And so it began.....and continues....
01 Sep 2009

Maidenbower United FC
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GROUND:

Maidenbower Park, Maidenbower Drive, Maidenbower, Crawley, West Sussex

Oriel High School and Maidenbower Junior School.

WHAT'S NEW ON THE FIELD?

One U8, one U9 and two U10 teams playing in the Crawley & District Youth League plus one Girls team entered into Sussex Girls League at U12.

Three U11’s, U12's,U13's,U14's and U15's are all playing Saturday morning football in the Horsham and District Youth League.

The club will also be launching FREE new training sessions for U7's early in 2010 in preparation for a sqaud to compete at U8 level in the 20109/2011 season.

WHAT'S NEW OFF THE FIELD?

The club was formed in the summer of 2007 and was able to enter seven teams at age groups up to U12 in the local Sussex leagues for the 2007/2008 season.

The second season saw the club grow to ten teams ranging from U8 to U14 including a girls only team as well.

This third season has seen the club increase it's teams again to twelve with the addition of another U10's team and a new U8's team, with the Girls U12 team moving to the Sussex Girls League for their first taste of competetive football.

Thanks to the sponsorships from Edu-Tec Ltd (U8, U9, U10 U11 and the Girls U12 team), Doosan Babcock Energy (U13), Foundation Developments Limited (U14) and Edward Dean (U15,) the club is again able to provide kit & equipment for all playing members.

Thanks also to Premier Sports & Leisure for all their help in setting up the club and its continual commitment in working with the club as we develop.

Eight coaches at the club acquired their Level 1 FA coaching badges in the summer of 2008 which brought the number of qualified coaches in the club to eleven, and several of the newer coaches will be taking their badges in the coming season to boost that number still further.

The accreditation of gaining FA Charted Standard status for the club is a goal for the 2009/10 season.

Fund raising activities have included a Club 'Open' Days and hugely successful Race and Quiz Nights with which we were able to take all the club members out for their Christmas Parties.

The club have also attended the 'Club' nights at Hove Greyhound Stadium over the past couple of seasons and on the first occasion we ended up walking away with the trophy as well..!!

NICKNAME:

The Blues.

NUMBERS:

150 registered playing members from ages U8 to U15.

LEGENDS:

Terry Collins; tireless U12's coach/manager, club secretary, fund raiser, kit collector and distributor & all round organizer and
chaser.

UNSUNG HEROES:

Matt Harrison & Steve Johnson; IT Gurus who manage the club¹s website and administer player and team memberships alongside the financial duties of the club as well as coaching and general club management activities. See their hard work, read the news and leave a message on www.maidenbowerunitedfc.com

BEST MOMENTS:

The first meeting of like minded people who decided that against the odds they could and would set up a new children in the community oriented football club aimed at putting children first. Then getting everything set up and in place for teams to enter and playing in the Sussex leagues within four months.

After all the hard work seeing the boys and girls enjoying their football, being proud to wear their colours and being great ambassadors for the club, culminating in a very successful first couple of seasons for the club.

PHILOSOPHY:

The children and their welfare are at the centre of everything at the club. The club has an all inclusive policy regarding football training and focuses on technical and emotional development within a sporting framework rather than on simply winning at all costs.

FUTURE:

The club will be developing its grass roots training to attract the youngest local talent to represent the club at the youngest age groups. We will also be working with the local FA to encourage and develop local football for girls. The club always welcomes new playing members both into new teams and into the established squads.

The club will support and actively help all its coaches attain the FA Level 1 coaching accreditation and ensure all CRB requirements are in place.

The club is working towards achieving FA Chartered Standard Status and the goal is to attain this accreditation by the end of the 2009/2010 season.