Newsletter - June 20

Hope you are all keeping well and safe.

At long last we appear to be seeing an easing of lockdown and I know for most of you some form of football training has started up again. I know it’s hard when there is no physical contact however, I know my young under 9’s are having to think more about getting the ball around the pitch by having to pass. I’ve been playing 3 touch walking football with 2 metre distancing and they haven’t found it easy. The way they now think about the game has vastly improved. We`ll see 🤞

A lot`s been happening since the last newsletter and all of a sudden all the hard work put in by everyone is starting to pay off.

The Financials

Financially the club has managed to raise sufficient funds to purchase all the football kits and rain Jackets for every player  and I have to say it’s all looking very smart We have now applied to the HSBC for a community account. Although I think it will be several weeks before they set it up. With registration fees , sponsorship money and fund raising we have managed to raise  £ 9,632-00p. The kits have been the biggest cost and the final total will be around £6,600-00. The balance will be used for much needed equipment , pitch fees  and any unforeseen costs, plus we have had to pay an annual Insurance premium of £203-70p.

Registrations

Registration of all players have now been completed and it is vital that you reply to the FA e mail confirming your child’s registration. Failure to confirm registration will mean they are not eligible to play and I don’t want to be the one to tell them.

A Sparkly New Website

If you are reading this newsletter, then you will  all be aware that Southport Athletic JFC now has it’s own website, which even though it’s still in its infancy looks Superb. All the information you should ever need is easily available on the site at the click of a button. Hopefully this will cut the whatsapp messages down to a 1,000 per day. The web site has been designed and funded by Matthew Lawson, whose son ,Oliver, plays for Shaun’s under 11’s. A massive thank you to Matthew for all his hard work and knowhow and I’m sure you will all agree it’s an excellent asset to the club. 👏👏👏

Fund Raising

Just to remind you that next Month Martyn is doing his 100 mile run in an attempt to raise funds for the club and despite the money raised so far we are still £2,500 short of our fundraising target. Martyn has always given all of us his time and advice and that hasn’t changed since changing from Phoenix. He’s involved in whatsapp groups with all the teams, the managers group and I’ve seen him at several training sessions lately, freely giving up his own time. He’s provided all the FA information for the Web site and has been very active in helping the committee make the right decisions going forward. It would be a nice gesture and token of everyone’s appreciation if we could support Martyn in this challenge. If every player ( not just, Mum’s and Dad’s) just donated £2 that would be £260 and I for one think that makes him excellent value for money. Good luck Martyn. Come on everyone let’s get behind him.

·       This month has seen Peter Clarke, club Treasurer and assistant coach to Ben Minto’s successful under 10’s team, finally succumb to waxing his legs and Bikini line (it still brings tears to my eyes when I type that🤣). Peter raised £475 for the club, which is not a lot for the anguish suffered by him in the lead up. Seriously that’s a terrific effort and a Big Thank you Peter from everyone.

“We are still £2,500 short of our fundraising target”

For those who don’t know Peter he has been in football professionally since he was 14 years of age.  Being a nosy parker I wanted to know more about life as a professional footballer and Peter kindly granted me an interview to talk about his career in football. ( I think I’m Gary Lineker, don’t I?☺). This is what Peter had to say when I spoke to him.

Interview with Peter Clarke

1. Who do you currently play for and what position do you play? 

Currently Play for Tranmere Rovers as a centre back 

2. How old are you ( don’t have to say) 

Although I like to tell people I’m 21 I’m actually 38. 

3. Where were you born, if not in Southport when did you move to Southport 

I was born in Southport on the 3rd January 1982 

4. Wife’s Name ( daren’t ask how old)(how long married)( does she like the term Wag) 

I’ve been married to Lisa for 12 years and she hates the term WAG with a passion. 

5. How many children ( names and ages)( do you have aspirations for them to be successful footballers?) 

We have 4 children, Sophie 11, Cameron 9 and Millie 8 who both play for SAJFC and Evie who is 6. Both Cameron and Millie have aspirations to be professional footballers when they are older but as long as they are Happy and healthy I just want them to enjoy whatever it is they do.

6. Which school/s did you go to 

I went to Churchtown primary school & Birkdale high school, although I left there age 14 to take up a football scholarship at Lilleshall in Shropshire, the then national sports centre where we trained on a daily basis and attended the local comprehensive called Idsall

7. Which football team do you support and has that changed from when you were a kid? 

I’m a Liverpool fan 

8. When did you start playing football as a kid and who did you play for before becoming professional. 

I started playing footy when i was about 3 or 4 as my dad used help take my cousins footy team training so I would tag along and then started to join in, I then from being 6 played for Birkdale united in the Craven Minor league

9. When did you decide you wanted to be a professional footballer and how did it happen. 

I was probably about 8 or 9 when I decided I wanted to be a professional footballer. When playing for Birkdale united a scout from Everton came to a game and maybe saw something in me & I was asked to go for a trial, after a successful trial I then became part of their centre of excellence which are now known as academies and progressed through the various Age groups, the reserves & eventually into the first team

10. What teams have you played for during your career 

Everton, Blackpool, Southend United, Huddersfield Town, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers. 

11. Which team did you enjoy playing for the most and why 

I probably enjoyed the early part of my time at Huddersfield the most as we had a great group of lads, a real togetherness and a great team spirit. Our manager at the time was former Newcastle Utd midfielder, Lee Clark.

12. What is your most memorable moment as a footballer? 

I’ve been a pro for 21 years now so I’ve got 3,

1. Every time I wore the England shirt from under 15 to under 21 age groups was always very special,

2. Being a local lad and getting named man of the match in a Merseyside derby was a great feeling and

3. Captaining The Huddersfield Town team to a playoff final against Sheffield Utd and winning 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0- draw was very special. It’s the kind of thing you dream about as a kid playing in the streets or school playground.

13. What was the worst moment of your career 

The worst moment was probably losing a playoff final, a 60 game season ended and it felt like I had been hit with a wrecking ball. It was the season before beating Sheffield Utd. on penalties. We lost 3-0 against Peterborough at Old Trafford . Never an easy ground for Merseysider’s

14. Have you ever played at Wembley? If not the best ground you’ve played at? 

I was lucky enough to play at the twin towers Wembley in an under 15 England v Brazil international and also at the new Wembley so that’s probably the best followed by Anfield & the Olympic stadium in Berlin

15. How do you relax outside of football ( if golf or something are you good at that as well) 

I’ve got 4 kids so I’m a taxi to them and enjoy supporting them and their interests too so, no time for golf. Don’t think I have the patience either

16. After you finish your playing career will you stay in football? If not, what will you do? 

I have taken my coaching badges so that is an avenue I could go down when I finish playing. I have also done some punditry work with Sky TV, commentating with various radio stations throughout my career and I’ve also had some conversations about becoming an intermediary, AKA an agent.  

17. Do you enjoy being part of grass roots football? I know you’re involved with SAJFC 

I thoroughly enjoy being part of grass roots football, I assist our joint secretary Ben Minto with SAJFC under 10’s 

18. Did you enjoy the leg and the bikini wax 

I didn’t think the bikini wax was going to be too bad but, once it started I was very much mistaken and couldn’t wait for it to be done.  (Sorry mate but the Video is hilarious and are you sure your girls Love you?)

19. What advice would you give to any youngster looking to become a professional footballer? 

I would always tell any individual with aspirations to be a professional footballer to try your best, always work as hard as you can, to practice and most of all to enjoy it! 

20.     Finally who would you say was the best player you played against?

I played against Thierry Henry when he was part of the Invincibles team and he was brilliant but, the best player I have ever played against has to be Cristiano Ronaldo, he is something else. ( not what I wanted to hear as a Big Liverpool fan 🤣)                                   

I really enjoyed chatting with Peter and it left me wanting to know a lot more about him and the professional game. One thing I did discover is that Peter was very modest about his long and successful career and despite his huge knowledge of the game he doesn’t in any way feel the need to interfere with the running of our club, although always there to help and advise if needed. He’s even Ben’s assistant ☺. I hope in the future Peter will allow me chat with him again.

Thanks Peter and good luck in the future with Tranmere Rovers.

One Last thing

Finally can I ask all parents to complete all the registration information requested by the FA and respond promptly to any request for information on your Whatsapp groups? Paul and Ben are working extremely hard behind the scenes and prompt attention to requested information does make life a little easier for them.

I hope the next Newsletter will be talking about the new season ahead for all of us 🤞🤞.

In the meantime please stay safe and follow the Government guidelines. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

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