January Player of the Month
Well, we made it folks, we're into February now but I have to admit January felt like a hell of a year! Fingers crossed for some nicer weather, fewer games being cancelled, and a smidge less mud in all our cars!
Speaking of nicer things, let's have a look at the nominations for January's Player of the Month. There's a lot of them this time which is great to see, and some cracking individual bits of recognition for each of them too.
Minis
Our player of the month is Grace. Grace is just everything you want from a player, that’s new to football. Enthusiastic, listens, wants to learn everything about the game. She's keen (sometimes too keen, there’s been plenty of times I’ve had to blow my whistle when the ball has gone out of play and she’s still tackling away), takes it all in and puts into practice. She’s not afraid to get stuck into the lads either, being brave and putting in the big tackles and winning the ball.
Coming from a family who really have had no interest if the game, all she wants to do is learn and to play football. Grace is coming on brilliantly if she keeps making the strides that she’s been making, we could have a future Lioness in the making.
Keep up the good work, Grace and carry on being you 👍🏼👍🏼
Under-7’s
Our player of the month is Freddie. We had our 1st game in January and even though we lost, Freddie excelled and was the standout player winning player of the match. In the 1st half Freddie was in goal where he made some crucial saves including, saving a penalty.
When he was on the pitch in the 2nd half he scored 2 goals and helped us to a morale boosting 2nd half win. Now not many players can say they saved a penalty and scored 2 goals in the same game.
Well done Freddie, keep up being the great player you are and fantastic team mate.
Under-8’s
This month we have chosen Harry to be player of the month because he demonstrates excellent listening skills, which helps him understand the game and follow the coach's instructions effectively. His strong defensive abilities keep the team solid at the back, while his versatility as a winger allows him to create opportunities and support attacks.
His commitment to teamwork and his ability to adapt to different roles make him an invaluable asset to the team and this is exactly why he is our captain. Overall, Harry's hard work and dedication truly deserve this recognition! Well done Harry keep up the good work.
Under-10’s
Our recommendation for this month's POTM is Lian Agolli. Lian is one of the team's longest serving player's. He's almost always the first to training and attends every session to help improve his fitness and his game. He listens intently and puts the maximum effort in every week.
Lian won his first MOTM in January with an awesome performance that demonstrated his progression to the max. Lian lacks confidence in his own ability but is super-popular amongst his team mates and it was amazing to witness his growth to achieve the MOTM award.
Despite his lack of confidence, we coaches can see the player in there and always believed Lian would realise his potential.
Under-11's
Flo is my Player of the Month for January. The standards she sets in training act as the benchmark for which I'd like to see all the boys aspire to. Beyond that, in January Flo's match contributions were exceptional.
Aside from her physical strength put to great effect, her passing has become very intelligent, measured and extremely accurate. Flo is now able to find an array of forward thinking, and often quality defence splitting passes. Her effort and work rate can never be questioned, and on a personal note, I am very proud of the player she's become.
Flo, if you continue to develop your game with the same application you show now, you'll be a world beater one day! Keep up the good work...
Under-12’s
Player of the month for us this month is Tommy Hyde. Tommy joined us at the back end of last season and joined being a complete novice in the game however through his hard work and determination has become a regular within the team his on-field performance improves week in week out.
This weekend he stepped completely out of his comfort zone and came out of defence having been reluctant to do so previously and got stuck straight in making some impressive runs down the left and taking players on.
In training we cannot fault Tommy's attitude and positive behaviour, he attends each and every session, he is one who always gives maximum effort in training and is always willing to help us clear away any equipment keep up the hard work Tommy!!!!
Under-13 Panthers:
U13 Panthers player of the month for January is Ruben.
Ruben has grown in confidence tenfold since joining us. He is so calm under pressure and knows how to take charge and clear the danger, great attributes for a centre back. Ruben is becoming one of those players that pick themselves in the starting 11. Off the pitch Ruben is so polite and helpful, he really is a pleasure to coach. Ruben earned both coaches player of the match and captains player of the match, in our 2 matches in January. He is well liked and respected by teammates, parents and coaches alike. I just know he has a bright future.
Under-13 Lions:
Our nominee for player of the month is Raul. Raul has always had exceptional technical ability, possessing some of the finest feet in our team. Over the past month, he has taken his game to another level, adding aggression and desire while dictating play from midfield. His ability to spray passes and create chances for our attacking players has been outstanding.
Beyond his on-ball contributions, Raul has been vocal in training and on the pitch, showing a real passion for winning and a growing sense of leadership. His commitment was perfectly highlighted in our most recent game, where he capped off a strong performance with a fantastic goal - a beautifully controlled shot into the bottom corner. Well done, Raul!
Under-14 Tigers:
Our nomination this month goes to someone who has been working really hard and increasing their efforts on the pitch. Mason Wright. During a hard fought (and terribly biased!) match in Desborough, Mase was asked to lead the team and gave us a true captain's performance to keep us in the fight. He didn't stop running, fought for every ball, and showed all the attitude we are looking for from our team.
Cut to the cup quarter final, in torrential freezing rain and high winds, and despite all that, Mase gave us another quality performance. Opening the scoring from distance to settle the nerves and then working for the rest of the team to secure a place in the semis.
The Tigers are riding high right now, and Mase's huge efforts in January are a big part of that.
Under-15’s
Our nomination for POTM January 2025 is Joshy.
Josh is a character to say the least 😊He’s a player that the team really appreciate as he always seems to pull something out of nothing when least expected. Josh will be the first to admit his consistency is not always the best, but in recent weeks he’s shown a passion and desire that is consistent in training and in games.
He’s one of those maverick players where he will do something that you didn’t want him to do, but then will totally make up for it by getting out a tight corner and scoring or assisting a goal. He now understands his role as a wing back and to defend in a 5 when needed as well as attack in a quickfire front line.
Josh loves football and he has grown with the team in terms of his and our progression since he joined. He’s a lad that use to hang off the cross bar at training to a lad that now means business and is a handful for any defence. In our recent League cup QF he stepped up to take the final penalty that took us through, confident and a true strike, keeper had no chance, the team were all over him as he sent us into the semi-final! A huge moment in our season.
Well done Joshy, you have really grown up and we can see the changes in you within football and outside as well with your mum and Jaxon, becoming more responsible and taking ownership, with lots more to come as you get bigger and stronger!!
⚽️Jay & Simon ⚽️
