Holyhead Hotspur FC

the winner for saturday 24/07 with no.27...........kellie

one winner with 3 13 15 Rose and Kath from the Cafe, well done £300

Good afternoon and welcome to all the Holyhead faithull and welcome back to the New stadium. Also a big welcome to our visitors today, Buckley town of the Cymru alliance, their manager, Gareth Thomas along with their committee and supporters for what is the first teams fourth and penultimate pre-season friendly, Rhydymwyn away a week today being the final, tough test of what I think’s been a challenging set of fixtures this summer which I’m convinced will stand us in good stead for the season ahead.

Since my last report, we’ve had mixed fortunes result wise since beating Tranmere at home in our opening warm-up fixture, 2 weeks ago, we were beaten 2-0 at the new stadium in the 2nd of the ‘double header’ fixtures versus Runcorn town, a game in which we had our chances but I feel we couldn’t grumble too much about the final score. Last Saturday was a more suuccessful affair, running out 4-2 winners away to local rivals, newly promoted the the welsh alliance division 2’s, Bodedern, I believe the kind of football played on the day was closer to the sort of standard we’ll be hoping for on a regular bases when the new season kick’s off, it was especially pleasing to see new signing Barry Haigh getting his first of hopefully many for the club over the coming seasons.

Back to todays game, no doubt this will be a tough game and if last season is any sort of barometer, which it should be as both clubs have retained the bulk of the squads we had last season and if anything, have improved them, then it should be a tight affair, early on last season, we drew 0-0 at the ‘Globe’ before they knocked us out of the Cymru alliance league cup by 1 goal to nil, then in february, another stalemate, this time with a one all scoreline. Buckley, like us have had a challenging summer schedule, with a win against fellow hard done by relegation victims, Denbigh town by the odd goal in 3 and draws against Llanrwst and Pilkingtons amongst their results, so as I said, a tough game is anticipated.

On to the reserves, since their opening 1-1 draw with Llanberis, they managed to go one better than the first x1 and beat Runcorn town reserves by 3 goals to nil, for me, what was even more pleasing than the result was to see a squad of what I managed to count of about 24 players all kitted out and raring for a piece of the action! They followed that up with a 6-2 away win at Llanyrchemedd before unluckily having a win snatched from their grasp by a last kick of the ball equaliser by Beaumaris town last week, that game finishing 2-2. Their penultimate summer fixture being away to Amlwch town last night, with their final game being at home to Glantraeth next Saturday, 14.00 kick off.

The Cymru alliance fixtures are out and up on the web-site, but hopefully, the boys will have them printed somewhere futher on in this edition aswell as up on the notice board at the ground, the Gwynedd league fixtures hoefully will be issued shortly. A few of the highlights include an opening league game at home v Llanrug on Saturday, 14th of August, 14.30 kick off, I’m hoping to have that brought forward to Friday evening, so keep a look out for that change and doubtless many others over the duration of the campaign, I’m working closely with Llangefni town to maximise possible attendance figures for both clubs by not playing matches on the same days, there are many ‘footy fans’ from all over the island that will be hoping to take in both teams games. Other highlights are Tuesday 17th, home to Llanberis, no fixture on Saturday 24th so far, as that is the conference date for the welsh trophy, a competition we haven’t entered as we feel a 30 game league campaign, the two mandatory cups, barrett and cookson aswell ad the nwcfa challenge cup and the welsh senior cup, in which we have a preliminary round 2 tie away to Llandudno junction on the 28th of august, is sufficient.

On to other news, I managed to secure an inspection of ‘the Oval’ field and it’s facilities last Saturday, by Eric wyn Jones, the welsh alliance fixture and registration secretary, to try and avoid another crazy scenario like we had last season when we arranged to play a match their against Bethesda as the new pitch was unplayable, but they refused to play on it as it was not a recognised cymru alliance acredited pitch, despite the fact that it’s of a better standard than many of that leagues grounds, Eric was impressed to the point of being shocked at the standard of facilities we have at our disposal, far better than he’s been used to in the leagues he’s been involved with for many years, and he doesn’t envisage a problem with the application when he submits it to the leagues management committee. The first of the new walkways, currently situated at the top of the ground has been re-furbished by Grays engineering and my father-in-law Tony has been busy painting it aswell as just about anything else in the ground that doesn’t move, for that I thank him, the extra support around the ground we’ve had form the likes of him, john mcguire, dixie, titch, mark ‘fatboys disco’ hughes and carl chambers aswell as some players, added to the the on-going efforts of mike taylor and davey hughes and others that I apologise if I’ve forgotten to mention them, has been extremely heart-warming, long may it continue!

Finally, why not take a look in the newly re-vamped club shop at the portacabin, many new lines have been added this season to the existing range, it’ll be opened by myself before , half-time and after most matches, pictures of which will hopefully be on the web-site by the time you read this.

Any queries regarding the shop, fixtures or any other club matters, don’t hesitate to give me a call on 07825333742 or e.mail me, davidsticky@tiscali.co.uk

Many thanks and enjoy the day,

DAVE,

Club secretary

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NEWS.

At the recent Annual General Meeting the following Officers and Managers were appointed for the forthcoming season:

Chairman Dave Hughes 764580

Vice Chairman John Maguire 760404

Secretary Dylan Edwards 760752

Treasurer Richard Parry 762904

Welfare Richard Parry 762904

Coordinator Boys Mark Blackwell 761882

Coordinator Fixtures Mark Owen 769432

Coordinator Fun Football Mark Owen 769432

Assistant Welfare and Coordinator Girls posts not filled

Managers (and Monitors)

Under 7 A’s Paul Rowlands, John Maguire, Charlotte Webb,

Under 7 B’s Gareth Rees, Gareth Roberts, (Dylan Edwards, Paul Rowlands)

Under 9’s Mark Owen, Colin Jewell, Jonathan Jones

Under 9 Hawks Eifion Jones, Martin Jones, Mark Chant, Mark Hebenstriet

Under 9 Harriers David Collins Jones, Liza Wright, Andy Devlin, (Eifion Jones)

Under 11 A’s Kevin Lewis, Rikkie Jones

Under 11 B’s Mel McGinness, Mathew Morris

Under 12’s Chris Harper, Darren Harrison

Under 14’s Mark Blackwell, Ian Jones, Melvin Gordon

Under 16’s John Batson, Keith Lawson, Steve Dunne

Unattached Jamie Doutch, Mathew Doutch, Danny Dumbaerton

Goalkeeping Coach

Richard Jones 741870

The Club is pleased to announce that five of its Coaches have recently started FAW Coaching Courses. Mark Owen and Danny Dumbarton are taking their FAW ‘B’ Coaching badge, and Ian Jones, Paul Rowlands and Rikkie Jones are taking their FAW ‘C’ Coaching badge. The Club is blessed with several more ‘C’ Badge holders and with many Coaches and Assistants with FAW Leaders and First Aid qualifications.

To meet the demand placed on us by children and parents we have started two new teams this year, a first year Under 7’s and a third Under 9’s team.

We welcome eight new Coaches and Assistants this year Liza Wright, David Collins Jones, Gareth Rees, Gareth Roberts, Darren Harrison, Melvin Gordon and Andy Devlin.

All Coaches and Assistants have to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked by the Police, and attain FAW Leaders and First Aid qualifications. If they want to strive for their ‘C’ badge or ‘B’ badge they must pass a Child Welfare Course and join the Welsh Coaches Association. It’s only when you put this in print that you realize the amount of time and commitment given by willing volunteers.

Not every one who works within our Youth Development are Coaches or Assistants, so we thank the committee and the ‘army’ of willing parents and helpers who play their part in what we try to do for our young people.

The Under 9 Harriers new kit has been sponsored by MY Scaffolding and we thank them publicly. If you want to sponsor a team or give a donation to our work please contact the Treasurer 762904.

I need to mention also the Isle of Anglesey County Council who administer

the Sports Council for Wales Community Chest. This is a fund that will help Clubs by giving grants for Coaching courses, and we have received generous support from them in the past.

We need to re-establish our girls team, so if you know of anyone who is interested in playing football or helping in the running of a girls team please phone any of the above named. The Club has more than sufficient resources to be able to give whatever help is needed to get this underway.

On Thursday/Friday 21/22 July in glorious weather Mark Owen and his willing band of coaches organized a very successful ‘Fun Football’ school which was attended by 75 children. Thanks to Mark and everyone involved.

Where do we go with Youth Football? Now that Anglesey Junior football finishes at 16 years of age, players move on to our reserves, Anglesey League or Sunday League, so how would we go about organizing a Youth (under 18) team. At our recent committee meeting we discussed entering the various Youth Cup competitions initially.

A big welcome to all Hotspur supporters for the third home pre-season friendly at the New Stadium, and to the players, officials and followers of Buckley Town from the Cymru Alliance League who provide the opposition this afternoon.

The Globe Way club have always provided us with a stern task ever since we won promotion to the Cymru Alliance at the end of 1997/98. However, with the new structure of the Welsh Premier competition and its downward effect on the Welsh Pyramid system we now find ourselves in the Welsh Alliance, but whatever our strong views on this (finishing eighth place and relegated!!) we have to get on with it, so our visitors are only here this time in a friendly capacity!!

Despite this we will be most surprised if today’s game is not a very competitive encounter and no less enjoyable for it. All we can do is wish the Flintshire club the very best for 2010/11 and hope to be playing them in league matches a.s.a.p.

Following the fine first pre-season work out against Tranmere the game against Vodkat North West Counties side Runcorn Town was disappointing, although more importantly ‘further progress’ in the fitness programme set out by the Williams boys in their preparations for the up and coming campaign in the Welsh Alliance.

Results are not that important in the build-up to the new season as the starting line-ups for the first games of the league programme will invariably be different, plus the fact the likes of Barry ‘Pipes’ Jones, Jon Newell and Curtis Vaughan Williams were absent due to holidays and unavailability.

Poor Barry Haigh had a particularly frustrating afternoon in which nothing went right for him including a missed penalty, but I am sure he will bounce back to get on the scoresheet.

Earlier on the New Oval the Reserves produced an impressive 3-0 result against Runcorn’s second string and like the first team as many players as possible were given a run-out, Dan McGuinness, Mike Williams and Martin McClaymont hitting the target. It is noticeable that there seems more of a physical presence in the squad which augers well as long as the all round progress is maintained.

The previous Monday saw the visit of the St Louis, Missouri USA based Kruits FC Youth Teams who played Holyhead Hotspur and Bodedern simultaneously at the New Stadium and The New Oval (next door). Hotspur held the deep south visitors 2-2 at the former with strikes from Luke Flemming and a cracking free-kick from the impressive Dan Doyle, while Bodedern were put to the sword 6-1. It was intriguing comparing the different cultures and noticeable the respect the Americans had for everyone, something to take on board in this Country sometimes one feels!!!

A few days later at Llanerchymedd Neil Bell’s lads notched half a dozen via Sam Wood, Mike Williams, Dan McGuinness, Adrian Cousins, Tom Scott and an Own Goal.

Last Saturday the Hotspurmen made the short trip to very near neighbours Bodedern and we saw a much sharper Spurs in an excellent work out for both sides. Three one up at the break could have been more via a Mike Edwards special, an own goal (given by linesman without the aid of ‘Hawkeye’ or Sepp Blatter, not to say it is not needed!) and Barry Haigh, while Melvin McGuinness wrapped it up at the end after the home side had earlier brought it back to 2-3.

The Reserves were held 2-2 by Beaumaris after holding a 2-0 interval lead via an Adrian Cousins brace. Next Saturday the first team are at Rhydymwyn and the Reserves will meet a resurgent Glantraeth here at the New Stadium which could prove interesting 2pm kick off.

With the new season commencing in two weeks time Mark and Emlyn must ‘plan for Llan’ as the first three fixtures are home to Llanrug United on the 14th August, Llanberis on the 17th August and away at Llandudno Junction(2nd Qualifying round of the Welsh Cup) on 21st August so keep those dates in mind.

A big welcome to Ira who has joined our medical team and will assist Neil Bell’s side in the Gwynedd League as a Physio, but if Darren McGinn is unavailable will join up with the first team. Ira is based at the Victoria Surgery as a nurse and will be a valuable addition to the club. She is a WBA supporter so will be well used to Blue and White stripes, even if ours are Royal Blue!

Don’t forget to visit Dave at the Club Shop it’s really worth a visit believe me! Enjoy the game but above all keep the faith.