This season marks the end of the youth football journey for our current Shire U17 team, with next season bringing a transition to U18 football with our parent club, Cribbs FC, and a somewhat belated move to Sunday football.

We had an enjoyable campaign in the Severn Valley League, finishing in a respectable 4th place in an 11-team league, alongside a strong cup run to the semi-finals—just missing out on the chance to grace the hallowed artificial turf of Gloucester City's Tiger Turf Arena.

The season began on solid footing, with some strong wins and narrow defeats, but October and early November proved tough. We lost more games than we won and found ourselves in lower-mid table, exacerbated by the loss of our creative talisman, Gus, to a broken ankle after a bruising encounter with Hucclecote.

Our turning point came in a hard-fought victory over Brockworth, played in chaotic conditions on the slippery mud of Stoke Lodge in torrential rain. Slide tackles reached impressive distances that day! That win sparked a tremendous run of form—winning 9 and losing only 3 from mid-November onwards, an impressive turnaround.

Over the course of the league, we netted an incredible 80 goals in 18 matches, with Ben leading the charge, scoring 30 across his dynamic performances. Other standout moments included Gus's triumphant return from injury, scoring a Vardy-esque volley against our long-time rivals Bishop Road. That, combined with a heroic showing from George in goal, secured our first league victory against Bishop Road in the five years Tim and I have been coaching.

Beyond the results, the team has demonstrated outstanding spirit and solidarity. Their conduct on the pitch has been impeccable, their performances consistently strong, even against top-tier opposition. This dedication shines through in training, where hard work, focus, and fantastic attendance make for a truly committed squad. They’ll have no trouble stepping up to U18 football next season.

A big thank you must also go to the parents, whose support throughout the season—particularly with the longer distances of the Severn Valley League—has been invaluable.

Looking ahead, these lads now transition to Cribbs FC, with opportunities in the Sunday Bristol Combination League and midweek Western Counties Floodlight League. We carry a strong core into the next level, and the formation of a new Cribbs U18 squad looks promising as we merge with the current Shire U16, Shine U16, and potential new recruits.

For Tim and me, the past five seasons have been an incredibly rewarding coaching journey. The team’s attitude has made the experience enjoyable and effortless. So much so that youth football has left such a positive impression on me that I’ll be back next season—to do it all again with next year's U13 team!