Pickle Rick

My son is starting in the U7’s  league after playing some Little Kickers for a year and then for his grassroots team the last two years. He loves it and I’ve taken a coaching/manager role. It will be ‘interesting’ to see how things transpire.

It’s a great club and we have many volunteers. The parents are also top notch. Played a few friendly matches and it’s all gone well.

So many things to sort though!!

I noticed the game is on Sky Go. I have Sky via my PS4. Does anyone know if I can watch it on there, or will it have to be the tablet?

12 hours ago, GrahamC said:

I’m a 42 in chest mate & had bought a large, it was miles too big.

Medium is perfect.

I’m nowhere near as tall as you (5ft 10) but would suggest probably that.

Same height and more or less chest size.

Usually a M or L in tops and a M is perfect with the goalie shirt I bought.

Tried the L and was immediately like ‘na’!

Lots of overreactions.

Indeed, Hummel is much better, but we have had to sign an alternative deal and O’Neills were unfortunately chosen. Rather that than generic Adidas or Nike stuff. 

Hopefully when the kit deal is over, the club will agree with a better manufacturer.

I bought the goalie home shirt and I can’t quibble at the quality, only the fact the sponsors are printed like on rugby shirts.

Went in the shop today and got the last size M home goalie shirt!

If anyone wanted one, there was only one L on the rails, otherwise XL upward only (and in small number). Best to call before turning up. They may have more L & S yet to be put out.

Plenty pink ones still though.

Training gear available in store. Also I saw some ‘heritage’ green goalie shirts being unpacked which will be available. Think they were the same as below:

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/heritage-shirt-pre-order-details/

Just thought I’d message back an update from my original post…

My son went to a JPL session and I think we were both underwhelmed. The training standard was not better than our grassroots club. The standard of player was not overly high. Probably more selfish players if anything!! 

This was for U7’s though and early days in that regard. Things probably need to shape up.

I’ve heard a lot of comments in conversation which includes ‘money spinner’ more than anything else. Everybody will have their own experience though.

As for the club my son plays for, things have come on really well in preparation for their upcoming 2024/25 season.

As for quality of coaching, I’ll just say we are very fortunate. 

1 hour ago, Slacker said:

Mbappe.Right on his hooter.

Got one last night, didn’t he?!

Been mentioned before, but Maenpaa is the best GK I can think of in the last 20 years or so. Shame he didn’t stay fit though! Could’ve done a really good job if he signed a couple years earlier.

I never rated Heaton when he played for City. Obvs went on to have a good career. But I don’t understand how he could be considered any good during his time at AG.

Could really propel his career and make him a regular for us the following season. Great move.

Was it not Marcelo Bielsa who inspired Pep?

Saw something on Twitter that a big batch of stock has arrived at the club.

Likely the new kit, so more or less ready for the launch. It’s O’Neills gear just to confirm!

12 hours ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

I forget his name now, but there was a very promising and well thought of Rovers keeper who signed for (I think) Arsenal.

I’m pretty sure he didn’t make a single EPL appearance during his highly paid stint there, over quite a few seasons, and was transferred recently to a localish club.

Probably a millionaire, but spent several years just sitting on the bench (plus training, of course).

Rhys Evans at Chelsea is another similar example of this. Managed to earn £30k a week and never played for his parent club.

True story - he almost made his Chelsea debut in the Champions League, but he would’ve been due a wage hike (maybe a contract extension too) if he did. Instead, a new goalie was signed and he had to sit on the bench instead!

https://www.soccer04.shop/
 

New weblink

They change it every now and again. Can’t guess why

Most my son’s kits are from there. Also good for NBA jerseys

All the best to him.

Would be surprised to see him sign for a club below the midlands.

I don’t think he wanted to stay at this stage in his career as his contract expires. He’s found himself down south, signing under Pearson.

Perhaps it is the right time that he moved back closer to home up north.

49 minutes ago, grifty said:

19 years  6th April 2005.

Just pipped you.

April 3rd 2005

And a few name changes along the way.

Was Scrumpy originally.

Been following this thread closely. Really good points made. But what I think is disgusting is that we haven’t even been informed what next season’s socks look like!!

JL out!

Has anyone had their child play in the JPL? It’s early days, but my son might get involved in it. Saturday matches instead of grassroots’ traditional Sunday is what I’m told.

Maybe the training and coaches approach might be different also?!

For those who have a son/daughter playing football in the JPL and may have previously been in grassroots, what experiences and opinions do you guys have as parents/carers? 

Any comparisons between both the JPL and grassroots?

I’m new to all this as my son will be playing matches as he enters Year 2 from September and has played for a club since he was about 3 years old.

On a side note, but still relates…

There’s so many people in and around the ground making videos in ‘selfie’ mode; chatting with their mates and random people.

Thanks YouTube.

I’m sure there’s a few decent ones around, but I find it very odd to see.

6 hours ago, Curr Avon said:

Lee Sprinkler.

Five minutes pressing rinsed Swansea and transformed the game.

At the final whistle Lee opined, "The gaffer told me to force it. Sorry Swansea, can I spray you every week?"

More running than Knight and Weimann combined

4 hours ago, RedM said:

That's got to be a security concern at the very least

It’s ridiculous. Although for the first time this weekend, stewards were placed on all the doors I could see. However it’s happened more or less every game to memory this season!

13 minutes ago, RedM said:

I've seen it every time I've sat (legitimately) in the Lansdown. A bit of a giveaway are those that place themselves in the spare hospitality seats then don't go in at half time.

True there are no really bad views in the ground but a prime place side view is always going to be better than behind the goal and is priced at a premium. Similarly Dolman wings are cheaper than centre etc.

People do buy cheap tickets and sit in expensive seats. If the club are stupid enough not to close the loophole then people will do it.

A couple issues that can be simply nullified:

Stewards actually check tickets when walking out the concourse and to their seats.

Stewards don’t just stand there at turnstiles while people get freely let in by their mates at the fire doors. This is ridiculous. I once saw someone let in at least half a dozen people (not all at once) and then quickly scramble away into the crowd within the concourse.

It’s not just customers who buy cheap tickets elsewhere, it’s those who keep getting let in for free. I see this in the Lansdown.

4 hours ago, TinMan's left peg said:

Songs like this are great, felt like everyone in the Dolman was joining in.  More please! (Obviously going 3-0 up helps so more of that too!) 

At first, the Southampton fans were ‘joining in’ too until they realised what the chant was

That was the best bit

1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

Was this a sarcastic post? He was atrocious, starting with penalising Mccrorie for skinning two of their players. Weirdest decision I can remember in a long time 

It was an easier game to referee, VAR or not.

Could you do a better job?

So easy to criticise.

40 minutes ago, spudski said:

Refreshingly honest from Deeney. 

Like a fool I paid £70 odd quid to watch FGR against Wimbledon recently in the Carol Embrey suite. 

Just for old times sake, as it's what I used to regularly do when it was free in the non league days. 

Didn't eat the food...it was dead in there. With players kids running around like lunatics annoying everyone. 

Sat and watched behind glass and lost the will to live....so so boring. Left early. 

Won't be doing that again any time soon.

Got to question what Dale Vance is thinking. The club is sinking at quite a rate.

He’s letting FGR turn into a shambles.

Really don’t understand why he gets criticised.

There isn’t a goalie without their flaws.

The best ones who make the least errors play for the best clubs in the world. 

Max is very good and comes across as very focused, competent and professional. 

Many goalies over the years have been much worse and Max is easily one of the best in the last decade or so. Niki Maenpaa Would be the other one up there and he had nearly 10 years on O’Leary in terms of experience.

I fully expect Max to maintain this level or higher for the bulk of his career.