WJFC - Woodhouse Junior FC - Under 15s 2005-2006

Under 15's 2005-2006 Presentation Night

I originally brought my son Joe, a quiet unassuming lad, to try out for Woodhouse in 2001 and finally (regrettably) left in 2006, with Joe a confident, strapping centre back and me a Level 1 FA qualified coach.

When we first arrived I was immediately struck at how welcome we were made to feel, something which really is at the core of the club as a whole I’ve found. The manager at the time, Mick Cooke, was (like us all) a happy amateur, and had the unenviable task of putting together virtually a whole squad of lads in the space of a couple of months. The following season was hard work and the team, though losing regularly, stuck together and began improving quite noticeably as the season progressed, with the margin of defeat getting less and less. Eventually, the long awaited first win arrived and the team literally didn’t look back. The following season Mick lead the lads, pretty much the same squad, to a much deserved promotion.

During the following summer Mick had to hand over the reins as his lad had moved up to a team in the top division along with quite a few other lads, who also left (as better footballers) to try their hand at a higher level. It became clear that a volunteer was needed to take over as manager and I nervously put my hand up. I needn’t have worried. The help I received from the committee, Roy Bland, David & Debbie Lunn and the late, great John Clarke was invaluable. The time and commitment these people gave, and continue to give to the club never fails to amaze and impress me. Once I had assembled a reasonable squad, the club arranged and paid for me to take my Level 1 FA coaching badge. I actually got an awful lot personally out of the course and, though very hard work at times, managing a great set of boys. My first season ‘in charge’ so to speak, began slowly but I could see there was a spark of something and some lads who joined not being able to kick a ball almost, were shaping into fair players (if i do say so myself!). We made a couple of signings before Christmas and finished the season stronger than the team that eventually won the league.

The following season was again made difficult when a lot of the squad were ‘poached’ by other teams looking for good players, BUT despite that both me and my son enjoyed our Sundays at Flockton Park.

Unfortunately, my son was approached this summer by a team several divisions higher than Woodhouse and decided, sadly for me, that he’d like to give it a go.

In recent seasons the committee has taken on new people with fresh ideas and I left a club that is visibly on the up and up. I will always recommend anyone to take their son or daughter to play for Woodhouse JFC, and I’ll always thank them and Mick Cooke for helping to make my little lad into the confident young man he is today.. it would be nice to think some other parents think the same of me.