The 2006/7 season saw the Club increase to four age groups
at Under 10, Under 11, Under 12 and Under 14 and several of
our players being selected to play for Brighton School of
Excellence.
Martin Perkins joined the coaching staff and later became
the Under 10's manager taking the players to all the Junior
Kickers Festivals at Burgess Hill in which they were very
successful.
The Under 11's had a good start to the season with a draw
against East Grinstead, but many difficult games followed
with a lot of goals being conceded. Sarah Mingaye was at the
helm and gave encouragement to all the girls with good effect.
Starting the season with just nine players was always going
to be a factor, but disappointment was to follow as half way
through the season, one of the girls withdrew from the team.
Now down to eight, it was definitely an uphill struggle. However,
a win against Newhaven just before Christmas was good but
it took a long time after that for the girls to gather momentum
and it wasn't until the final game of the season against Eastbourne
Borough that they shined once more.
The Under 12's with Steve Bradick as their manager finally
ended up as Runners-Up in the East Division of the league
after a close fought contest in the closing stages of the
season between ourselves, Eastbourne Borough and Patcham United.
The title ultimately came down to the last match of the season
where Eastbourne Borough had to win to avoid a play-off situation.
The Under 14's had their most successful season since the
Club began finishing seventh in the table. Ruth Watson took
the difficult decision to step down as manager at the start
of the season due to personal circumstances and handed the
management of the team over to Paul Cartwright on an interim
basis. The team went on to have the best start to the season
with two wins against Crowborough Athletic and Winkney FC,
but things soon got a bit tougher and several defeats followed.
However, some good play evolved and more importantly, they
started scoring goals. Steve Phythian agreed to take over
managing the team from Paul in November and the team appeared
to grow in confidence.
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