Stags duo take over U7s … rain is so frustrating
Gary Norgate and Matt Mason, two players well-known to Midhurst and Easebourne FC fans, have taken on the new Midhurst U7s team.
Norgate said: “The club haven't had a youth team this young for a few years so for us it was nice to be able to begin the process of being involved in youth football from the very beginning.
"Matt and I have a girl each who play in the team, and it's great to be able to pass on some of our experience to them and watch them grow and develop.
“We've played quite a few games now and each week, improvements are being made. They're all willing to listen and learn which always makes our job easier.
“We were also keen for them to feel as professional as possible with having nice kit. We’ve been so lucky to have four local sponsors, all of whom approached us.
“Matt, who owns Poplar Joinary, has sponsored our kit. Charlie Curtis, who owns Curtis Builders, has sponsored each child with their own tracksuit.
"Tom Merritt Smith is the club’s groundsman and works for Rod Gaskin Kubota Agricultural and Groundcare, who have sponsored the team with coats. Nathan Whitfield, who runs Takumi Plumbing, is sponsoring each child with their own wet jackets.
"It was imperative for us the kids not only enjoy their football but are comfortable with everything it entails from turning up in all kinds of weather and still looking part of a team.”
Team picture, from left: Rosie Mason, Charlie Coombes, Frank Maides, Elliot Grindrod, Ernie Curtis, Ayla Norgate, Lukas Arrowsmith, Rafferty Barringtonwells, Sebastian Chadwick. Not pictured are Max Hayler and Annie Thorpe.
It was another wet weekend that left many of our local football teams kicking their heels instead of a ball.
Bognor Regis Town, Chichester City, Pagham, Midhurst, Selsey and Bosham were among sides without a game.
A series of weekend washouts has left clubs across West Sussex and beyond facing significant backlogs of fixtures.
As reported on the back page, the problems affecting one particular area of the pitch at Nyewood Lane are hitting both the Rocks and Chi City, who have been using it as a temporary home while a new 3G surface is installed at their Oaklands Park HQ.
City were hoping to return to action last night (Wednesday) at Ramsgate but that would have been only the 13th game of their league season – leaving them 25 still to play.
The Rocks have lost a number of matches too – and typically last night’s Sussex Senior Cup tie at Whitehawk because the Hawks had to play a rearranged FA Trophy match at Hythe on Tuesday which been rained off last Saturday.
Bognor have so far played 17 league games, so they also 25 to squeexe into the final four-and-a-little months of the season.
Things are not quite so critical – yet – for teams in the Southern Combination League as they have smaller divisions but our local sides in the SCFL will also be hoping for a drier spell in the coming weeks.
sussexworld.co.uk/sport