Under 9s - 2004-05

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s - KEN LONG TROPHY WINNERS  

Squad:
Charlie Bilton, William Blackaby, Nick Bolton, Cameron Britton, Sam Brooks, Tyler Broughton, Ben Butler, James Charlesworth, Adam Dalley, David Daniels, Keiron Danter, Archie Day, Jonathan Gooch, Callum Green, Rhys Hunt, Callum James, Daniel O'Neill, Rob Phillips, Jack Pritchard, Daniel Sewell, Josh Tomkins, Joshua Williams.

Coaching staff
Coach: Andy Gooch
Assistant: Robert Pritchard

Training:
Tuesday evenings, 6:00 to 7:00pm at Ross Road Playing Fields.

News:

Sun 01 May 2005 - U9s lift Fair Play trophy after North Devon Tournament
LEDBURY Swifts travelled to Ilfracombe in North Devon with their families and friends to participate in the North Devon Trophy organised by Sports Tours UK. This was the U9s first tour and it proved to be a memorable event. 
The tournament began with three mini league fixtures on Saturday, which yielded four points for the Swifts with a 0-0 draw against Braunton Wanderers, a 1-0 win against Almsbury Youth and a 3-1 defeat against a very good Wychall Wanderers team. After an afternoon relaxing on the beach, the tournament re-convened on Sunday with the final two mini league matches. The Swifts knew that they had to win both matches to reach the semi-finals and equally knew that their first opponents, St Nicholas, had scored maximum points the previous day. However, the Swifts rose to the challenge to play their best football of the tournament to beat St Nicholas 1-0.  Encouraged by their success, the Swifts were looking forward to their final league match against Meole Brace. However, the match against Meole Brace turned out to be a match too far, with Meole Brace's skilled and well-organised team running out 3-1 winners.  Despite having been eliminated in the league stage, the Swifts U9s were really looking forward to the presentation evening where they were to collect an individual trophy from former Spurs star Gary Mabbutt. Everything went according to plan and the team members were pleased and proud to collect their trophies and have their pictures taken with Gary.  As the evening drew to a close, the organisers took to the stage for one last time to announce the winners of the tournament sportsmanship trophy. To everyone's delight and surprise, Ledbury Swifts were announced the winners. The sportsmanship trophy was judged by the tournament referees and is a reflection of the way in which the team and their parents approached each and every game.  Ledbury Swifts would like to thank Bradford Building Supplies, Davant Products Ltd, Ledbury and Innovative Supplies Ltd of Douglas, Cork Northern Ireland for their generous support for this tour.

Fri 29 Apr 2005 - U9s on tour
Swifts Under 9's head off to Ilfracombe In North Devon today compete in the North Devon 2005 Trophy. In the competition that will be held over 2 days, Ledbury Swifts will compete against 11 other teams in two mini leagues to earn the right to play in the knock out semi final stage and hopefully go on to the final. Former England and Spurs star Gary Mabbutt will make the presentations. The squad for the tournament is Daniel Sewell (Captain), Tyler Broughton, Ben Butler, James Charlesworth, Kieron Danter, Jonathan Gooch, Daniel O'Neill, Rob Phillips and Jack Pritchard The U9s would like to thank their main sponsors, Bradford Building Supplies for their continuing support and extend special thanks to the management and staff of Davant Products Ltd, Ledbury and the management of Innovative Supplies Ltd of Douglas, Cork in Northern Ireland for their generous support for this tour.

Sun 10 Apr 2005 - U9s prepare for North Devon & Ken Long Tournaments 
The U9s have resumed training ahead of a busy spring schedule which include the Ken Long Trophy and a trip to Illfracombe to contest the North Devon Trophy in a weekend-long tournament which attracts teams from all over the country. Manager Andy Gooch has assembled a squad of nine players for the two-day event, supported by 23 parents and sponsorship from local companies. The tournament will be held over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, and the team leave Ledbury on Friday, April 29th. The following weekend the U9s will contest the Ken Long Trophy at an invitational tournament at the Ross Road Playing Fields. Other teams involved this year include Pershore Town and Everside Eagles from South Gloucestershire, both of whom will host friendly matches against the Swifts in April. The current U9 side will be looking to retain the trophy won by last year's U9s in a closely fought final against Hinton FC.

Sat 26 Feb 2005 - U9s complete first competitive season 
The U9s defeat in the semi-final of the Hillman Florists Cup brings their first competitive season to an end and they will now take a well deserved rest for a month before coming back together to prepare for a series of soccer tournaments. In their first season, the Under 9's finished 6th in the Herefordshire Junior Soccer League and reached the semi-final of the Cup. This was a tremendous achievement which was marked by a league performance of 10 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats and with an impressive goal scoring record. The Ledbury Swifts team and their coaches would like to extend a special thank you to Bradford's Building Supplies for their sponsorship of the team and for each and every parent that contributed their time and support to the team in a variety of different ways. It was a true team effort and we all are looking forward to playing in the sunshine in some great summer tournaments.

Sun 12 Dec 2004 - Home tie for Cup semi-final
The Under 9s have been drawn at home to Pegasus Juniors in the semi-final of the Hillmans Florist Cup. The match will be played on Saturday, February 26th, just before the start of the league play-off phase. The two sides have yet to meet in the League, although Pegasus are just above Swifts in the table. The Under 9s gained their place in the last four after good wins over Hereford Lads Club and Westfields. The winners of the semi-final tie will meet either Ross Juniors or Greyhound City Sports in the final at Edgar Street in May.

Sat 11 Dec 2004 - Switched venue leaves Under 9s partying
With the Webb-Ellis Rugby World Cup trophy visiting Ledbury's Ross Road Sports Ground, the Ledbury Swifts Under 9s and Under 10s switched their home league fixtures against Orleton and Ross Juniors to the Barton Playing fields at Much Marcle. The Swifts management team elected to make the most of this opportunity and the Christmas period to turn the morning into a family celebration of football and Christmas. The parents of both Swifts teams combined together to lay on hot food, mince pies, hot drinks and that all important mulled wine for their own teams and the visiting supporters. All four sets of supporters and some local residents enjoyed two excellent games and some lovely refreshments with the Under 9s winning 11-0 against Orleton and the Under 10s losing a tightly contested game 3-0 against Ross Juniors. The two games were followed by an excellent raffle that was organised by Pete and Fiona Butler. The combination of the raffle and the refreshments raised an amazing £85 for team funds. The Under 9s and Under 10s management team would like to extend their thanks to Much Marcle Parish Council for the use of the playing field and to Much Marcle school for the use of their goals. In addition the team would like to extend their special thanks to Tracey Arlott, Pete & Fiona Butler, Julie Davis, Wendy Nash, Sally Rooke and their support team for the wonderful refreshments and raffle. A great morning was had by all especially as it all took place in bright sunshine.

Sat 04 Dec 2004 - Rugby World Cup visit means venue changes for Swifts
The Under 9's home match against Orleton will be played at a different venue on Saturday, December 11th because of the visit of the Rugby World Cup to Ledbury Rugby Club's Ross Road headquarters. The decision to move the matches for the Under 9s, Under 10s and Under 14s was taken after Swifts were advised by the Rugby Club that the charity events surrounding the visit of the Webb Ellis trophy would mean limited parking and access to facilities. Rather than arrange to play the fixtures away, the managers of the U9s and U10s have been given permission to use the Bartons playing fields next to Much Marcle Primary School. The matches will kick off at their normal times.

Sun 09 Jul 2004 - HJFL Leagues announced
Ledbury Swifts Under 9s will face 18 opponents in the 2004-5 season, according to the league team lists announced by the HJFL. The teams are: Bartestree, Belmont Eagles, Bromyard Town, Credenhill Juniors, FC Phoenix, Greyhound City Sports, Hereford Lads Club, Leominster Minors, Orleton, Pegasus Juniors, Pegasus Juniors Colts, Pencombe, Ross United Services Colts, Ross United Services Rebels, Wellington, Weobley, Westfields, Westfields Colts. Each team will play each other once, at the end of the season, the top four teams will play each other again to decide the winners. Matches will be played on Saturdays, kick-off at 10:30am