After 7 years of managing a Heighington AFC Boys youth team, Vice Chairman of the football club, David Brassell was concerned after hearing that their local adult team, Heighington FC were reaching a critical point after their 14 years of playing and competing together. With only 12 players committing to the team and a meagre £40 in the funds to keep them running they were unfortunately facing the prospect of folding as a team and barely finishing the remainder of their 2015/2016 season. After a few discussions with key members of the squad David eventually agreed to step in, with the focus on trying to help them get back on their feet, helping them finish the season and then committing to a structured training programme throughout the seasons break to strengthen the current squad whilst constantly looking for new squad members to extend the team and ensure they were entering the 2016/2017 strong enough to compete in the Crook and District League in Division 2.
As soon as David began to see promise in what he was working with he realised it was a task he didn’t want to manage solely, he needed someone on hand to help him with decisions and coaching, so he approached old friend Steve Dawes. After playing football with Steve and for Steve in the past David knew exactly what to expect and how their relationship would work for Heighington and was delighted when Steve agreed to jump on board!! Over the weeks the squad progressively grew larger and larger, with word that David was managing the team spreading quickly and attracting many players from other teams, even Northern League… eventually ending up with a squad of over 32 signed on. Since finishing the last season the team now have a brand new strip, with a brand new sponsor and the squad are now training in full training kits and all have their own Heighington FC branded tracksuits.
They now commit to training twice every week and even paid for training facilities throughout the winter months to keep the squad in-form and to preserve the football pitch for ever important League or Cup games, all funded from the teams own growing funds. Training sessions were working well for the squad but not wanting to let them become complacent it was agreed that Darren Anderson would step in to help coach and advise. Back in the UK on a seasonal break from U.S.A. where he is primarily based Darren spent the last half of the season giving the squad, and the management team much of his experience and knowledge to learn from! SO, highlights of their first full season? With so much background work going on and so much commitment from everyone involved it was only a matter of time before everyone’s hard work began to pay off, starting with the team reaching Quarter-Finals and SemiFinals in their first season as a new team!
To then finish their season as Crook and District League Winners was an even bigger celebration, with 98 goals scored they thoroughly deserved their trophy, but they didn’t end it there, a week later, to then compete in the Colin Waites Cup Final at Willington FC’s Northern League ground and finish with a 3-1 winning result the team deservedly returned with a Cup and a double celebration, ending on a massive high!! David has always been passionate about football and not being able to play himself due to an injury, managing a squad of lads with the passion and drive that they have has been a season highlight that he intends to continue with. David was very aware of his role in managing and coaching.
Keeping such a large squad of footballers happy, who are all desperately keen to play football isn’t an easy task, especially when you have 2 fantastic goalkeepers who both deserve to play every game but really have no choice but to be patient with, and accept managements decisions. But each and every one of the lads deserved their celebrations after their efforts. David would like to end the season by thanking his employers, Seaton Leng Funeral Directors, for being patient with him and the time he dedicates to the club. And also the new owners of The Bay Horse in Heighington, Tony and Diane Goodman, along with all of their hard working and friendly staff.
They have completely supported the squad throughout the season and dealt with lots of cheering and excitement within the pub after many wins, which the team are all grateful for. He would also like to thank sponsors, Eyefix iPhones and Word Art by DB, and finally, and more importantly Steve Dawes, Darren Anderson and his entire squad, for committing to the team and for being as passionate about Heighington FC as he is! He is very proud of everyone!! Roll on 2017/2018!! Anyone interested in joining Heighington FC can do so by contacting David Brassell on 07870 777779 ages range from Development right through to adult and over 40’s.
