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387 Comments
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Boss
08:07 AM on December 18, 2009
yes great shame as some kids would need help in joining clubs at this time before deadline, shame its been spoilt by adults! Just what I expected from the stories i`d heard about junior footbal, what a pity to be proved right.
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Grant
07:48 AM on December 13, 2009
Hmmm, shame the menu link at the top has gone - it's only because I had it bookmarked that I can still get in.
I'd like to think the abusive posts have stopped and we can get back to a civilised debate.
I'd like to think the abusive posts have stopped and we can get back to a civilised debate.
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Grant
04:24 AM on December 09, 2009
My grading suggestion was intended just for the transition from U10 to U11 when relative team strengths are much more of an unknown. As DW states, hopefully next year the U12 leagues should be much more evenly balanced. Also, it shouldnt be necessary to have it run pre-season - there appears to be enough leeway at the end of the season to have these games during the first weeks of what is currently the regular season?
Maurice, I agree. Requiring teams to affiliate as second teams is just another example of petty FA bureaucracy for the sake of it.
Maurice, I agree. Requiring teams to affiliate as second teams is just another example of petty FA bureaucracy for the sake of it.
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Maurice Allen
07:30 PM on December 08, 2009
The concept of having a tournament to seed teams at the start of the U11 league is a very good one and has worked very well in the Midland Junior Premier Football League where teams were put into groups of four geographically, played each other twice with the results determining which division the teams would be in. The consequence, certainly at U16 level which I follow, is that it is nigh impossible to predict a result. This idea should be implemented in this league to avoid the same clubs automatically being graded as Division One clubs, and I speak as the Chairman of Allexton & New Parks who tend to benefit from the current practice.
In respect of whether 9v9 or 11v11 is most appropriate for progression at U11 the answer is obvious, it should be 9 v 9 for all until U13. The problem is that most clubs do not have the facilities or resources to provide proper sized pitches and goals, how many games at U11 do we see played on adult-sized pitches with adult-sized goals? - totally inappropriate.
Finally, are there too many clubs? Could a better system be to have fewer clubs with more teams and a greater flexibility to move players between those teams? We currently have the ludicrous system of having to affiliate "second" teams as separate clubs - what was wrong with having reserve and "A" teams?
In respect of whether 9v9 or 11v11 is most appropriate for progression at U11 the answer is obvious, it should be 9 v 9 for all until U13. The problem is that most clubs do not have the facilities or resources to provide proper sized pitches and goals, how many games at U11 do we see played on adult-sized pitches with adult-sized goals? - totally inappropriate.
Finally, are there too many clubs? Could a better system be to have fewer clubs with more teams and a greater flexibility to move players between those teams? We currently have the ludicrous system of having to affiliate "second" teams as separate clubs - what was wrong with having reserve and "A" teams?
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chris
04:02 PM on December 08, 2009
Problem with 9v9 is when we come to under13s everybody has to be 11 a-side.
So maybe when we come to under 13s they may be a number of teams fold who cannot upgrade from 9v9.
Call me old fashioned but when i was a kid we played 11v11 at a very young age.
So maybe when we come to under 13s they may be a number of teams fold who cannot upgrade from 9v9.
Call me old fashioned but when i was a kid we played 11v11 at a very young age.
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DW
02:22 PM on December 08, 2009
Grant says...
Given that there seems to be some significant mismatches in all the leagues would it make sense to have some kind of pre/early season grading games to try to match teams more evenly? Like Whetstone we are going to have finished our league campaign by February. Playing, say, 4 games at the beginning to get a better handle on the relative strengths of teams would result in more balanced leagues IMO.
Also, would having Division 1 to 6 make more sense than what we have now? I know one of the Div 4S managers expected there to be between 7 and 9 divisions and so applied to be put into Div 4. I don't think geography would be an issue - 5 of our 8 away games already involve round trips of 30+ miles. Going to (for example) Quorn, Coalville or Melton isn't going to make that much difference or convince my club/parents not to run a team.
Just my 2p worth.
Grant - if you look at the Under 12's you will see they are Divs 1 to 6 so only assume we will follow suit next year. Pretty sure those leagues will be based solely on how teams performed this season so can't see the pre-season idea being a runner personally - usually so many players away on holiday I can't see it being much use. The danger is a team that has struggled this year attracts a few players and ends up in the wrong league. Don't think too many of the 9 a side teams will go 11 a side do you ?
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chris
05:48 AM on December 08, 2009
Depends on how many teams carry on next year...
It has been tough for 11 a side teams this year as when we all moved up from 7v7 a lot of teams went 9v9.
This made very few players looking for new clubs.
If you look at Divison 4 central they only have 8 teams..
We could also end up having some very good 9v9 teams join 11v11 next season which again teams may be put a league
that will either be to easy or hard for them.
I agree with you Grant.That would be a good idea.
At the end of the day do strong teams really want to be thrashing the opposition every week.Much more teams dont want to be thrashed neither.
It has been tough for 11 a side teams this year as when we all moved up from 7v7 a lot of teams went 9v9.
This made very few players looking for new clubs.
If you look at Divison 4 central they only have 8 teams..
We could also end up having some very good 9v9 teams join 11v11 next season which again teams may be put a league
that will either be to easy or hard for them.
I agree with you Grant.That would be a good idea.
At the end of the day do strong teams really want to be thrashing the opposition every week.Much more teams dont want to be thrashed neither.
Reply
Grant
05:30 AM on December 08, 2009
Given that there seems to be some significant mismatches in all the leagues would it make sense to have some kind of pre/early season grading games to try to match teams more evenly? Like Whetstone we are going to have finished our league campaign by February. Playing, say, 4 games at the beginning to get a better handle on the relative strengths of teams would result in more balanced leagues IMO.
Also, would having Division 1 to 6 make more sense than what we have now? I know one of the Div 4S managers expected there to be between 7 and 9 divisions and so applied to be put into Div 4. I don't think geography would be an issue - 5 of our 8 away games already involve round trips of 30+ miles. Going to (for example) Quorn, Coalville or Melton isn't going to make that much difference or convince my club/parents not to run a team.
Just my 2p worth.
Also, would having Division 1 to 6 make more sense than what we have now? I know one of the Div 4S managers expected there to be between 7 and 9 divisions and so applied to be put into Div 4. I don't think geography would be an issue - 5 of our 8 away games already involve round trips of 30+ miles. Going to (for example) Quorn, Coalville or Melton isn't going to make that much difference or convince my club/parents not to run a team.
Just my 2p worth.
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Neil Wright
03:35 AM on December 08, 2009
DON? T SPEND ALL SEASON IN A TEAM YOUR NOT HAPPY IN,IF YOU?RE SITTING ON THE BENCH A LOT OR UNHAPPY WITH YOUR TEAM, TRANSFER DEADLINE IS ONLY FOUR WEEKS AWAY.
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We are looking for quality players to strengthen our squad. We are a friendly Club with excellent football facilities. We can offer quality coaching. Our aim is for player development and to improve technical ability - any success on that is an added bonus. If you feel your son needs a new challenge or looking for a new club please get in touch. We would welcome along quality players who have the commitment and dedication necessary to be a successful player.
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Enquire about this fantastic opportunity please contact Neil Wright on 07969577285 or Email: neilwright3@sky.com for more details'
Groby Juniors U12s
We are looking for quality players to strengthen our squad. We are a friendly Club with excellent football facilities. We can offer quality coaching. Our aim is for player development and to improve technical ability - any success on that is an added bonus. If you feel your son needs a new challenge or looking for a new club please get in touch. We would welcome along quality players who have the commitment and dedication necessary to be a successful player.
Groby Juniors FC recognised as one of the top Junior Football Clubs in Leicestershire. The club holds FA Charter status and all coaches are FA qualified and CRB validated.
Enquire about this fantastic opportunity please contact Neil Wright on 07969577285 or Email: neilwright3@sky.com for more details'
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