Young Footballers' Achievements Celebrated
Youth and Mini Soccer Presentation Evening 2011
At the end of each season, Liphook United Football Club celebrates the participation and successes of its players. This year we were joined by special guests from our partner club, FourClubs United, to celebrate the achievements of all our young footballers.
During three sessions on Saturday 18 June at The Millennium Centre, Liphook, parents, carers and relatives participated with Liphook United's executive committee, guests and team management in applauding their youth and mini soccer players as they received their trophies and medals.
Liphook United Vice-Chairman, Martin Feast, welcomed everyone to the presentation evening and introduced the executive committee and Sean Bicknell, Vice-Chairman of FourClubs United.
Sean, introduced FourClubs United which was founded in 2007 with the area's 4 largest local youth football clubs to provide football for those whose opportunities to enjoy the game have been historically limited, namely those with physical, learning and/or behavioural disabilities - now known as 'Inclusive Football'.
FourClubs offers football for children from 7-17 as well as adults, and will be running its own 'Inclusive Festival' at Mill Chase Recreation Ground on Sunday 10th July. Participating in Inclusive Football is very rewarding for all involved and it is a joy to see the standard achieved by the players. Anyone interested in finding out more about Inclusive Football in Liphook and surrounding areas is invited to visit the FourClubs United website or Liphook United's Inclusive Football webpage.
Martin Feast then summarised some of the achievements that have brought great honour to Liphook United and to our community. At the close of this season, Liphook United has 15 youth and mini soccer teams with nearly 200 youngsters training and playing in non-competitive and competitive matches.
Liphook United FC Presentation Evening
Four teams competed at county level in Hampshire FA cup competitions, whilst in the North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL) three teams competed in their respective Premier Divisions and three others in their First Divisions. The Under 10 Wildcats finished as NEHYL Under 10 Premier Division Champions, the Under 12s as NEHYL Under 12 Division 1 runners-up, and the Under 13 Lions triumphed three times as Under 13 Champions at the Farncombe, Liphook and Petersfield tournaments.
Then on to the presentations. For each team in turn, the team manager gave a brief report of their team's accomplishments. Liphook United Chairman, Nigel Marr, then presented each player, to rapturous applause, with an individual medal or trophy for their hard work and dedication to the Club over the season whilst photographs of their teams and players in action were projected on to the massive screen behind.
Typically based upon performance and/or votes, specific players were then called upon to receive awards from the Chairman: Sportsman of the Year, Most Improved Player and Player of the Year.
Also during the evening, a special award was made by the Chairman for outstanding service to Liphook United Football Club, with the Chairman's Shield being presented to Dean Baird, Manager of the Under 13 Lions who also undertakes many other behind the scenes activities.
Chairman Nigel Marr presents Dean Baird with the Chairman's Shield for outstanding service to the Club
In his closing remarks on each session, Martin Feast, noted that the successes of the players and teams were made possible by the enthusiastic band of parents and volunteers that made it all happen, and invited any interested parents to participate, or to support us by joining the 100 Club. The next Club event will be the Terry Edwards Fun Day on 17 July.
Thanks were expressed to the presentation evening production team: organiser - Andy Bicknell, music - Mark Culverhouse, photography - Sara Fawcett and visual presentation - Alexander and Neil Pirie.
Here are some photos of the teams with their trophies and the award winners. Select the age group you want from the sidebar.
Under 12s
Under 12s with their manager, Chris Robinson, and administrator, John Raeyen
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| Sportsman of the Year | Most Improved Player | Player of the Year |
The NEHYL Under 12 Division 1 Runners-up trophy won by the Liphook United Under 12s
Under 13s
Under 13 Lions
Under 13 Lions with their manager, Dean Baird
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 Not present |
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| Sportsman of the Year | Most Improved Player | Player of the Year |
Under 13s Champions trophies from the Farncombe, Petersfield and Liphook Tournaments
Under 13 Tigers
Under 13 Tigers with their manager, Kevin Tapp
Not present |
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| Sportsman of the Year | Most Improved Player | Player of the Year |
Under 15s
Under 15 Warriors
Under 15 Warriors with their manager, Dave Thurgood, and assistant manager, Rob Clue
Not present |
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| Sportsman of the Year | Most Improved Player | Player of the Year |
Under 16s
Under 16 Lasers
Under 16 Lasers with their manager, Sam Fawcett
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| Collected on behalf of Sportsman of the Year |
Most Improved Player | Player of the Year |
Under 12/13/15/16 Team Management
Thanks: Jeannette Burrows, Paul Marshall, Kevin Tapp, Chris Robinson, John Raeyen,
Sam Fawcett, Tina Liddard, Dean Baird, Dave Thurgood and Rob Clue
(Awards photographs by Sara Fawcett)
