2^ND SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Firstly, I’d like to say what a terrific start to our 3^rd League Campaign. One great performance in an away defeat to a good team; we didn’t deserve to lose by 4 - 1. And then our 1^st Home game V Discoveries; what a fantastic performance that was! It could have easily been 6 or 7 - 1. Once we get going we WILL produce results like that. Thirdly our 2^nd Home game V N.Somercotes; we just didn’t get going at all, performance and football wise.

Having ‘had words’ at half-time, you worked very hard, the effort was great and we managed to get 2 goals back through sheer determination. A sign of a good team is one that can pick up points while not playing especially well. Great character was shown to come back to a draw. Two weeks in a row we have gone behind, but still managed to win one game and draw the other. On the back of all that our team/squad selection over the past 3 weeks has been fully justified. Let’s make that pitch at Lindsey a fortress with a moat around it, full of Killer Sharks! Away teams Beware! Sharks Bite Back!

Clee Community are now putting all Manager’s under extra pressure by making sure all subs are collected in at a certain date each month so any subs outstanding will be notified on a slip and will need to be settled please.

Weather permitting we will be having our beginning of season ‘Photo Shoot’ at Lindsey this Sunday 28^th September at 12 noon. Please attend as there will not be another one. Come in your new kits with your new jackets and bring your sharks t-shirt if you bought one. Parents in t-shirts too please. Various photos will be taken and sent to the Grimsby Telegraph and ALL our Sponsors. If anyone wants to stay for a game of footy afterwards you’re welcome. No money required. The Robert Pearson Memorial Trophy will be spending a week with every player including Mr Didge, hopefully it will come back in the same condition it went out please!

Now to a serious matter. Team selection, squad selection and training seem to be creating an awful lot of talking points. Firstly, Debi does not have anything to do with squad/team selection, none at all. Therefore I must ask that questions/queries regarding this matter not to be text/called to her phone. Rev and Steve are coaching assistants and both do what they are asked to do with a positive attitude, committed to getting the best out of our kids. These two do not have a direct input to the squad/team selection.

They may be asked by myself or Jon what they think to a certain players current form and attitude but that is all. Ian may be involved from time to time regarding on the pitch matters and team selection. I value Ian’s opinion very highly. He understands the game very well and shares the same foot-balling values the same as myself and Jon. Ian will be consulted whenever I feel it’s necessary; on the other hand if Ian, Rev or Steve have any ideas/comments re playing issues I’m willing to listen to them and they’ll be openly discussed.

The Saturday morning squad will ultimately be down to me and Jon and he has a lot more input than he previously had. We two are a team within a team and we trust each others judgement. I am the Manager as we all know and Jon respects that but it doesn’t stop him putting his own ideas forward. The substitutes we made during the N.Somercotes game were down to both of us. Those subs were made at the right time with the right players, on and off tactical substitutes which won us a point. Our success so far this season is down to out team meetings over Coke and Lemonade (Yeah Right Nige, Am I Supposed To Type Lager?) at the Club. Clough and Taylor were quite a management team (ask your Parents lads) but Lawson and Daly are up and coming talent to watch out for. Premiership here we come!

Myself, Debi, Jon, Ian, Rev and Steve put in a lot of time and effort for Clee Sharks in one way or another. This time and effort is purely voluntary and we do it because we enjoy working within football and with all you lads. When we get good results on a Saturday morning it’s all worth it, but it’s not all about playing a game once a week. It’s about us coaching your Son’s football and it’s about your son’s trying to learn and better themselves on a weekly basis. You as Parents are paying for your child to be improved and developed physically and mentally within the game of football.

This season is going to be different from the last 2. I’m a pretty fair Manager and over the last 2 seasons I have tried to give you as many games as I could. Yes I know, some more than others. But I have tried to keep everybody happy. This season some kids and parents are not going to be happy. New players have joined us, quality players that I am very happy to have on board our Shark Ship. These lads have strengthened our team immensely. They have been here for many weeks now and are just as much a part of our team than any other player.

Clee Sharks are now operating how the top teams operate in our age group. It’s all about progression and improvement. We’ve had 2 seasons 2^nd from the bottom league position and the effort we’ve put in over a long period of time deserves some success. Clee Sharks want to win matches this season and we will. Everyone signed for Clee Sharks under their own free will, everyone had a choice. The letter I wrote pre-season is not applicable to now.

So far we have not committed ourselves to ‘selection’ rules. All I will say is if a player has not trained at all in the week they will not play on a Saturday morning. If all players are fit then 4 unfortunate players will not make the Saturday morning squad. Of those selected 5 will be subs and those 5 subs are not necessarily going to get on the pitch during the game. You lads need to catch our eye during training, you need to work hard and make us say “We can’t leave him out as he’s done brilliantly in training.” If you cannot make it to training you must inform myself or Jon with a valid reason. Only these 2 numbers should be rung. Playing for you school team IS a valid reason but we still need to be informed.

The following times are available for discussions regarding team selection.

1. During and after training sessions

2. After the post match talk on a Saturday

At these times I am prepared to answer all your questions and queries as long as they are constructive either face to face by phone or in texts.

I will not be discussing selection issues at any other times apart from these from now on. There are no exceptions. I do have a life outside of football so please respect this.

Teams will be selected on the Thurs or Fri before Saturday game. Parents please remember that if your lad is left out they are not on their own and they will not be the only one upset. To the lads left out I would say get back to training and think “I AM going to make you pick me next week.” Show me how you can work hard and how determined you are. That is what I’d expect from a true Shark.

Let’s go forward together

Nige