Newsletter - April 2021
Easter Weekend saw the return of the football season for us all, at long last.
Overall it was a successful weekend for most of our teams to win or draw. Unfortunately, I saw my team lose although, it was to one of our other teams 😞 it was a very hard-fought contest and thoroughly entertaining. Paul Mullen and I also got to watch our under 16s at Devonshire Road on Easter Saturday. The standard of play was excellent with our boys winning 2-0 again, in a very tight game. If you find time to get down to some of the games to support the club teams, you will not be disappointed. The standard of football is exceptional. I would also just like to comment on how well it looks to see all the players and coaches wearing the club jackets at games the image we are portraying is second to none.
With regards to the current Covid guidelines, we would just like to remind everyone of the current rules regarding grassroots football.
As long as the games are held in a public field more spectators are permitted. So this means more family members can now watch their child play. As usual, the rules are still confusing and at games, we still need to observe social distancing rules. For more information on this please go to the following link to read more.
If anyone can explain it please feel free to email me.🤣🤣🤣
Social distancing must be maintained by everyone attending games and training.
Please remember to use “Sponds” to advise manager if playing or not. This forms the basis of our track and trace set up.
As advised in the last Newsletter the bank account is now up and running and payment of subs started again on the 1st of April. Some parents have forgotten to change the bank details and have been paying money into the old temporary account so can everyone check payments are going into the correct account going forwards. This will save a lot of time in the administration of the account.
Just to remind you the New account details are:-
NatWest Bank Details:
Name of Account: Southport Athletic Junior Football Club
Sort Code: 60-20-11
Account Number: 44647662
Please remember to state the name of the child and age group e.g. Billy Smith Under 16s. Again this will save a lot of time trying to reconcile payments.
Again we would remind all parents that cash will not be accepted by the managers. After what has gone on previously with Phoenix, payments have to be directly into the club account.
Whilst we are on the subject of Phoenix most have you will have seen in the news that the couple accused of stealing all our money appeared in court in March and the case has been referred to the Crown Courts. I understand the hearing at Liverpool will be on the 19th of April 2021. We will keep you fully informed as and when we have more information.
So what else have we been doing during the last month?
Our club treasurer Peter Clarke played in the Wembley final for Tranmere Rovers on March 14th. Unfortunately, they were on the wrong side of a 1-0 result against Sunderland. It was a very tight game and the result could have gone either way. Unlucky Peter. Maybe see you there in the playoffs in front of a crowd.
New goals for the five and seven a side teams have been purchased. These were desperate as the existing goals were getting beyond repair. The new goals are metal and fold away which should save a lot of time for the managers setting up for games.
Assuming all goes well with the government plans to ease lockdown we can sort an AGM out for everyone who wants to come along. At the AGM we will be looking to set up a parents committee. The parents’ committee will then be represented at all committee meetings so parents can be heard through representation. Anyone who may be interested in participating on the proposed committee please make contact either, through your manager or directly to the club secretaries.
Please don`t forget to keep Saturday July 24th clear for the club presentation day at Southport Rugby Club on Waterloo Road. All players will receive a trophy in addition to which trophies will also be awarded for the following categories in each team.
1. Managers Player of the year
2. Parents player of the Year
3. Players player of the year
Let`s hope we have good weather on the day and no government restrictions. ☀☀☀☀
The club would like to wish Lucas Barclay, who plays for the under 11’s, a very speedy recovery. Lucas has broken his ankle😬😬😬. Although I understand it wasn`t actually playing football. Get well soon Lucas and I know your team want you back playing.
Finally, we are looking for a Calor gas tea Urn at Ferryside so we can serve hot drinks on cold days. To purchase new they are very expensive. So if you, or anyone you know, have one they want to get rid of please let us know. Someone out there may even want to carry out a sponsored challenge to raise funds for a new one 🙏🙏. I will start with a £20 donation if you do.
Finally, I know I say this in every Newsletter but would really like to post something in the Newsletter sent in by a reader. It can be about anything, not just football related.
If you would like to post anything in our newsletter or, have any questions, please feel free to e mail me at alanmccoombe05@gmail.com