s two seasons ago.
This season’s under 16’s won the Double, winning the Middlesex County cup and also the West Surrey Youth League Premier Elite division.
Our under 15’s A came third in the Premier Elite division and the 15’s B won the West Middlesex & Hayes Premier Division.
The Under 13’s were runners up in the West Surrey Premier and gained promotion to the Elite division next season. They were also runners up in the Middlesex County Cup.
The under 12’s won the West Middlesex & Hayes division one title scoring over 100 goals. Not to be outdone the 11’s also won the WSYL division two.
At mini soccer level the trend continued, with our under 10’s ‘A’ finishing fourth in the West Middlesex & Hayes division one and runners up in the League Cup Final.
The under 10’s B were crowned Division Two champions.
Our under 9’s ‘A’ & B started their first year in competitive football. The ‘A’ team completed the Double, winning the West Middlesex & Hayes Premier division and the League Cup. The Under 9’s B were newly formed at the start of the season. They lost their first game in the league 8-0. The return fixture 5 months later they won 4-1. Definitely a team for the future.
The under 8’s started off the season the way they finished the last by winning most of their games. With the influx of additional players the squad has become very strong as they enter competitive football next season.
16 boys graduated from our Mini kickers to under 7’s. A few more boys joined, and two teams were formed. They started their Sandgate football careers in the West Middlesex & Hayes Youth League. Unfortunately by Christmas the division had folded and the teams were moved to the West Surrey Youth League. The Arrows completed the season unbeaten, and scoring well over 100 goals. The Blades won the majority of their games and again with the influx of additional players they are going from strength to strength.
With so many new players we may have to start a Colts team next Season.
Tragically, the sad loss of one of our under 9‘s, Enoch Gbotta, in January weighed heavy on the hearts of our club. On a recent visit to the family house I was asked to thank everyone at Sandgate for their tremendous support and help. I was presented with two bottles of Champagne by a member of the family. I said at the time I would save it for a special occasion. The first bottle was opened when the under 9‘s won the League and the second when they won the League Cup… A fitting tribute.
At the beginning of the season, the West Middlesex & Hayes Youth League asked if we could hold the U9 & U10 League Cup Finals. We accepted and 8 months later we gave them the best cup finals the League has ever seen, with a Sandgate team in both. A crowd of over 400 watched both finals.
The Royal wedding bank holiday weekend saw Sandgate on tour in Great Yarmouth. A fantastic weekend was had by all (and the football wasn’t bad either). Our under 7’s played up a year, and held their own against some strong under 8 sides. The under 9’s carried on their league form winning the tournament and bringing home their third trophy of the season. The 13’s just had a good time!
A special mention to U10’s - Chai Roberts & Josh Raeburne, U11’s - Adam Harper, Elliot Byrne, Callum Williams, James Hope & Connor Goodliff, U12’s - Nathan Rose, Taylor Elliot, U13’s - Charlie Cahill, Altin Hoda & Yasha Najafi and U16’s - Billy Ross, who today will receive their 5 year loyalty awards.
Finally, I would like to thank all the team managers, coaches, committee members and parents who give a tremendous amount of time and effort in running Sandgate Football Club.
If you would like to get involved or know a company who would like to sponsor Sandgate, please contact your team Manager or one of the committee members.
Here’s to another successful season.
Rob Bevis
Vice Chairman
Sandgate Football Club.
