juniors 2016/17 Kingpower Stadium visit
Stocksbridge Park Steels under 15s had a trip of a lifetime this season. The youngsters were invited by UEFA and sponsors Nissan to wave the champions League flag prior to Leicester City’s home game against portuguese giants Porto. The youngsters were transported down to the King Power Stadium, the home
of former Stocksbridge PS sensation Jamie Vardy, and walked out, onto the centre of the pitch in front of 30,000 + crowd, and millions watching on live TV. One junior player told cameras “ It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity” another said “Going to watch the champions of England, with all your mates, going on the pitch, all of it was just unreal…”
Under 15s manager Justin Longden said “they’ve seen an icon in Jamie Vardy, who everybody knows played for Stocksbridge, larger than life, on a football pitch, in front of millions of people, and they know they can achieve that now” Jamie Vardy spent seven seasons at Look Local stadium breaking through to the first team from the under 18s and reserve side.
Former Steels an
Jamie Vardy - Leicester City & England Vardy joined Steels as a 16 year old and spent 7 years at the club after being released by Sheffield Wednesday for not being big enough. The wiry lightning fast striker has gone on to prove all his doubters wrong by not only reaching the top level, but also winning a premier league title. He Reached the Quarter finals of the Champions League and cemented his place in the full England Squad in the 2016/2017 season. Jamie has represented his country
on 16 occasions finding the net 6 times. His tally of 24 goals in the 2015/2016 included a record-breaking 11 consecutive games of scoring in the premier league. Scott Hogan - Aston Villa Hogan, a replacement for the departing Jamie Vardy back in 2008, went onto successful league spells with Rochdale and Brentford before Aston Villa paid a whopping ÂŁ15 million for his services in 2016/2017 season. Hogan, whilst at Steels struck up a good partnership with;
Jack Muldoon - Lincoln City Jack another striker who had a succesful time at Look Local stadium, rose to national fame this season when his non-league team Lincoln City became the first non-league team to reach the quarter finals of the FA cup. Muldoon was a pivotal figure in the teams success and Lincoln eventually lost to the mighty Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Lincoln’s season was capped by winning the National league and promotion to the football league.
2016/2017 www
nd junior players
George Maris Cambridge United
Brodie Lichfield Stocksbridge PS
Ben Rhodes Stocksbridge PS
George joined Steels as an 8 year old and straight away started to banging in the goals. He played right through to the under 16s and always showed an eagerness to win the ball. George joined Barnsley FC making 3 senior appearances, the 21 year old now plies his trade with League 2 Cambridge Utd. Check out his 30 yard wonder goal against Doncaster Rovers this season on youtube.
Brodie a born and bred Stocksbridger played for the juniors before attracting the attention of Sheffield Wednesday. He failed to make the grade and returned to Stocksbridge under 18s before being picked up by Sheffield United. The promising young striker failed to sign a professional contract and within 6 months found himself back at his hometown club. The pacy striker has provided goals and energy to this seasons late promotion push.
Ben a former junior and team-mate of George Maris now plays for the first team, after spending his entire junior days with Stocksbridge juniors. His speed and shooting have provided the first team with spectacular goals in the past two seasons.
w.stocksbridgeps.com
Chairmans Message
New pitches The juniors have secured new playing pitches on Forge Lane, Oughtibridge. The facilities include one full size pitch and 2 x mini pitches. The site also boasts a dilapidated club house which one day can hopefully be spruced up to provide the juniors with a great base for both training and playing.
Junior sponsored walk / campfest Sponsored Walk 2017 - Saturday 1st July Start: Lowoods Club, Deepcar finish: Forge Lane, Oughtibridge The day should be an enjoyable one, where players, parents, family & friends come together to support and raise funds for the junior section of the club. Canoeing and camping available at £5 per canoe ride and £5 per tent pitch. Sporting activities and a hog roast await at Forge Lane. Any players raising over £100 to receive a football shirt of their choice (upto value of £35).
Hello to all SPS Juniors players, parents, family and friends and hope you all had an enjoyable & successful season. I can’t thank you all enough for the amount of time, effort, dedication & commitment you give in providing opportunities for boys & girls to play football in a fun, safe and friendly environment. Its great news both on and off the pitch as, we are improving training facilities by utilising the St George’s 4G site at Thorncliffe for winter training from September 2017; and we now have new pitches at Forge Lane, Oughtibridge. Thus, providing opportunities for the junior section to explore medium and long term ambitious plans to improve the playing facilities, and to create a central hub. The investment at Thorncliffe & Oughtibridge no doubt comes with added cost and commitment: the buying of line marking & grass cutting equipment; paying for the maintenance of pitches; purchase of new goals; plus the development of access, parking, changing room and clubhouse facilities. Although we have a very strong junior committee in place with key personnel able to explore funding, grants and sponsorship opportunities, it was unanimously agreed at a meeting on Monday 27th March 2017 to increase subscriptions to £150 per player (no subsidy for siblings) for the 2017/18 season, helping the junior section to be sustainable while also contributing to the ongoing development plan. If you can help your club by expressing an interest in a volunteer role or you require more information to introduce sponsorship opportunities within your network then please contact me for further details. Thank you for your support. Ian Cavanagh - Junior Chairman
Fairplay award Steels under 13 yellow team have yet again been awarded the fairplay award for their age group. The award is awarded by fellow teams who mark each team out of 100 for their fair play each week.