Chairman's Monthly Message: October 2014
Wednesday 29 October 2014By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:32
Mike Spinks, ESFA Chairman
The season is now well under way and first round matches in ESFA competitions will have been completed. It is vitally important that all schools keep to the deadlines set by the National Competitions Department.
At the time of writing the ESFA is embarking on trials around the country for places in our two International squads for Season 2014-2015. Most of you will know that the ESFA has a Boys Under 18 side and a Girls Under 15 team. Players nominated for the regional trials will be members of their respective county squads. Matches for both teams will be played against the other home nations later in the season.
The Boys Under 18 side begin their competitive season with a home match on Friday 27th February at Truro City Football Club. This is believed to be the first-ever International in Cornwall. The following Friday, 6th March, sees another home game, this time against Northern Ireland at AFC Bournemouth. Please get together a group from your school to go to one of these matches if you live within reasonable distance of one of the grounds.
The Girls Under 15 squad are set to start their season in February 2015 when during half-term they go for a week’s warm weather training in Portugal, courtesy of Travel Company Inspiresport. An International against Portugal is scheduled to be played in Lisbon.
A very large number of entries were received this season for the various schools competitions sponsored by PlayStation. There have been three “Ties of the Round” matches so far, each attended by a famous Premier League footballer. Aaron Ramsey was at a school game in St Albans and James Milner and Luke Shaw made appearances at two different Manchester schools. I was lucky enough to be able to meet James Milner when he was the guest at a PlayStation match at East Manchester Academy. I had been with James in France 12 years ago when he played in an International Tournament with England Under 16s. Also in that particular England Under 16 squad that week were Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone.
At your school you may well have an exceptional footballer who could become a future international star. As Chairman of the ESFA I would like to thank you for all you are doing to promote schools football and in so doing giving pupils fantastic opportunities to enjoy sporting experiences which many will remember and thank you for in the years ahead.
