This April, we debuted in the UK International Cup Tournament at St George’s Park, home to the England national teams. FFE Director of Football, Dan Goffin accompanied the coaching team, players and parents across the weekend. Follow his daily blog below:

 

 

 

 

Friday was travel and check in day for our players, parents and coaching team. The excitement felt across the groups, with messages and calls between players, parents and coaches highlighting how much the group was looking forward to a new experience. 

 

We travelled up to our hotel, just a short drive from St George’s Park. Located opposite the Pride Park Stadium, home of Derby County, many of the players took an opportunity to tick off another pro club stadium visit. 

 

In the evening, players and parents settled down for evening meals together, speculating what was to come the following morning on arrival at the event. 

 

Myself and the coaching team met to discuss tournament plans, aims & objectives. The message from me to them was very clear, we want all the players to have the most memorable experience possible in what is our first experience of a competitive tournament environment. 

 

 

Up early for team breakfast before departing the hotel for the short drive to St George’s Park. You could feel the excitement in the air as the boys arrived in the match kits ready to step into the unknown. 

 

The U9 group games we played on the indoor 3G pitch, with the U11 groups outside on the perfect grass surfaces. Setting up camp for the day, the players and parents we eager to get started. 

 

Saturday saw the U9 boys play three league fixtures, first up was Solihull Academy, followed by Cwmbran Celtic and finally Prees Lions. After a slow start, the nerves settled and the boys started to play the free flowing attacking football we know they are capable off. Additionally, I challenged the group and coach Ollie to implement a ‘high press’ when out of possession. The aim was to help the players regain possession higher up the pitch and increase goal scoring opportunities. Considering the group were trying this for the first time, in an international tournament, I couldn’t have been prouder of the way they approached it and tried so hard with it. 

 

The U11’s had a larger group so had the challenge of four group games on day 1, starting with defending champions Levels FC. It was a tough introduction for the boys, where nerves were clear, however they grew into the game and started to perform the way we know they can. Games against Westdyke CC, Southport Athletic and Penkridge JFC followed for the group. 

 

Catching the final two games of the U11’s I was so impressed with the expansive, creative football they started to show. Having worked with this group last season at U10, I was more than aware how good they were in possession of the ball, but it was great to see that coach James has continued and built on this. 

 

At the end of day one, we were delighted with both teams performances and very excited about the prospect of day two. 

 

 

D day arrived, with both teams having final group games to decide whether they ended up in the latter stages of the tournament. 

 

First up a 9.00am kick off for the U9, who needed a quarter final win to secure knock out football in the afternoon. Starting fast and continuing the high pressing football they ended day one with, the group flew out of the traps to secure a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Ambleside Jets and ensure safe passage into the semi final stages of the tournament.

 

The semi final saw the group compete against the Ambleside Rockets for a place in the final. A nervous affair to start, but aided by the calming influence of coach Ollie, the group settled down and started to dominate, finishing the game 6-0 and with a place in the final secured. 

 

The U11s on the other hand another group game before securing their passage into the knock out stages, a 4-0 victory over Seacroft Eagles ensured they too would be in the knock out stages in the afternoon. A nervous 1-0 win over Hawarden Rangers in the quarter final secured a semi final place against Brampton Rovers later in the afternoon. 

 

Despite their best efforts, the U11 fell at the final hurdle, with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brampton. Heartbreak for the lads, but with out doubt, an amazing experience that has only fuelled their desire to come back next year and challenge for the title. 

 

Back to the U9 final. Cwmbran Celtic were our opponents, and we knew from the start the game was going to be hard fought.  The nerves kicked in as kick off approached with the group experiencing a final together for the first time. Some excellent early play, creating several goal scoring chances came and went without the lads taking the opportunity. Our opponents took control of the game and eventually came out as 3-0 winners. 

 

With the tears flowing, the devastation of losing in a cup final in their debut year hit the young lads hard. Some words of encouragement from coach Ollie and the promise from myself that we’d be back next season to hopefully go one step further helped settle the lads down as they collected their runners up medal. 

 

Overall, the weekends event were extremely positive. To be able to provide these players with an opportunity to take part in an internal tournament against teams from across 5 different countries is something we’ll be forever proud of and I can confirm 100% we will be back next year. 

 

A huge thank you to the coaching team for their efforts across the weekend, you helped create memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Here are some photo's from the event: