About 15 years ago I took my son Michael along to a Woodbank Junior football session that his friend Taighs’ mum had told me about. Previous to that his football activities had consisted of kick about in the garden and at the park. And so it all began, his love affair with the game, and my years of involvement, first as a parent and then as a coach. That is Michael and Taigh in the picture above, they are also the two young men you can see coaching a new generation of kids on the summer camp video on the home page of the website.
We have together had a great experience, and I would recommend it to any parents from Ramsbottom, Bury or the surroundings areas who are looking to get their kids involved in boys or girls junior football. They started out in the under 7s team and have gone all the way through the age groups and now play in the Woodbank under 21s team in the Bolton & Bury League.
In the intervening years we had a lot of fun and the experience has made for lasting friendships both for players and parents. We’ve had some great trips away, playing in tournaments and actually managing to win a few things along the way, including a tournament on the hallowed turf of Anfield.
I took on the role of coaching the team when they were under 10s. It was very much a learning process. Though from that day on I did my best to instil in the boys, the importance of playing the game as it should be played, respecting officials, teammates and opponents at all times, to always give your best, to always work for your team, and to never stop trying, no matter how difficult things might become. I would like to think that those values they learnt playing football have helped in some way the fine group of young men they have become today!
So, if you are reading this and looking for somewhere for your child to play some football, please get in touch and come along to Nuttall Park and give it a try and contact us
Please don’t think it’s all about ability, it is not. It’s all it’s about encouraging kids to try their best. Please don’t think it’s all about winning, it is not. It’s about, and should always be about, kids having fun.
Tony Flynn
Head of Youth Development, Woodbank Junior Football Club,
Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom
