Mother’s pride at success
In focus
A mother who formed a team to give her son and his friends somewhere to play has seen them win a trophy in their first season.
Mackenzie Haynes was among four Larkfield Larks youngsters left without a side, so mum Trina set up Larkfield Wanderers under-8s, building the squad up to 11 players.
They capped a successful Invicta Primary League campaign by winning the Group F Spring Cup, beating Upchurch Blues 2- 0 and Range Rovers 2-1 in the finals.
On top of that, they were one of only 11 teams out of 217 in the league to earn 100% respect marks.
They celebrated with a blacktie awards night at the Larkfield clubhouse on Saturday.
Manager Trina, a former footballer, runs the team alongside husband Julian and coach Peter Durkin.
She said: “We started out with the four boys from Larkfield Larks, we had three or four who’d never touched a ball before and a couple from other teams.
“We managed to get up to 11 but I don’t think anyone expected us to do as well as we have. The boys are so excited at what they’ve achieved.
“When we started the team last summer we had three friendlies and lost the lot quite heavily.
“But we worked at it, the kids love their football and all the parents are so supportive. We’re like a family. In such a short space of time, everyone has grown so close.”
The main Larkfield presentation evening is held next month but Trina felt the side deserved their own night, attended by 70 players, friends and family.
She said: “The kids all felt special. They got the Spring Cup trophy and we presented little individual awards too.
“The chairman, Adam Handy, came along to give out some awards and he said in 10 years he’d never known a team to do a presentation night off their backs before.
“We’ve got kids at all levels but in the nine or 10 months we’ve had them, they’ve developed brilliantly.” AWARDS Best goalkeeper and bravery: Tommy Maplesden; Best sweeper: Tom Durkin; Best effort and enthusiasm: Riley Boniface; Best team player: Ethan Barwick- Biggs. Most versatile player: Jai Newcombe; Best assist: John Corr; Best skills and top goalscorer: Leyton Arnold; Most powerful player: Beau Taber; Best tackle and most energetic player: Daniel Maplesden. Best football vision: Mackenzie Haynes; Best interceptor: AJ Holbrecht; Mini- mascot: Logan Haynes; No.1 supporter: Brian Maplesden; Sponsor’s award: Mark Maplesden.