Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
Soccer programs have been added to the sports program at most schools. Thus there are now fixtures arranged with other schools. Even so it still does not have the presige of rugby, at least with the faculty. The mass media has made soccer popular among every social class. The school emphasis can be seen in the school magazines which commonly give far more attention to the results of rugby fixtures than soccer fixtures. The senior team is called the "First XI". The junior team is called the "Colts".`
Yet again the weather intervened to spoil our very short soccer season. We met with greater success than we have enjoyed for a long while, but soccer at Belmont is a game played by rugby fanatics, full of vigour and endeavour but lacking in the final skills of scoring goals.
The Aquileon, (Belmont School, Feldemore), 1986-87
This term has seen the team play unsuccessful fixtures against Lime House, Chetwynde and St. Benedict's. The players are on average still very young, in some cases playing at U11 as well as U13 level. As they move up the School, a much stronger team should emerge in future years. The most valuable lesson to be learnt by the side concerns playing as part of a team. Individual ball skills are good, S. Miller, P. Jackson, S. Merlin, B. Merlin and T. Crowe playing particularly well. However, against stronger and older teams, teamwork becomes much more important, and the lesson is just starting to sink home. A player's own performance will suffer if he tries to do another player's job for him. Credit is due to S. Merlin for setting an example as Captain. .... S. Hckles had a particularly good season as goalkeeper. Congratulations are due to S. Miller, P. Jackson, L. Rudd and S. Heckles on the award of school colours for football.
R.M.J., "Harecroft Hall Newsletter," December 1988.
Twenty-five boys played for the 3rd XI. At this level it is more productive to give as large a number of players a chance to represent the school rather than playing eleven boys only throughout the term and calculasting success only in terms of victories. Much football was enjoyed by many, and great was the benefit.
Lambrook Chronicle, 1980.
In 1978 James Mackenzie at centre-half was Captain and Tom Hensman was on the left wing. In 1988 James's brother David played left half and Tom's brother Harry was on the left wing. .... v St Petro's. It was ten days before we could play our next matchbut practice had been constructive and two newcomers--Rowe and James Fulton--claimed places. A 6-0 victory was indeed excellent and I noted that this was an unselfish team effort, with alertness to move to the ball, determinationin the tackle and percission passing. Macleod (2), Reeves, Hurst, Grant-Sturgis and Fulton were the goal scorers.
CPW Cashell, Fanfare (Mount House School), Autumn 1988
My club had got into the Final of the F.A. Cup. The big day arrived and I led my team on to the pitch. The crowd roared. Then the ref. blew his whistle and the match began. Both teams were battling for the ball. It was an exiting game. Than in the last few seconds of the match I scored a goal. The crowd wnt nad. The ref. blew his whistle. We had won the match. I was the captain. So I went up the stairs and held up the big cup.
Hassan Hassan (Form 2). The Aquileon, (Belmont School, Feldemore), 1986-87
Queen's College Junior School had never played a football match before. We were playing Mannor House; we had set up a round-robin with two teams from each school. We took the visitors to the football pitch, actually the tennis courts in disguise. The first match started and I think Queen's wished it never had; we lost miserably with Manot House not coceding a goal. The concluding score was Manor House three games to Queen's one. We were fairly and squarely beaten.
Giles Watts, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
The Arctic conditions prevailed until the end of February and it was not until the end of February and it was not until half-term tht we could even mark out a pitch. A frustrating time indeed, particularly as the training sessions in the gym revealed a large pool of promissing players. When we did emerge, team positions were easy to fill and we were able to concentrate on team work. The two matches we could play were both away and against much bigger schools. In both games the defense played well, but the forwards never gained sufficient possession to pose a threat. Kosla kept goal confidently; of the backs Fergusson A. ws most effective. Edwards and Portman in misfield were the most skillful players in the team. Hyland M. will be good next year. Llewellyn was a busy and aggressive forward but was unable to shine in the matches. The othrs on the Colts games worked hard and enthusiastically, and a good nucleus will remain for next year.
SJC, The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
.... Gresham's provided us with our customary hard-fought battles and a disappointing result on their territory, when we had much more possession overall but gave away a soft goal in the dying moments through a defensive blunder. However, a stirring score draw at Beeston in windy conditions compensated somewhat for tis, both sides providing excellent entertainment and our captain, Mrk Lintott, equalising a good first half strike from our visitors' centre forward, by capitalising on a slack goal clearance to drive the ball into the roof of the net. Justice was sone as we had forced a succession of corners in the second half and had been very close to scoring on several occassins. Alex Waters had a good debut on the wing, William Jefferson played aggressively in midfield and Philip Morgan worked tirelessly in attack. ....
SB, Surge (Beeston Hall), Autumn 1988.
We arrived at St. Andrews after a long journey (about one hour). We were taken to the changing rooms which were a hall. "We're going to be thrashed," said White. "I don't think so, " I said. When we got our boots on we were led out to the pitch. We were going down hill and it sloped away to the right. We played really badly in the first half. Sir had a talk with us. When we got out on the pitch we were a lot better. White scored a direct free kick from the half way line. Then about 7 min afterwards Smither scored. At that point we didn't think we'd score any more but White scored again, then Hardy, then with a good cross from Hardy, I scored. The score was 5-0 to us.
Tim Meggs, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
As always the under-ten team consisted of a vry keen yet rather inexperienced group. The three games they played were highly entertaining and very close, with more spirit than skill exhibited most of the time. Iain Ambler proved to be a good captain both on and off the field, and his play from midfield was very good. The highlight od the season was the goal scored by Martel James against St Hugh's which was probably the most direct shot that I have ever seen from an under-ten player. Richard Green, Nicholas Preshaw, Robert Allen, Iain Ambler and Martel James formed a very fast-moving nucleus and the team eventually won the last game of the soccer term, against Ranby. A corner-kick was deflected by Jonathan Diprose and reached the back of the goal much to everyone's surprise, especially that of a delighted and amused Jonathan.
The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1984.
There were a number of good robust players at under-10 level but their football skills were lacking and nobody had a "reliable" long kick. We thus were unable to pressurise the opposition defense and get close enough to score goals. Only one in the last match! There was plenty of determination and speed ....
Beaudesert Park Magazine, Autumn 1978.
