Club News - 2003-04

Sun 04 Jul 2004 - Swifts' ace is penalty champion. 
THREE hotshots, Ben Butler, Joe Crichard and Jack Pritchard, represented Ledbury Swifts in the Herefordshire final of Ready Steady Win's 2004 Penalty Taking competition. All three boys had previously won the regional qualifying round staged at their Ross Road base in Ledbury and had earned their place in the final. The final took place in a beautiful setting at the Royal College for the Blind in Hereford and was blessed by good weather. All three boys competed in the 7-10 year category. The final involved 15 boys and began with each boy taking five penalties against one of three goalkeepers before moving on to a knockout phase. Ben Butler was first up for the Swifts and scored four great penalties with one going just wide. Joe soon followed and dispatched his five penalties with confidence. Jack also soon followed in a well organised competition, however, it was Jack's luck to draw Paddy Merryman in goal. Paddy, also from Ledbury Swifts, had been chosen to be one of the three goalkeepers. Jack managed to get three penalties past Paddy, one hit the post and one was magnificently saved by Paddy. Paddy was in such good form that at one stage he saved five penalties in a row and was clearly the best goalkeeper on show. At the end of the initial phase of the competition four of the older boys had been successful in converting all of their penalties and went through to the knock out phase of the competition. It was very tense as all four boys scored their first three penalties and it looked like the competition would go on all day. However, one by one the boys dropped out with only Joe Crichard holding his nerve and managing to score 11 out of 11 penalties. Joe's last penalty was driven into the right corner of the net with such style that it was only fitting that he won the competition and created further success for the Ledbury Swifts club. A thank you must go to Paddy Merryman and to `Ready Steady Win' and their sponsors for a great competition and a great day out.

Sun 27 Jun 2004: Swifts score £1,300 at soccer fete
The Ledbury Swifts Fete at the Ross Road Playing Field this year attracted a crowd over 500 strong and raised more than £1,300 for club funds. Eight teams took part in the under-8s soccer tournament, which was won by a squad from Welland. Swifts spokesman Steve Onions thanked local businesses and individuals for their sponsorship of the contest, programme and medals, and the general public for their support. He said: "It was excellent, really - a fine afternoon." Other attractions included stalls, skittles, a pork roast, games, a bouncy castle and mini jeeps for youngsters.

Fri 28 May 2004: Ledbury Swifts hold presentation evening
LEDBURY Swifts bought to an end one of their most successful seasons with a well attended presentation evening. Managers, players and, most importantly, parents crowded into the Pavilion rooms to acknowledge the success achieved by all the teams over the season and to pay tribute to those who were selected to receive individual awards. It is not very often that all the Swifts teams get together at one time, so it was very pleasing to see children as young as five mingling with those up to age 18, all with the common bond of belonging to the same club. The managers/coaches of each age group select an individual to be their player of the year based not only on skill, but also taking into consideration the child's commitment, attitude and behaviour whilst representing the club and this year's recipients reflected those values.

The winners were: U6, The Colin Goodrum Award, Harvey Moss; U7, The Ian Colwell Award, Harrison Francis; U8, Phillip Hodges Shield, Daniel Swell; U9, LRBL Young Swift, David Nash; U10, Ken Long Trophy, Sam Keetch; U10 Rangers, Kieran Philips, U12, Ted Parry Trophy, Sam Crichard; U13, Bob Barnes Trophy, Josh Emery; U14, not awarded, team was disbanded; U15, J B Gaynan & Son Trophy, Adrian Hodges; U16, Ledbury Sports & Leisure, Matthew Cale. New for this year. U18, Gladrags Golf Society, Tom Barker.

As well as the individual trophies, awards were given to the team of the year and the president's award, for the club personality. These awards are voted for by the managers and committee members, this year's winners were: The team of the year, The Stewart McLean Memorial Trophy, the U10s managed by John Keetch and Gary Walton just shaded it by virtue of their league championship success, the club's first for 12 years, being undefeated in the league, playing 26 games, drawing only four. They scored 104 goals and conceded only 14, a fantastic sustained performance. The president's award went to Ron Davies, who as well as managing the U12s, organised the Christmas draw and also the club discos, as well as refereeing several games for the other teams. On making the presentation, the president Don Rule paid tribute to all the managers and coaches for their voluntary contribution to the children of the community. Mr Rule said: "The Swifts continue to lead the way in youth sport in the area."

Almost matching the league success of the U10s were the U11s, who finished runners up in their division but they also achieved cup success, winning the Tony Cole Vase at Edgar Street, the weekend before, almost a league and cup double. The U9s in their first season also finished as runners up, another remarkable achievement. The introduction of an U18s team means that the club now has teams for all ages, and they hope to introduce a girls team next year, if they can attract enough to form a team. The secretary thanked the parents for their support, without which the club could not function and he thanked the managers for their hard work and commitment throughout the season and reminded them it was not quite over yet, as the AGM is on June 13 and the fete is on June 20. Preparations for next season have already started, if anyone would like any information about joining, contact the secretary on (01531) 633722.

(Ledbury Reporter)


Fri 02 Apr 2004 - Swifts benefit from specialist training 
LEDBURY Swifts have been running specialist football training courses at the John Masefield Leisure Centre for children of both sexes aged from 8 to 16 years of age. The courses have been run by John Hodge who has been a professional footballer for 12 years, playing for Manchester United, Swansea City and Walsall. John is a UEFA B qualified coach and has used his skills and experience to provide an exciting programme of coaching for the children. In addition he has acted as a mentor to the existing Swifts coaching team to facilitate a knowledge transfer of ideas and methods. Approximately 200 children from the Ledbury area have attended and benefited the courses which were only made possible by a Community Pride Grant to the Swifts via The Market Towns Initiative Programme, Ledbury Area Regeneration Partnership and Advantage West Midlands. The Swifts currently have four of their league sides participating in championship play-offs, of which one team is also through to the cup final for its age group. The additional coaching made available by this grant has benefited the Swifts greatly, who look set to enjoy another successful season.