Well, what a weekend the 20th to 22nd May was for EBUFC. With the majority of seasons now over (save the odd league game and the Girls Under 12 Cup Final!) it was time for the end of season presentations, kicking off with the ladies at The Grange on Friday evening.
With disco booked, the bar open and many shiny awards waiting to find homes the ladies and girls of EBUFC took over to crown a storming season – whilst the Ladies were closely beaten by Northampton town in the county cup they recorded a cracking second place finish in the league, meanwhile the Under 12 Girls still have a cup final to play! A cracking night was had by all, especially the nine award winners on the night. By Sunday, the Under 12 Girls had also won the prestigious Team of the Year award, in acknowledgement of their fantastic season off all of our 15 teams – well done Girls!
So to Saturday night and the turn of the under 18 and Adult presentation, held on the Saturday night. With the cricket club outside finishing a rain soaked maximum point victory and the FA Cup final seeing Manchester United sneak a win in extra time, the presentation was delayed by 30 minutes as the players enjoyed both spectacles.
It was the first time the 18’s had joined the adult’s awards, stepping up from the junior ceremony. As they did with the season they took to the step up to adulthood in their stride – first finding the bar and then joining in the banter. They were treated to a hog roast prepared, excellently delivered and served by the Northamptonshire Crackling Company aka Lees Family Butchers. This was then followed by Benjamin Hasker, a comedy Hypnotist who – with a dozen willing volunteers – started to entertain the audience before singling out star of the show Nicky Charlton. Nicky, unbeknown to us all, was not only an excellent footballer but we also discovered hidden talents as a jockey, pianist, burlesque dancer and body builder amongst others. Players, family members and guests all enjoyed the show.
It was great to see Anne Cleaver attend and looking so well. The players and everyone really appreciated her being there and for the service she has and will continue to give the club.
The awards followed to great applause and then this is where the 18’s and their parents took a tactical withdrawal as the adults started the serious drinking followed by the mandatory trip to Wellingborough until the early hours of the morning.
The season was one to be forgotten for the adults as they struggled to get sufficient numbers and a settled squad. Without the contribution of the under 18’s on a Saturday we would have followed many other clubs in not completing the season. Thank you to the Under 18’s and we confirm the new management structure in place for next season :- First Team James Wager, Reserve Team Ian Adcock and Ian Clark, Under 18’s Jake Shurville.
Worth noting that whilst the Adult Pre-Season starts on the 12th July, there are Under 18 trials at The Pioneer on 7th June – All players over the age of 16 and still under 18 by the (INSERT CUT OFF AGE DATE) are invited to attend the open trials.
Finally, we reached Sunday and the day was set up for all of the youth teams – and what a day it was. The coaches and volunteers set up in the morning – Sam Smart was building a marquee at 7am! Alongside the presentation marquee there was also Dart Tag (powerful foam bow and arrows– basically you get to safely shoot each other!), the welcome return of Bubble Football once again, Mini Football, Bouncy Castle, Inflatable Bar Football – all for free for the players! The open bar meant that the parents could kick back and relax whilst the players spent the day wearing themselves out! There was even an outdoor grill to stop rumbling stomachs – players tucking into a free burger or hotdog again supplied by Northamptonshire Crackling Company. These days always prove popular and I can safely say the kids slept well come Sunday evening!
Each of the youth teams had an allotted time for their individual presentation, a time for the coaches and managers to acknowledge the seasons efforts and for the players to pick up their teams medals and trophies – as well as individual awards. It was great to also have the chance to acknowledge the parents and volunteers who help week in week out – no day reminds us all of just how large Earls Barton United is like the youth presentation days and the turnout was fantastic.
As one of the largest football clubs in Northamptonshire it’s inevitable that some of the folks that become so familiar within the club move on and so it was that Kyle Lawrence presented a final, emotional presentation speech to his players – Kyle has given 5 years to the club and has never been anything less than enthusiastic, hardworking and above all likable, in addition he’s a fabulous coach and has been a real asset to the club. We’ll miss him as he moves off to University but there’s always a place for him at the club. The same can be said of Charlie Biggs who too is moving on to bigger things in life – his players will miss him only as much as the rest of us. See you around lads – thanks for everything.
All in all, the whole weekend was a tremendous success – many folks have the presentation dates in the dairy as soon as the dates are announced months before and they are always well attended, great fun and symbolic of a club that always celebrates together. Here’s to next season’ presentations – plans are already underway!
| Most Improved Player Awards | Players Player Awards |
|---|---|
| Under 7 White: Zac Johnson Under 7 Green: Lucas O’Brien Under 8 White: Ben Cowap Under 8 Green: Archie Holgate Under 9: Reilly Evans Under 10: Lewis Chaplin & Sonny King Under 11: Ollie Trembecki Under 12: Boys: Jack Toby & Tyler Clifton-Taylor Under 12: Girls: Alice Greenham Under 13: Bryson Elderton & Tom Smart Under 14: Jordan Wooton Under 18: Louis Miranda-Smedley & Jarell Brown-Gordon 1st Team: Jonathan Wood |
Under 7 White: Connor McVeigh Under 7 Green: Daniel Bastick Under 8 White: Thomas Baker Under 8 Green: Oliver Cadman Under 9: William Blundell Under 10: Paul White Under 11: Jake Morrissey Under 12 Boys: Keelan Hone Under 12 Girls: Ella Valeur Under 13: Ben Thomson Under 14: Joe Burles Under 18: Harry McNeill 1st Team: Laurence Taylor |
| Manager’s Player Awards | Supporters Player Awards |
|---|---|
| Under 7 White: Alfie Punch Under 7 Green: Luke Anderson Under 8 White: Samuel Roberts Under 8 Green: Casey Clements Under 9: Riley White Under 10: George Smart Under 11: Cameron Duff Under 12 Boys: Keelan Hine Under 12 Girls: Brianna Smith Under 13: Finley McGuckin & Charlie GantUnder 14: Simon Cook & George Chapman Under 18: Harry McNeill 1st Team: Mark Collins |
Under 7 White: Niall Saving Under 7 Green:Jacob Rich Under 9: Chester Thorneycroft Under 10: Paul White Under 11: Joseph Kearsley Under 12 Boys: Keelan Hone Under 12 Girls: Analyse Johnson Under 13: Tom Smart Under 14: Lewis Wright & Morgan Harrison Under 18: Dan Talbot |
| Sponsors Player of the Year | Managers Merit Award |
|---|---|
| 1st Team: Dayne Wood Reserves: Rob Charter |
Under 8 White: Mathew Hockney Under 8 Green: Archie Rees |
|
The Malcolm Constable Team of the Year Under 12 Girls |
Young Player of the Year: Lewis Carvell Young Volunteer of the Year: Kyle Lawrence Clubman of the Year: Kirk Thompson |
Congratulations to all of the individual award winners, however if the presentation events highlighted anything it’s that we are one club and every single person that can call his or herself an Earls Barton United Player, Coach or Volunteer makes us what we are – The Green Army! The club would like to thank all of those players, volunteer’s, parents, managers, coaching staff and committee members for all of their hard work over the course of the season.
By the time you have read this the Under 12 Girls will have played their Cup Final and the talk will hopefully be about the Under 12 Girls Cup Winners! Good luck!
Finally, if you want to get involved in the most popular worldwide sport with a family centric, fun club that has some of the best amateur coaches around, get in touch now and release your inner Green Army!