19 Aug 2008 - UNDER 16's 2008-09 SEASON

The forthcoming season will see the Under 16 'Colts' competing in the Rother U16 Combination League.

Of the 12 teams in the league, the 'Colts' will be one of only two representing Eastbourne and there could be up to 22 games to play.

With the away cup tie against Jarvis Brook on 28 September, and with a good cup run, this could be 24 to 29+

This is yet to be confirmed as on the league's website there are the usual 'Red' and 'Blue' leagues, which are at present blank, in addition to the Combination League currently showing all the teams together.

So it's not known if there is a split up of the 'Combination' into the 'Red' and 'Blue' leagues at some point during the season. Hopefully all will be made clearer after the Manager's Meeting on September 1st.

Comment.

"With what appears an initial higher number of teams in one larger league, some possibly stronger than before, it could potentially be at least a harder first half of the season for the players.

Selection on individual performances that benefits the team as a whole will possibly play a bigger factor than maybe it has done in the past.

It will up to each player, both in training and the games ,to present the management with the problem of selection by appropriate performance and attitude levels.

It is anticipated that it will be much more of a tactics and squad game with team members used according to these aspects and also during a fixture.

Along with other developments introduced this will hopefully help each player's progression by introducing limited aspects of the world of Under18/adult football that hopefully they will go onto from 2009-10.

Although we have an excellent disciplinary record, it is worth mentioning the new 'Respect' initiative from the Football Association that is being applied at all levels of the game.

Remember the game officials are only human...they're not going to get it right all the time....and YOU might be wrong in what you think happened that caused the whistle to be blown.

It will be even more important to just get on with the game as, being the sceptic I am, can forsee less sporting sides than ours trying to do things that get a reaction to gain an advantage.

The best answer to that is..... ignoring and not being intimidated by any antics that may occur....concentrating on your game....beating them with football....defend and attack as a unit.

If you get angry....make it a positive anger and hit them where it hurts....by getting a result against them."

Peter Lacey

U16 Joint Manager