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This
weeks interview gave me my first taste of football as a columnist and it
took me to the home of Predators FC. But who were they?
With
a name more suited to an American Ice Hockey team I was relieved of the
fact that they were all under 14. But still I approached with caution.
I
needn’t have worried at all. With the warmest of welcomes from Pat
Hodgson (manager), Steve White (club secretary) and Dave Kelly (coach) I
was sat down in the comfort of the Greaves Hall Leisure Centre with a
coffee while the lads were outside under the floodlights being put through
their paces.
Pat
and Dave explained that they started in September, 1999 with a four plan
to develop the kids that were not getting a regular game in other teams.
Standing on the sidelines week in week out just to get five or ten minutes
play it didn’t do much for confidence. Hence, the formation of Predators
FC.
With
results reaching 21-0 and 17-0 in the first season, their second season
has seen much improved score lines and a dramatic win in the cup over
Kingswood in a penalty shoot out. This was duly celebrated at McDonalds,
where else!
Pat
and Dave showed great enthusiasm when they explained that they wanted to
build on their first victory with a first league win.
Pat
told me that they are always on the look out for new players and that he
and Dave (who pick the team each week) both felt a great sense of
achievement seeing the lads win their first game.
Watching
the lads enjoy the facilities of the Greaves Hall Leisure Centre we
touched on the lack of facilities in the town for football.
Playing
in the local leagues myself for a number of years I can say, through my
experience, that most, not all, border on disgusting. No showers, no
lights, just what you need on a cold winter’s January morning as any
player who has played at Bedford Park can tell you.
As
most teams in any league, Predators rely on sponsors they would like to
thank all their previous sponsors. They are currently looking for a
sponsor who would get involved in the club, a kind of figure head and some
money would be nice!
I
asked if they had any stars for the future and they told me that all the
players had shown great improvement and loyalty and will improve more in
the next few years.
I
asked about the future and beyond. They are going to host a five-a-side
competition in April for the bottom four teams in their league and would
like to thank Lesley Jackson for donating in memory of her son Joseph
Jackson.
Well,
my first trip to a football club went OK! It wasn’t Manchester United
but it was a happy family, more than just a football club, days out at
McDonalds, ten pin bowling in the summer.
Yes
this was a different football club. It had it all, but at the end of the
day it was kids playing football. |
