MYFC U18’s have reached the end of their youth football days! The team has been together since U7’s and for 11 years have progressed through all the successive age groups, now the first MYFC youth squad to have graduated to senior football with MTFC. (As a parting gift they managed an excellent cup run – semi-final of the County Cup – and also won their league!)
Current Team Manager John Evans awarded 14 “Lifetime Achievement Awards” to those players who had been part of the club since they were just 7 or 8 years old (Josh Evans, Harry Milton, Sam Mocock, Elliot Smith and Jacob Smith). Back then they were managed by Mike Milton and Wayne Presley. Nine others (Tom Amer, Ben Drewett, James Richardson, Joe Spong, Arran Aujla, Jacob Bremner, Matt Snell, Sam Woodhouse and Ollie Campbell) initially joined Ramsbury Youth FC at Under 7 or 8 but the two age groups merged 4 years ago and continued as MYFC under the management of Richard Smith and Clive Spong. Quite a journey to keep the boys playing football!
The lads have experienced all the highs and lows of football over the years, exciting cup runs, leaguetitles, relegations; and there have been years when squads have been large (with match time rationed), then other years when it was difficult to field a team on match days! Many players have come and gone but these 14 lads have stuck together and been the core of the team. A number of the players have also now played for MTFC reserves and will hopefully continue to do so, hopefully even break into the first team. Overall, MYFC are delighted to be developing players capable of playing in the senior ranks.
John Evans said “Its fantastic that whilst these lads may have different friendship groups at school and at home, when they come together on Sunday for football they are just onestrong group. They play for each other, support each other when things go wrong and celebrate together when we win. They have been joined this season by the return of several lads who used to play for us and this has strengthened the group even more.”
He adds: “The lesson here for all the younger age groups is the importance of loyalty and team ethos. The more a squad stick together the sweeter winning becomes and the harder times are easier to cope with. The pictures attached show the lads when they were younger and on their last ever match day for MYFC”.
Congratulations boys, MYFC heroes. You will be missed!
To register as a player for MYFC for next season (any age group), contact Stu Slater: chair@myfc.me.uk