VALEVIEW SHANKILL SBFC-UNDER SEVEN LAST SEASON 2008/2009 (Now playing in B1 league)

The season started with great anticipation for our newest footballers, all of the players progressed from the ValeView academy from under the protective wings of Brian and Shay. This is a very young team nearly all of this team are six year olds and will certainly play at under seven level again next year.

There was tremendous excitement and enthusiasm from all of our young players for each and every match. Things didn’t go quite to plan before Christmas but no matter what the result the lads always had a smile on their faces at the end of the game and came back the following week bursting with enthusiasm for more; it was as if the last result had never happened.

And then the Christmas break came and Santa Claus must have delivered a little extra gift to each and every player because from then on things changed and we started to compete that bit better and the team was gelling well. The results started to improve and we eventually got a draw and it didn’t take long for that first elusive win to arrive from which they never looked back. All of the players deserve great credit for their untiring performances they all gave 110% every week for the team and each other.

The team has lots of different characters on the team from goal machine Cory Hayes who deservedly got our player of the year award and Ciaran Pigeon who after Christmas was a man inspired and took the award for our most improved player. We have to mention the rest of the team each one brings his own unique ability to the team. Our defenders are outstanding and well disciplined at holding their line (well most of the time anyway) Hugh O Neil works as hard as any and put in some crunching tackles, Our midfield players who work tirelessly helping out at the back and providing the passes and creating the chances for our forwards to score the vital goals, Neil Langan (Mr reliable)one of the midfield generals who put in many a tiring afternoon chasing the play and setting up Cory with lots of opportunities to score, the fastest player has to be Jack Cullen he’s like lightning up and down the wing, penalty taker and Mr. cool in front of goal Ultan Byrne just uses class from a cultured left foot , Fionn O Loan ran his heart out for team putting in some great tackles, Nathan O Connor another soldier who works tirelessly for the team be it in midfield or defence, Ben Hickmott likes to play up front and pitched in with a few important goals of his own, Josh Bradshaw made some great saves when playing in goal.

We had some great times this year and a big thanks goes to all the parents who give up their time and got the lads to training and matches on time, their help is very much appreciated. Here looking forward to next season when we will enjoy the highs and lows with equal enthusiasm and hopefully have as much fun as we did this year.

Derek & Adrian