Apart from a couple of games in the RFYL, the season has been concluded for most of our teams, and it was onto the annual awards presentations. Over the weekend 12th/13th June the football club packed out the Big Club, as 350 players received recognition for their efforts over the season and over 1000 people attending to support their children. The presentations were held over five sessions, starting Friday night and then all day Saturday. Thank you to all our presenters of the awards for giving up their time
Brianna Westrup , Sunderland AFC Women’s club captain;
The new NAFC management team of Mark Wood and Neil Dodd, one of the founders of the club, Joe Blackett’s and our Women’s Captain Courtney Wilson.
The Under 17 Boys, Under 13 Boys, Under 12 Girls all won the leagues and the Under 14 Boys finished runner up. Success in the Spring Cups for Under 7 and Under 10 Girls, will see them both play in the RF premier league next season. Under 16 Girls, once again, reached the final of the Durham County Cup.
Each player was given an award for representing the club throughout the season and each team awarded special trophies for Player of the Year, Outstanding Achievement, Players Player, Managers Player and Most Improved Player.
The club special awards went to
Samantha Harding, parent of an Under 17 Boy’s Player – Darren Scott Community Award:
Under 11 Wildcats – Kev Loscombe – Secretaries Award
Michel Anderson – Under 12 Wildcats – Joe Blackett 0 Manager of the Year Award.
Under 13 Eagles – The Brian Rose Founder Trophy – Team of the Year.
Mini Goal Keeper of the Year – Lincoln Clethro and Goal Keeper of the Year – Courtney Wilson.
Across all five sessions, football cards were sold to raise much needed funds for our sister club in Mombasa, Kenya. Thanks to the generosity of all those who attended we raised over £800, which will give welcome support to the children wanting to play football.
Thanks to Paul Howarth at Newton Press for arranging the Photographer, Colin, PA System and the DJ Mike, playing a selection of rousing football anthems throughout the sessions.
Meanwhile, the enhanced, end of season maintenance was commencing on our home pitches at the Oakleaf Sports Complex. This will complete year seven of our ten year grant from the Football Foundation. The improvement has been significant over the last seven seasons, as all our pitches now have a Pitch Quality score of Good or Advanced. The quality of the playing surfaces goes a long way to improving the performances on the pitch and the successes, this year, certainly backs that up.
So, as one season finishes, all our teams will have short breaks over the summer and be ready for the start of the 2026/2027 season in September. Good luck to all our teams from everyone involved with our FA 3*Accredited Football Club, one of only a small group of elite clubs in County Durham.
Should you want to get involved with the club, as a player or as a coach, or need information on our thriving development sections for 5-7 year old boys and girls, visit our website: www.nayfc.com