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Under 17's Signing Off

Under 17's Signing Off

Kevin Office16 May 2022 - 12:18
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Under 17's sign off their time with TUFC with an exhibition match against the club coaches

A player's football journey with TUFC must, unfortunately, come to a close and with the end of the competitive season in the past, it was time for us to wish a fond farewell to our Under 17's players as they move on to pastures new in adult football. What better way than to display their immense skills against a team comprised of club coaches, parents, and former team players.

As the teams donned shinpads and boots it was difficult to separate which team wanted to leave victorious with both teams talking the talk but it was clear to see during the warm-up which team really did want the win as the Under 17's squad were put through an energetic warm-up by club chairman Bruce Parvin. In contrast, the coaches, led by the Under 17's normal manager & Club Secretary, Steve Henderson, enjoyed a more leisurely warm-up.

Teams:
Under 17s: Jude, Ryan, Liam (C), Lucas, Manny, Mikey, Alex, Jonha, Ollie, Joe, James, Tom, Jake, Josh, Joe.
Coaches: Chris, Glen, Steve (C), Matt, Dan, Saul, Karl, Sam, Kevin, John, Joe, Chris, Glen + Special guests

It was now down to the Referee (Adam Jackson, TUFC Coach and Referee) to get things going and with a swift blow of his whistle, the teams gathered on the pitch ready to set in motion the most difficult game of football ever undertaken by the TUFC coaching team.

It was the Under 17's who took the lead in the first half putting 2 goals into the net before the 40-minute mark before the TUFC coaches were awarded a penalty and it was over to team captain Steve to convert the opportunity. Stepping forward the tension was clear, Under 17's coach Vs Under 17's goalkeeper neither wanting to let the other win. Whistle blows and the ball glides past the keeper's left side and into the back of the net. Coaches are back in it, the score stands at 2-1 as we go into halftime.

After the shortest of halftime breaks, it was into action for the teams and fatigue was starting to set in. It was on each and every player to battle hard, chase the balls, and win the tackles if they were going to leave the field victorious. At times it was end-to-end action with the TUFC coaches midfield working tirelessly to regain possession but with younger legs, it was the Under 17's who had the upper hand. The first goal of the half came in the 61st minute by the Under 17's swiftly followed by 2 goals for the coaches on the 65th and 67th minutes to bring the score to 3-3.

On the 78th minute, both teams were able to score, and with the score at 4-4, tired legs and the occasional stumble (Kev), it was time to put the game to bed and get the winner, or so the coaches thought as they netted the ball again in the 80th minute. However, in the 82nd minute, the Referee awarded the Under 17's a penalty which was converted despite the monumental efforts of the coach's goalkeeper to keep it out of the net. With the score sitting at 5-5 and just a couple of minutes left it really was all to play for and with almost the last kick of the game the Under 17's were able to score the final goal of the game allowing them to leave victorious having won 6-5.

Following the game, the Under 17's held their end-of-season trophy presentation during which it was also time for team coaches Steve and Glen to bring to a close their 10 years of team coaching in what was an emotional end of an era speech.

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