17th Jan 2010 

I regret to have to advise parents and players that the U17 team is being disbanded for this season.  This has not been an easy decision to make and we have delayed this hoping that attendance at training and availability for matches would improve. Unfortunately this did not materialize and  we have to accept the fact that the team is in a terminal decline, things are not improving and not likely to improve.      

This decision to fold the team is mainly due to a lack of players able to attend training and matches on a regular basis. Already this season the Club has been required to attend a disciplinary for being unable to fulfill a fixture and we have only avoided further disciplinaries due to matches being cancelled because of the weather. 

Some of the reasons which have led to the decision to fold the team are:

  • On the last two training sessions only 3 and 2 registered players respectively have been in attendance.
  • Unable to raise a team for any of the most recent fixtures.
  • Failure of players to advise whether they will be attending training or matches.
  • Unable to find a common time and day for training to suit a  majority of players. 
  • Many players having other more important committments.
  • Faliure to find a regular goal keeper.
  • The likelihood of further cancelled matches and fines.

I would like to thank all those players who gave their time, energy and committment to the team over the years and this season. Also those parents and coaches that have supported and helped the Club.

My thanks especially to Darin Brown for his  help and committment to the team over the last  5 years.

I would be grateful if all players wth kits (other than those they have purchased) could return them as soon as possioble to myself or Darin.

On behalf of all those at the Club I would like to wish you all the best for the future and hope you stay involved with football.

Mark Elwen
Club Secretary


5th Jan 2011

Training is ON TONIGHT 6-7


21st Dec  2010 - Training

The next training will be on 5th Jan 2011. Have a Good Christmas & New Year

16th Dec 2010 - IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL PLAYERS
 
On Wed 15th December we had only 3 registered players and one non-registered player attend training. I had heard from 3 players in total that they would not be attending. This is following a 3 week break and with no other training scheduled before our next match this Sunday (19th Dec).
 
I believe everyone now needs to consider carefully whether they wish to continue with the Club and if so in what way it continues.
 
My own philosophy is that if I am involved with something I give it 100%. For me to continue with the team I would require all players to sign up to the Player/Club agreement on this website. This may or may not be your philosophy but it does mean that unless a majority of those wishing to continue the team are of the same mind then it will be impossible for me to continue with the team.
 
There is no right or wrong point of view on this but it is important that everyone is in agreement as to what is expected from everyone else.
 
I have deliberately worded the agreement to state ‘wherever possible’ for attending training etc. I appreciate that some of you do make a huge effort to catch buses etc to get to training but if the reality is that this is practically impossible for you to attend on a regular basis then we have to be realistic as to whether there is any point in holding training at all.
 
If I do step down this does not necessarily mean the end of the team. It is quite possible for it to carry on run by someone else.
 
I have already asked all players to advise me if you will be able to play this Sunday, 19th Dec. If the match goes ahead then after the match I will ask you for your decision on whether you wish to sign up to the agreement or not.
 
If we do not have enough players for the match on Sunday I will make my own decision based on this.
 
If you want to let me have your thoughts prior to Sunday that is fine.
 
Mark


12th Dec 2010

With the change in the weather training will hopefully be on this Wed 15th Dec 6-7pm John Smetaon. Due to the break we have had it is imperative we have as many players as possible attending. Certainly those wanting to play on Sunday should be in attendance.

Now the ice and snow have gone please start working on your fitness, do not rely on one hours training on Wed to make you match fit for Sunday.

PLEASE NOTE MANY PLAYERS ARE NOW OVERDUE ON THEIR SUBS - PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING THESE WITH YOU TOMORROW AND FOR NEW PLAYERS £10 KIT DEPOSITS IN ADDITION.

28th Nov - Subs

PLEASE NOTE

1) Subs are now required from ALL players except those who are up to date.

2) New players need to provide a kit deposit of £10


11th November - Wortley (Away) 13th NOVEMBER

One Step Forward Two steps back;

What should have been a squad of 12 turned out to be a squad of 9 (later 10) to take on LCJ last week, due to further inujuries and a player (again) stating they were playing but not turning up (highly amusing).

This week is still touch and go but in a couiple of weeks we will hopefully have one or two more players registered and back from injury.

Azie
Bilbey
Brown
Firth
Gromocki
Hullock*
Johnson
Leigh
McPartlan
McVeigh
Paiva*
Stuart

*If fit 

2pm KO, Please be at ground for 1.30. YELLOW kit.

Google Map:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=53.783732,-1.623434&daddr=12+Lawns+Ln,+Leeds,+West+Yorkshire+LS12+5DD+(New+Farnley+Cricket+Club)&hl=en&geocode=%3BCfUPLrA1zaf1FTOTNAMdtkDn_yG0TNd8lky0Pw&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=53.783314,-1.622345&sspn=0.001157,0.003138&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18
 


4th Nov - LEEDS CITY JUNIORS (HOME) 7TH NOV

KO 2pm  Yellow kit  Please be atground for 1.30

Squad:

Azie
Benson
Bilbey
Brown
Firth
Gromocki*
Johnson
Leigh
McPartlan
Mcveigh*
Paiva
Stuart*

* see below

We do require a volunteer/volunteers for keeper.



4th Nov - Light at the End of the Tunnel

The past 2 weeks have been extremely difficult with the departure of 5 players at the same time. Added to this players who have not been able to make matches have meant calling off one match and playing with an understrength squad in the last match (and of course losing the keeper 20 mins in to the match).

The injuries to Zanda and Ashley against Leeds City Juniors this week mean they too will be out for a number of weeks (fortunately Zanda's injury has proved not to be a break so he will be out for a shorter time than originally expected.) 

But the good news...

I saw very little of the game on Sunday due to the visit to casualty, but Darin tells me that the team spirit and attitude was excellent.
 
The League have agreed to do their best to get the new players registered in time for Sunday's game.*

It was touch and go whether the team would continue (and it is still not certain) but it is possible we are through the worst and well done to those of you who have stuck with it and not given up. Remember - if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger!

But a word of caution - we have replaced nearly one third of the squad mid season and two thirds of the squad from last season. Don't expect too much too soon.

29th Oct - LEEDS CITY JUNIORS (AWAY) 31ST OCT

Squad

Azie
Benson
Brown
Bilbey
Byrne
Elwen
Firth
Hullock
Johnson
Leigh
McPartlan
Paiva

Please be at ground for 1.30.
KO 2pm

YELLOW KIT

Adel pitches, Church Lane, Adel

www.leedscityjuniors.org/directions




22nd Oct - KIPPAX (AWAY) 24TH OCT

Squad:

Azie
Benson
Bilbey
Byrne
Elwen
Hullock
Johnson
Leigh
Paiva
Rose

Kick Off - 2pm
Please be at gorund for 1.30

BURGUNDY KIT - (if you do not have a shirt we will bring a spare for you).

Google Map:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=Rosewood+Ave&geocode=FX6INAMde-rq_w&hl=en&mra=mr&sll=53.774714,-1.382003&sspn=0.005592,0.013733&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16


17th Oct - IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL PLAYERS

Todays result led to a number of players expressing their dissatisfaction with the team. (Ironically this was after a performance ten times better than last week and a far better result albeit a loss.)

Those disillusioned with recent results should remind themselves of the following;

  • Wortley 4-1 9 players on the pitch at the end of the game.
  • Chapeltown 12-2 Only 8 players left on the pitch at the end of the game. 
  • Gipton 0-12 Only 11 players, no subs, key players missing.
  • No fixed keeper this season. 
  • At the end of last season we lost 5 players including the goal keeper, a key striker, key central defender and two midfielders. Even though we have gained replacements it is unrealistic to expect a new team to gel overnight.   

That is not to say performances could not  have been better but this week was without doubt an improvement.

Nevertheless due to members indicating they wish to leave the team I believe it is time to review whether the team continues or not. The future of the team will be decided by you, the players, at training this Wed 20th Oct. Players who do not attend training or who fail to notify me that they wll not be attending will be assumed to have left the team.

On making that decison I would advise players to take into account the following:
  • The decision on whether to continue this season should be based on how may players wish to continue not on which individuals decide to leave. Certain players will be hard to replace but none are irreplacable.
  • If players wish to continue they should ensure that they have the right attitude - a positive attitude. (Too many players believe it is there role to criticise everyone elses' performance on the pitch other than their own)
  • You must be prepared for the effort and the time it will take to rebuild the team.  
  • You need to be prepared for further defeats whilst the rebuilding takes place.
  • Be prepared to play for the team. The team cannot revolve around individuals who believe they should have the right to play where they want and when they want.  
  • Have respect for your team mates; by always putting in your best performance and by speaking to them as you would expect them to speak to you.
One thing is for certain, whether it is players leaving or the team folding or continuing it will not make the back pages and it will not make one jot of difference to the world of football. What it will make is a difference to is you - so make the right decision for YOU.

Mark 

 

30th Sept - Future Training

Training will now be held on Wed evenings 6-7 at John Smeaton Leisure Centre on astroturf. Trainers or molded studs only. This is an expensive facility so please arrive early as we are strictly limited to one hour and must be off the pitch prompt at 7pm.

We are very fortunate to have the assistance and input of of another coach, Joe Tudor, over the coming weeks. Joe is an experienced coach who is also working for Leeds United FITC.  His input and observations will be invaluable.  
 
23rd Sept - Alex Leaves Team

Alex Kerry has decided to leave the team due to other committments. We thank him for his contribution last season and wish him well for the future. 

20th Sept 2010 - 26th Sept Chapeltown (Away) KO 2pm

Please note Chapeltown wil be in yellow.  It will be Burgundy or White kits for this match therefore.

20th Sept 2010 - Comings and Goings for the 2010-11 Season 

Farewell to:
Alex L'Amie 
Jamie Hadland
Simon Smith

All have gone on to play for their college or open age. We wish them well with their new clubs.

Welcome to:

Josh Smith
Alex Paiva
Bradley Johnson
Mark Leigh
Aaron Byrne


13th Sept 2010 - New kits have arrived. They will be brought to training on Tues 14th. Please bring your payment of £20 if you wish to collect. Cheques made payable to 'Cross Gates Lions FC'. Any cash MUST be in an envelope with your name on and marked 'KIT'. We will not use the full kit until ALL players have paid. Also please remember all subs need to be paid in full or part by 21st Sept.  

13th Sept 2010 - Please note training will be held on Tuesdays at Temple Newsam 6pm - (until 7.30 or it gets dark) throughout September. It will then change to wed evenings 6pm-7pm John smeaton on astro.




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