Invincible U14s top of the class for schools’ teams
A TOTAL of 13 schools were represented by the Calderdale Schools football teams last season and there were some outstanding performances from the youngsters.
Organisers Paul McDonnell and Dave Weston held trials last September based on school nominations and three squads were formed at U13s, U14s and U15s age groups.
Independent coaches with significant professional experience were appointed, in Rob Day, Dave Nicolls and Adam Powell, and more than 100 players from the 13 schools attended the trials.
The season was brought to an early finish by the pandemic during mid-March but all the players and coaches deserve a great deal of credit in representing their district.
The U14s team can look back on an exceptional season in which they won all 10 of their
Yorkshire fixtures.
The young ‘invincibles’ became the first Calderdale team to win every league game and also reach the Yorkshire final, now scheduled to be played in October against York.
Dave Nicolls’ squad contains several ‘academy’ players and the style, attitude and spirit was a pleasure to watch throughout the season.
There were many highlights to savour but away victories at Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley were the stand out performances because they came against particularly tough opponents.
There is great optimism and excitement for this age group’s challenge in the National Cup next season.
Following the success achieved in the previous season by the U15s, who reached the semi-finals of the ESFA National Cup and lost 3-2 to eventual winners Sunderland, their last campaign was always going to be a tougher one.
This year’s U15s endured a tough season and finished in the bottom half of the Yorkshire
Federation League
Federation League. Their highlights included great victories over York and Barnsley and an away trip to Manchester in the National Cup.
The U13s are the youngest age group to represent the district and the first season provided the opportunity to try and find a balanced squad.
Rob Day rotated the squad but has formed a very strong squad that were riding high in the top four but before the lockdown brought an end to their winning trail.
The highlights for the season included great victories against Sheffield, East Riding and Harrogate and a great cup win against a strong Bolton side.
Weston and McDonnell intend to run the three age groups next season and will hold trials in early September, should circumstances allow. Details will be clarified by respective school PE departments.
McDonnell said: “Whilst a lot of time and effort is spent organising, communicating and travelling, the key thing is to continue showcasing the tremendous talent our area continues to produce.
“Over the last four seasons all the teams have built a fantastic reputation for both ability and attitude, both of which are very rewarding for Dave and myself.”
Calderdale U13s team: Lord (Brooksbank), Hughes (NHGS), Barlow (Lightcliffe), Hepworth (Brooksbank), Burrows (Trinity), Taylor (NHGS), Roberts (Ryburn), Scholey (Brooksbank), Waddington (Ryburn), Hammond (Todmorden), Johnson (Crossley Heath), Smith (Rastrick), Priestley (Lightcliffe), Simpson (Rastrick), Barlow (NHGS), Gill (Crossley Heath), Evans (Brooksbank), Hindle (NHGS), Rawson (Rastrick), Westfall (NHGS), Sutton (Todmorden).
Calderdale U14s team: Cockroft (Ryburn),Mynott (Calder), Farrell (Brooksbank), Cullerton (Crossley Heath), Lister (NHGS), Blacker (Calder), Vaughan (Brooksbank), Kimpton (Ryburn), Comerford (Brighouse), Allinson (Ryburn), Ablett (Brighouse), Chinembiri (Trinity), Thornton (Ryburn), Ciccarelli (Calder), Scott (Ryburn), O’Melia (Brighouse), Priestley (Brighouse), Parker (Park Lane).
Calderdale U15s team: English (NHGS), Wood-Ives (Brighouse), Roberts (Rastrick), Ciccarelli (Calder), Hamer (Brighouse), Smith (Rastrick), Panesar (NHGS), Rice (Ryburn), O’Rielly (Calder), Clarke (Lightcliffe), Singh (Rastrick), Stead (Brighouse), Austin (Calder), Chapman (Lightcliffe), Sewell (Todmorden), Henderson (Crossley Heath), Barraclough (Lightcliffe), Morris (Rastrick), Keegan (NHGS).