Presentations 2015
Our PRESENTATION EVENING took place at Cholsey Village Pavilion on Saturday 20th June 2015 with over 350 children, parents and managers in attendance.
Glenn Hawkins, our Chairman, conducted the proceedings with his usual wit, charm, and formidable voice, giving a summary of each team's achievements over the season (see below under teams).
A rota of parents and managers very kindly ran the bar throughout the evening and an enjoyable time was had by all, particularly the children - as you can see from the photo slide shows below.
Photos taken by Dave Evans (U11s Manager)
Also a big thank you to the committee, managers and parents, for not only helping to clear to up at the end of the evening, but making sure there were no half-empty wine bottles or odd cans of beer left.
CHAIRMAN’s COMMENTS
As Cholsey Bluebirds approaches its 50th anniversary in 2017, I am happy to report that the club is in good health. The number of young children participating in football is high and because we are continuing to invest in the development of our managers, the quality of coaching they are receiving is improving all the time.
Our club’s excellent reputation for being friendly, fun and fair remains strong and the feedback about our tournament has been really good.
I would personally like to thank all club officials, players and their family members for making all this happen.
My time as Club Chairman is coming to an end. It now requires someone with fresh energy and ideas to build on this great platform we have all created. I wish them and our club continued success.
GLENN HAWKINS
As Cholsey Bluebirds approaches its 50th anniversary in 2017, I am happy to report that the club is in good health. The number of young children participating in football is high and because we are continuing to invest in the development of our managers, the quality of coaching they are receiving is improving all the time.
Our club’s excellent reputation for being friendly, fun and fair remains strong and the feedback about our tournament has been really good.
I would personally like to thank all club officials, players and their family members for making all this happen.
My time as Club Chairman is coming to an end. It now requires someone with fresh energy and ideas to build on this great platform we have all created. I wish them and our club continued success.
GLENN HAWKINS
Rising Stars
Last year I took over Steve Wilkinson’s role to coach the Rising Stars, the kids tell me his body couldn’t keep up with them anymore and they needed someone younger.
I’ve watched the Rising Stars progress further and further as they learn more grass root skills. I had full faith in them to cope playing a year above, so I entered them into the Cholsey Tournament. The team reached the final in the plate competition and came runners up.
I hope to coach throughout my career as coaching the Rising Stars has been great fun and a good way to help others as well as yourself. I’ve had so much fun with all the kids and hope they all keep enjoying football and have a really good season next year playing competitive football.
HOWARD HAWKINS & FREDDIE WILKINSON (who was a regular assistant during the first half of the season)
Last year I took over Steve Wilkinson’s role to coach the Rising Stars, the kids tell me his body couldn’t keep up with them anymore and they needed someone younger.
I’ve watched the Rising Stars progress further and further as they learn more grass root skills. I had full faith in them to cope playing a year above, so I entered them into the Cholsey Tournament. The team reached the final in the plate competition and came runners up.
I hope to coach throughout my career as coaching the Rising Stars has been great fun and a good way to help others as well as yourself. I’ve had so much fun with all the kids and hope they all keep enjoying football and have a really good season next year playing competitive football.
HOWARD HAWKINS & FREDDIE WILKINSON (who was a regular assistant during the first half of the season)
Under 7s (5 aside)
What a great first full season for the boys. We've had a maximum squad of 14 from the off, a waiting list of others wanting to join, and no drop-outs over the course of 9 months - meaning we hope to start our second season with the same squad that started the first.
Results in the first half of the season were mixed, with a rough split of wins, draws and losses. However, when the divisions were redrawn after Christmas we went on a fantastic run, with a 100% win rate which would have clearly put us top of the league (though official results aren't published for this age group).
We've been keen to keep a friendly, cooperative spirit in the team, meaning that we actively rotate positions and try to substitute evenly. The boys come from at least 4 different schools and it's been great to see them grow into a more cohesive unit - especially as they wouldn't ordinarily know each other.
TOM BARKER
What a great first full season for the boys. We've had a maximum squad of 14 from the off, a waiting list of others wanting to join, and no drop-outs over the course of 9 months - meaning we hope to start our second season with the same squad that started the first.
Results in the first half of the season were mixed, with a rough split of wins, draws and losses. However, when the divisions were redrawn after Christmas we went on a fantastic run, with a 100% win rate which would have clearly put us top of the league (though official results aren't published for this age group).
We've been keen to keep a friendly, cooperative spirit in the team, meaning that we actively rotate positions and try to substitute evenly. The boys come from at least 4 different schools and it's been great to see them grow into a more cohesive unit - especially as they wouldn't ordinarily know each other.
TOM BARKER
Under 8s (5 aside)
Another fantastic season for the team !
We have all worked really hard to work on our game craft this year. We have become solid in defence, hard working in midfield and deadly in front of goal. The first half of the season we came into the trophy event with some mixed results. We scraped through into the event by the skin of our teeth and managed to work our way into the final for the second year running. Sadly the boys had their first of many heart breaks that all good Englishmen will attest to. We lost on penalties after extra time.
We managed to ride out the second half of the season - even though at the start of the campaign we just couldn’t seem to score. We managed to get to semi-final of the trophy event and were beaten. This was a good turning point for the boys though, after nearly 2 years of saying it., they took it to heart – “to get the results we are capable of we need to play as a team and not try to do everything on our own”. Somehow, this time, the lesson stuck.
The new 'enlightened Bluebirds started off the tournament season with a local round robin event where I had my first truly spine tingling moment of beautiful football from the boys. The football was just getting better. The passing was good, the play was fast and the effort supreme. We even managed to cap the season off with a fantastic day in the Didcot tournament from both teams. We both finished second in our group of 7 and one of the teams managed to get to the final and ended up winning it ! Roll on next season.
MIKE COLLINS
Another fantastic season for the team !
We have all worked really hard to work on our game craft this year. We have become solid in defence, hard working in midfield and deadly in front of goal. The first half of the season we came into the trophy event with some mixed results. We scraped through into the event by the skin of our teeth and managed to work our way into the final for the second year running. Sadly the boys had their first of many heart breaks that all good Englishmen will attest to. We lost on penalties after extra time.
We managed to ride out the second half of the season - even though at the start of the campaign we just couldn’t seem to score. We managed to get to semi-final of the trophy event and were beaten. This was a good turning point for the boys though, after nearly 2 years of saying it., they took it to heart – “to get the results we are capable of we need to play as a team and not try to do everything on our own”. Somehow, this time, the lesson stuck.
The new 'enlightened Bluebirds started off the tournament season with a local round robin event where I had my first truly spine tingling moment of beautiful football from the boys. The football was just getting better. The passing was good, the play was fast and the effort supreme. We even managed to cap the season off with a fantastic day in the Didcot tournament from both teams. We both finished second in our group of 7 and one of the teams managed to get to the final and ended up winning it ! Roll on next season.
MIKE COLLINS
Under 9s (7 aside)
We started the season in the D league and finished in the top 2 and winning the trophy event final on penalties. This gained us promotion into the winter C league which was more competitive but we only failed to beat Oxford Blackbirds. The progress from the whole squad is there for everyone to see. The large squad with players of different standards has tested both Bazza and my coaching and man management skills to the limit.
Summer tournaments went well reaching our first final and getting beaten on penalties against a very good Radley side, also semi-finalists at Harwell.
Our first win at the national tournament at Butlins was great and that final whistle will live with me for some time - the smiles from players and supporters was brilliant and celebrations went on well into the evening . . . after the children had gone to bed !
Promotion to the B league is our aim for next season and with several new players showing interest in what we’re achieving as a squad, is great for the club . . . and our hard working committee.
Many thanks go out to all my parents whose conduct and encouragement towards the team and help on match days doesn't go unnoticed.
Thanks to our sponsors Oxford Spires & Memories of Bengal, to Bazza and Susie for their constant help and of course to my other half, Jane, and my daughter Millie, for letting me enjoy my passion that is the beautiful game.
DAVE MINERS (Ably assisted by BARRY PRIMMER)
We started the season in the D league and finished in the top 2 and winning the trophy event final on penalties. This gained us promotion into the winter C league which was more competitive but we only failed to beat Oxford Blackbirds. The progress from the whole squad is there for everyone to see. The large squad with players of different standards has tested both Bazza and my coaching and man management skills to the limit.
Summer tournaments went well reaching our first final and getting beaten on penalties against a very good Radley side, also semi-finalists at Harwell.
Our first win at the national tournament at Butlins was great and that final whistle will live with me for some time - the smiles from players and supporters was brilliant and celebrations went on well into the evening . . . after the children had gone to bed !
Promotion to the B league is our aim for next season and with several new players showing interest in what we’re achieving as a squad, is great for the club . . . and our hard working committee.
Many thanks go out to all my parents whose conduct and encouragement towards the team and help on match days doesn't go unnoticed.
Thanks to our sponsors Oxford Spires & Memories of Bengal, to Bazza and Susie for their constant help and of course to my other half, Jane, and my daughter Millie, for letting me enjoy my passion that is the beautiful game.
DAVE MINERS (Ably assisted by BARRY PRIMMER)
Under 10s (7 aside)
2014/15 season could not have finished any better for us; the culmination of all our hard work resulted in a superb 3-1 victory away to Radley Youth that saw us win The Spring Supplementary Trophy. The season had started with a change in management, Pete McAlister took over from Glenn and Howard Hawkins and we got off to the best possible start with a 3-0 win over Florence Park. Up to Christmas the boys work hard and were rewarded with another couple of wins and a draw.
After Christmas we continued to progress and gained another two wins and a draw amongst a number of close defeats. What was pleasing was the games we were losing were only by the odd goal and several opposition teams commented on our improvement from last season.
The cherry didn’t quite get to sit upon the proverbial cake but we came mighty close to a huge upset in the Didcot Tournament. We narrowly lost the final of the main tournament 2-1 to Harwell & Hendred. To show just how far the boy have come Harwell & Hendred won the A league this year, we play in league F.
This team had often struggled with numbers in past seasons, I’m glad to report that is no longer the case as we have a full complement signed on and several others involved. At our age group we play two games a weekend and in 95% of those games this season we were able to field two completely different sides.
Every single player has giving his all this season and the team as a whole has come on leaps and bounds. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the parents who are a credit to the club and the lads.
We will continue to train throughout the summer every Wednesday 6-7pm and Saturday 10-11:30 (pitch just behind the mound and before the concrete bridge) new players are most welcome to come along and join in.
PETE McALISTER
2014/15 season could not have finished any better for us; the culmination of all our hard work resulted in a superb 3-1 victory away to Radley Youth that saw us win The Spring Supplementary Trophy. The season had started with a change in management, Pete McAlister took over from Glenn and Howard Hawkins and we got off to the best possible start with a 3-0 win over Florence Park. Up to Christmas the boys work hard and were rewarded with another couple of wins and a draw.
After Christmas we continued to progress and gained another two wins and a draw amongst a number of close defeats. What was pleasing was the games we were losing were only by the odd goal and several opposition teams commented on our improvement from last season.
The cherry didn’t quite get to sit upon the proverbial cake but we came mighty close to a huge upset in the Didcot Tournament. We narrowly lost the final of the main tournament 2-1 to Harwell & Hendred. To show just how far the boy have come Harwell & Hendred won the A league this year, we play in league F.
This team had often struggled with numbers in past seasons, I’m glad to report that is no longer the case as we have a full complement signed on and several others involved. At our age group we play two games a weekend and in 95% of those games this season we were able to field two completely different sides.
Every single player has giving his all this season and the team as a whole has come on leaps and bounds. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the parents who are a credit to the club and the lads.
We will continue to train throughout the summer every Wednesday 6-7pm and Saturday 10-11:30 (pitch just behind the mound and before the concrete bridge) new players are most welcome to come along and join in.
PETE McALISTER
Under 11s (9 aside)
In the first part of the season, the team exceeded all my expectations, winning 6 of their 7 League matches to top the Table and gain promotion to the "B" League in the New Year.
The players took to the new 9 a-side format on a larger pitch, improving both their individual and team skills. They became a much more cohesive unit - knowing their positions, passing much more frequently and working for each other - their attitude has been fantastic and it's been a pleasure to watch them as their confidence and belief in their own ability has developed.
Following losing the first 2 League games in the “B” League, we won the next three to make ourselves safe from going back down to the "C" League after just one campaign - whatever happened in the final 2 games.
As it turned out, we lost both - Didcot Casuals were too strong for us on the day and the last game, against Chalgove Cavaliers was unbelievable with the final result 5-7 after being 0-4 down at half-time.
The team’s sportsmanship is brilliant, never questioning decisions - they are a credit to themselves, the team and the Club.
Also, the squad increased from 13 registered players at the end of last season, to the full 18 allowed this year and we even have a couple of others who join us for training sessions. However, we will probably be losing quite a few players for various reasons so may have a few vacancies on offer.
DAVE EVANS
NB: First 11 slides of show are photos taken by Joe Wilkinson - still has a lot to learn about SLR cameras but appeared to be getting the hang of it by the end ! Last 4 taken by Dave Evans.
In the first part of the season, the team exceeded all my expectations, winning 6 of their 7 League matches to top the Table and gain promotion to the "B" League in the New Year.
The players took to the new 9 a-side format on a larger pitch, improving both their individual and team skills. They became a much more cohesive unit - knowing their positions, passing much more frequently and working for each other - their attitude has been fantastic and it's been a pleasure to watch them as their confidence and belief in their own ability has developed.
Following losing the first 2 League games in the “B” League, we won the next three to make ourselves safe from going back down to the "C" League after just one campaign - whatever happened in the final 2 games.
As it turned out, we lost both - Didcot Casuals were too strong for us on the day and the last game, against Chalgove Cavaliers was unbelievable with the final result 5-7 after being 0-4 down at half-time.
The team’s sportsmanship is brilliant, never questioning decisions - they are a credit to themselves, the team and the Club.
Also, the squad increased from 13 registered players at the end of last season, to the full 18 allowed this year and we even have a couple of others who join us for training sessions. However, we will probably be losing quite a few players for various reasons so may have a few vacancies on offer.
DAVE EVANS
NB: First 11 slides of show are photos taken by Joe Wilkinson - still has a lot to learn about SLR cameras but appeared to be getting the hang of it by the end ! Last 4 taken by Dave Evans.
Under 12s (9 aside)
The Under 12’s have been through a season of Highs and not quite so Highs ! With a squad of 15 they still regularly found it a challenge to get 9 players on the field on a Sunday morning but that didn’t stop the effort and commitment of the players who did turn out. Over the season they continued to play an attractive brand of football, creating but not always finishing many chances and only losing games late on as their legs tired given the extra workload.
One of the season highlights was in the Cup when playing 7 vs 9 against Berinsfield after a late change of kick-off time and the subsequent loss of a couple of players, the team, 2-0 down at half-time, came out fighting and ran out 4-2 winners. In the post-Christmas Spring League, after some Futsal sessions, the team started with a couple of thumping wins including an 11-2 victory at Summertown which saw 7 different players score, they topped the league for a few weeks but got pegged back and overtaken, finally finishing mid-table, but as one of the highest scorers in the League.
Over the season nearly every squad member scored and the teamwork, positive encouragement of their team mates and 100% commitment shown throughout was a credit to the players who have again been a pleasure to coach. Hopefully with a couple of additions to the squad we’ll go into the U13’s season playing 11-a-side with 11-a-side!
ANDY CHAPMAN
The Under 12’s have been through a season of Highs and not quite so Highs ! With a squad of 15 they still regularly found it a challenge to get 9 players on the field on a Sunday morning but that didn’t stop the effort and commitment of the players who did turn out. Over the season they continued to play an attractive brand of football, creating but not always finishing many chances and only losing games late on as their legs tired given the extra workload.
One of the season highlights was in the Cup when playing 7 vs 9 against Berinsfield after a late change of kick-off time and the subsequent loss of a couple of players, the team, 2-0 down at half-time, came out fighting and ran out 4-2 winners. In the post-Christmas Spring League, after some Futsal sessions, the team started with a couple of thumping wins including an 11-2 victory at Summertown which saw 7 different players score, they topped the league for a few weeks but got pegged back and overtaken, finally finishing mid-table, but as one of the highest scorers in the League.
Over the season nearly every squad member scored and the teamwork, positive encouragement of their team mates and 100% commitment shown throughout was a credit to the players who have again been a pleasure to coach. Hopefully with a couple of additions to the squad we’ll go into the U13’s season playing 11-a-side with 11-a-side!
ANDY CHAPMAN
Under 13s (11 aside)
This season our team set about defending our title as A league winners. The competition was again split into two mini seasons - Autumn and Spring.
In both the Autumn and Spring leagues we found ourselves undefeated, sitting at the top of the table. However the finales played out quite differently.
The end of the Autumn season saw the team at the top of the league with the greatest goal difference. Sadly league rules do not accept goal difference which forced a play-off and unfortunately we lost to Harwell and Hendred FC. However we were very happy to travel to the Kassam Stadium on the 14th March to accept our runners-up award and watch Oxford play Plymouth Argyle FC.
The Spring league saw us win every match up to the last fixture of the season so we knew before kick-off that a win or draw against Summertown Cobras would clinch outright victory. A tense match followed but a nail-biting draw saw us finish the season champions of the A league again.
We are looking forward to going to the Kassam for a second time this year to collect the silverware!
In the meantime we are enjoying the fun of tournament season. A brilliant start saw us win the Abingdon tournament and we also made the semi-finals at Cholsey.
This team is fortunate to include a fantastic group of boys and parents who thoroughly deserve their continued success.
STEVE WILKINSON
This season our team set about defending our title as A league winners. The competition was again split into two mini seasons - Autumn and Spring.
In both the Autumn and Spring leagues we found ourselves undefeated, sitting at the top of the table. However the finales played out quite differently.
The end of the Autumn season saw the team at the top of the league with the greatest goal difference. Sadly league rules do not accept goal difference which forced a play-off and unfortunately we lost to Harwell and Hendred FC. However we were very happy to travel to the Kassam Stadium on the 14th March to accept our runners-up award and watch Oxford play Plymouth Argyle FC.
The Spring league saw us win every match up to the last fixture of the season so we knew before kick-off that a win or draw against Summertown Cobras would clinch outright victory. A tense match followed but a nail-biting draw saw us finish the season champions of the A league again.
We are looking forward to going to the Kassam for a second time this year to collect the silverware!
In the meantime we are enjoying the fun of tournament season. A brilliant start saw us win the Abingdon tournament and we also made the semi-finals at Cholsey.
This team is fortunate to include a fantastic group of boys and parents who thoroughly deserve their continued success.
STEVE WILKINSON
Under 16s (11 a side)
The 2014/15 season continued a pattern which started back in 2012 with a league win as Under 13s, a year without victory as Under 14s and a league win as Under 15s last year. Losing one of your strikers is never easy, as Liverpool also discovered (!), and ours scored 48 goals for us last season.
Having won the league as Under 15s, we hoped for another strong season. However, the pattern that started with a league win as Under 13s, followed by a tough year as Under 14s, continued in the 2014/15 season. In our first league match, the players discovered that was no longer "youth" football, with challenges becoming much more physical. However, we did compete strongly but lost to a couple of late goals. We won our next match (when I was away - I should have stayed away more often!), which gave cause for optimism. However, a succession of defeats followed, in spite of the team playing some great football. We played out a very close game against Carterton in the cup, losing 3-0 to the team who won the league above ours. In the middle of the season a number of players left the team, and it looked like we would struggle to finish the season. However, we managed to sign several new players, and performances finally picked up. All the hard work by the players finally paid off, winning two of the last three matches in the league to overall Faringdon town in the league. Although it was nice to not finish at the bottom of the table, the most pleasing thing was to see a great team spirit and a gritty determination ensure those wins. All the boys who played through to the end of the season should feel very proud of their achievements.
Although this was the last year for this squad, I know many players have already made plans to play for other sides locally, some in mens' football, and I wish them all the best with whatever they do.
On a personal note, I have been involved with the team since 2005, when my son started playing, coached by Johns Rowlands and Harding. Six years ago, I started helping to run the team, and for the past 4 years have managed the team. I won't claim it has always been easy, but it has been hugely rewarding and a privilege to work as part of the bigger Cholsey Bluebirds team. The amount of work put in by so many people has been amazing to see, many of them without children playing for the club! It has also been great to meet such a great bunch of families through the club, I have been very grateful for their help and support.
Finally, I would like to thank Ian Heapy who has helped me to run the team for the past four years. I certainly couldn't have managed it without his help and tireless enthusiasm!
JON BLACKMORE
The 2014/15 season continued a pattern which started back in 2012 with a league win as Under 13s, a year without victory as Under 14s and a league win as Under 15s last year. Losing one of your strikers is never easy, as Liverpool also discovered (!), and ours scored 48 goals for us last season.
Having won the league as Under 15s, we hoped for another strong season. However, the pattern that started with a league win as Under 13s, followed by a tough year as Under 14s, continued in the 2014/15 season. In our first league match, the players discovered that was no longer "youth" football, with challenges becoming much more physical. However, we did compete strongly but lost to a couple of late goals. We won our next match (when I was away - I should have stayed away more often!), which gave cause for optimism. However, a succession of defeats followed, in spite of the team playing some great football. We played out a very close game against Carterton in the cup, losing 3-0 to the team who won the league above ours. In the middle of the season a number of players left the team, and it looked like we would struggle to finish the season. However, we managed to sign several new players, and performances finally picked up. All the hard work by the players finally paid off, winning two of the last three matches in the league to overall Faringdon town in the league. Although it was nice to not finish at the bottom of the table, the most pleasing thing was to see a great team spirit and a gritty determination ensure those wins. All the boys who played through to the end of the season should feel very proud of their achievements.
Although this was the last year for this squad, I know many players have already made plans to play for other sides locally, some in mens' football, and I wish them all the best with whatever they do.
On a personal note, I have been involved with the team since 2005, when my son started playing, coached by Johns Rowlands and Harding. Six years ago, I started helping to run the team, and for the past 4 years have managed the team. I won't claim it has always been easy, but it has been hugely rewarding and a privilege to work as part of the bigger Cholsey Bluebirds team. The amount of work put in by so many people has been amazing to see, many of them without children playing for the club! It has also been great to meet such a great bunch of families through the club, I have been very grateful for their help and support.
Finally, I would like to thank Ian Heapy who has helped me to run the team for the past four years. I certainly couldn't have managed it without his help and tireless enthusiasm!
JON BLACKMORE
On behalf of the committee and everyone associated with
this fantastic club, we would like to express our sincere thanks to every child,
their parents and other relatives for their support, encouragement and
commitment throughout what has proved to be a very busy and highly successful
season for everyone.
THANK YOU
this fantastic club, we would like to express our sincere thanks to every child,
their parents and other relatives for their support, encouragement and
commitment throughout what has proved to be a very busy and highly successful
season for everyone.
THANK YOU