It has been a fantastic start to the season for our Mid Ulster U13 side. Under the tutelage of Darren Kennedy and Matthew Clarke, the boys have gone unbeaten for the month of September and remain the only unbeaten Lurgan Town team. Their 4 wins out of 4 see them sitting top of the table alongside Banbridge Rangers. Not bad for a team who only started playing 11-a-side football a few months ago. They have done it in style too scoring 26 goals and conceding only 7. Top of the goal scoring charts is David McNally with 7 goals (just 4 goals behind overall leading goal scorer Philip Bingham from the U19 side) and a further 7 players have chipped in too (see table below). Coach Darren Kennedy is delighted with the way the season has started Its all down to the boys. They finally believe they are actually good players and we are a good team. They ve started to work hard and play as a team. With a few new additions we are playing now with confidence. It is fantastic to see. Mid Ulster Under 13 Scorers in September David McNally - 7 Callum Gordon - 4 Lewis Kennedy - 4 Caleb Russell - 3 Ben Elliott - 3 Dylan McKerr - 2 Ross McIlwaine - 1 Sean McNally - 1 Own Goal - 1 An impressive 26 goals in 4 games from 8 players. A fantastic record at any level. Mid Ulster Under 13 Results in September U13 MU 8-3 Dromore Amateurs (Callum Gordon x4, David McNally x2, Caleb Russell, Dylan McKerr) U13 MU 3-0 Lisdrum Youth (Lewis Kennedy, Dylan McKerr, David McNally) U13 MU 6-1 Cookstown Youth (David McNally x3, Caleb Russell x2, Lewis Kennedy) U13 MU 9-3 Armagh City Eagles (Ben Elliott x3, Lewis Kennedy x2, Ross McIlwaine, David McNally, Sean McNally, OG) Lurgan Town Arena, 83 Glenavon Lane, Lurgan, Co Armagh, BT66 8TN INSIDE THIS ISSUE News In Brief The Next Challenge Success For Trudi Has Rivaldo Scored? Senior Sponsorship Parents Corner The Month In Numbers Clubhouse in Full Flow Girls GDC
NEWS IN BRIEF PHYSIO BACK IN ACTION Suzanne, our resident physiotherapist, is now back in action at the Arena on Monday nights from 7pm to 9pm. She will see all of the sick notes on a first come, first served basis. Players that are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. AARON HANCOCK PENALTY SAVER EXTRAORDINARIE U15 Lisburn League goalkeeper Aaron Hancock (right) today (19th September) saved his 15th out of 18 penalties he has faced in his 5th season of football in full size nets. What an amazing 83% success rate for our 14 year old starlet. Got a news snippet for us? Email it to info@lurgantownfc.com. If you have a photo that would be even better. LOST PROPERTY Any lost property that is left behind at the Arena will be kept at until the end of the month. If it is not claimed by then it will be donated to charity. There will be a lost property box in the clubhouse for people to claim their items. UNDER 15 BALL SPONSORSHIP Lurgan Town U15s (above) after receiving their 30 training balls and gloves for keepers through sponsorship. JESSE FOR MAN UTD Jesse Turner took the first steps to achieving every young boy s dream following the Mallusk Fun Day and then the Playing For The Future Tournament. Jesse s dad Stevie was approached by a Manchester United scout and they want Jesse to attend their centre of excellence. Jesse, who is a United fan, is also performing well at the Club NI development squad and is waiting to hear if he has made the next stage. JESSIE INTO NI SQUAD On Thursday 3rd September we got news that young girls academy star Jessie Wheelan has been selected to attend trials with Northern Ireland U15 ladies development squad. Jessie, who's twin brother Alex also plays for the club, is a very committed player with a fantastic attitude.
As the new season begins, I have made the transition from competitive football to the Games Development Centre where the focus on the game is all about Development and Enjoyment. This is my 23rd season at Lurgan Town and I will be in charge of the Under 8 academy side, moving away from 11 a side football for the first time at the club. At the Academy and GDC the focus is about fun and every player will get the chance to play on a regular basis over the season. The boys will be playing small sided games each week allowing more touches of the ball and more time on the ball and the chance to gather their confidence week by week as the season progresses. Youth football is the backbone of the local game in this country and the young players are the future, so it is vitally important that quality time and effort is invested in our young players from an early age. I look forward to the chance of hopefully being a part of many young players development and if they get the chance to play at the highest level either International or Irish league or a dream move to a professional club, having the knowledge and satisfaction that I was able to contribute to the success of that player. I believe that here at Lurgan Town with the recent success of our academy sides over the last couple of years we have the foundations in place and the coaches in place to be one of the leading clubs for producing great young talent. As a coach I can t speak highly enough of the club and can definitely say that this is the place to be. The structure is superb with great people working tirelessly to keep us as one of the best clubs in the country for youth football. I have enjoyed my time in 11-a-side football but see this as a new and fresh challenge, in which I hope the players and I will enjoy. In my first 2 weeks in charge of the Under 8 side I have already got a hunger for what is to come and I have seen some great football played the Mallusk Fun Day and in my 2 sessions at the academy so far. The attitude and approach of the kids is second to none and I can already see how much enjoyment they are getting from the game. It is vitally important that as a coach you don t loose your own hunger and desire for what you are doing as this will no doubt have an impact on the players you coach every week. I believe the time had come to try something new and fresh and when this chance came up I snapped up the opportunity. Lurgan Town, as a club, has moved in the right direction in such a short space of time and strives to be the best, with every coach producing good quality sessions for the kids week in week out. I would just like to wish all players good luck for the forthcoming season. Enjoy your football every week and hopefully we will have another great season on the field for all teams. Yours in football Maxie THE NEXT CHALLEGE: GARETH MAXWELL
CLUBHOUSE IN FULL FLOW Its fair to say that our new clubhouse is now fully up and running. It has already hosted major events including the senior awards dinner, the junior and academy awards days, the Lurgan Town Cup and the Mid Ulster GDC fun day. Every night the Arena pitches are packed with our own Lurgan Town teams, Club NI and other local teams for their training sessions. Add this to the Mid Ulster GDC and other league games played on a Saturday and it s fair to say there is a hive of activity surrounding the place. Plenty of room for those big Champions league games Steps have now been taken to ensure that you get to enjoy the Arena and clubhouse even further. For a trial period, the clubhouse will be open every Monday to Thursday (6:30pm to 10pm), Friday (7pm to 9pm) and Saturday (9am to 7:30pm). There will be live football on the big screen, pool, darts and other refreshments available. On Saturday s there will be bacon rolls and soup as well as the obligatory juice, crisps and chocolate bars. It is a fantastic opportunity to come in out of the cold on those dark winter nights and enjoy the banter with the Lurgan Town staff. (Just watch out for the 2 eejits pictured below). We want you to enjoy the clubhouse as much as you can, so if there is anything we can improve on please let us know. Badgers Soup or Brian s Bacon Rolls???? Brand new pool table and dart board available
TRIPLE SUCCESS FOR GIRLS HEAD COACH TRUDI HARBINSON The girls academy have had reason to celebrate recently. Head coach Trudi Harbinson kicked things off on Monday 31st August by winning the Women's Irish Cup with her Cliftonville Ladies team - the first time the ladies have ever won the tournament. A week later and Cliftonville Ladies added the Premier Cup to their cabinet by beating Sion Swifts. To cap a wonderful season off Trudi was then part of the Northern Ireland Womens side who drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland. This was a warm up game before they travel to Georgia in October for a Euro Qualifier. Above: Irish Cup Winner. Top Right: Premier Cup Winner. Bottom: Northern Ireland International Trudi played alongside the boys at Lurgan Town right up to U15 level when she was younger. She then signed for Arsenal Ladies and moved to Chelsea and Portsmouth among others. She is now an integral part of the development of the girls football at Lurgan Town FC. She is a fantastic inspiration for all of the girls at our club. There is nothing bigger than to play for your country Trudi Harbinson
PARENTS CORNER THE SMYTHS In this new feature, we put the parents of the players on the spot. First up are Alan and Lorraine Smyth. Brett plays for our Mid Ulster U16 side and Morgan plays for Portadown Youth U15s (but we will forgive him for that). WIE: Describe a normal Saturday morning routine in your house. The Smyths: Mum brings Brett for Lurgan Town. Dad brings Morgan for Portadown Youth. Mostly matches are in and around the same time so we all get up, get organised and out at the same time. On the weeks when one match is an early kick off if Morgan is out first then mum gets up and sorts breakfast, if Brett is out first we (mum and Brett) are left to our own devices! WIE: The boys train and play at different places. How do you mange to cope with the demands of having two young teenagers? TS: We both try to get to see both boys playing whenever possible but the times and locations don't always lend themselves. For training nights tea has to be organised in advance to accommodate the early start times. Brett has to be in Lurgan for 6.30pm. We are lucky in that we can share lifts with others boys travelling from Portadown. Most weeks Brett gets a lift to and from with Ryan's Grandad, John. Morgan trains 2 nights a week at Brownstown. Monday and Wednesday. Dad brings him every week and stays to help out with the goalkeeper coaching. For match days the kits are organised on Friday nights when they get home from Boys Brigade. Friday night is also the night when Google maps are scrutinised to get Mum to her destination when not playing at home. Dad, well no worries there (WIE: Or so he thinks!!!). The rest of the week is spent doing the schools sports run. WIE: What is the reaction like (win, lose or draw) in your house after a game? TS: Well the fun (or not) starts on the journey home in car. If the boys win then its all talk and fun. If they lose its all picture and no sound. That works for both cars. If the results differ (if one wins and the other doesn't) there is good support from one boy to the other. WIE: Is there much of a rivalry between the boys? TS: None whatsoever although, as both boys play defence, Morgan scored a goal one week and not to be out done Brett scored the very next week. Morgan thought it was a set up!! Cost us both a fortune on promised money to boys who play defence and are not expected to score!! WIE: How do you think your boy s team (LTFC) could improve on the pitch? TS: As a mum I am extremely proud of how the team has progressed. All the boys work well together and Brett really enjoys being part of the team and part of the Lurgan Town environment. Phil does a brilliant job and has done well to bring them to the stage they are at. I do think the managing should be left to the manager. WIE: Have you got a most memorable moment at Lurgan Town? TS: Thankfully we have several but in particular when we won our cup finals last season and when we beat Cookstown for the first time. WIE: What are your hopes for the season? TS: As we have been successful in our cup matches it would be great to continue and reach more finals and have the excitement of watching the finals. Also we would like to win the league! However, most importantly, its great to see all boys being part of a team, working together and enjoying their football. WIE: And of course, the most important question of all. Which is better: Badger s Soup or Brian s Burgers? TS: We have debated and the result is 'even stevens'. Brett and mum would stick with Badger's soup and Morgan and dad enjoy Brian's burgers (mind you, they haven't tasted the soup!!)
ALL OF THE STATS FOR THE MONTH SEPTEMBER RESULTS 26th September 2015 1st Team 1-1 Broomhedge (David Hamilton) 2nd Team 11-0 Haldane Fisher (Matt Irvine x4, Nathan Crozier x3, Cameron Burke, Andrew Houston, Jamie Devlin, Stuart Jordan) U19 MU 2-6 Dromore Amateurs (Jordan Wilson, OG) U16 NL 1-3 St Oliver Plunkett (Ryan Finlay) U16 MU 3-5 Draperstown Celtic (Nathan Stewart x3) U15 LL 2-5 Lurgan Celtic (Jack Hogg, Fionan Dunbar) U15 MU 5-4 Coalisland Young Stars (Joshua Pugh x2, Niall McBride, Cai McDowell, Jay McPolin) U14 MU 1-5 Loughgall Youth (Kyle Truesdale) U13 MU 8-3 Dromore Amateurs (Callum Gordon x4, David McNally x2, Caleb Russell, Dylan McKerr) 25th September 2015 U13 NL 0-2 Portadown Youth 19th September 2015 1st Team 1-5 Moneyslane (Jack McNally) 2nd Team 3-3 Richhill Res (Kyle Cousins, Nathan Crozier, Scott McBride) U19 MU 4-2 Craigavon City (Ryan Cousins x2, Philip Bingham, Sidney Tavares) U16 NL 2-2 Carniny Youth (Mark Lucas, Ryan Finlay) U16 MU 1-2 Strathroy Harps (Brett Smyth) U15 LL 0-1 Ballyclare Colts U15 MU 4-3 Newry City AFC (Niall McBride x2, Martin Loughran, Adam Woolsey) U14 MU 0-9 Lisdrum Youth U13 NL 0-8 Glentoran Academy U13 MU 3-0 Lisdrum Youth (Lewis Kennedy, Dylan McKerr, David McNally) 12th September 2015 1st Team 1-4 Tullyvallen (John Guy) 2nd Team 3-5 Dundela Youth (Nathan Crozier x2, Andrew Houston) U19 MU 1-2 Dromore Amateurs (Philip Bingham) U16 NL P-P Cliftonville U16 MU 1-3 Craigavon City (Nathan Stewart) U15 LL 0-5 Shankill Juniors U15 MU 3-3 Ardstraw (Niall McBride, Andrew Ferguson, Martin Loughran) U14 MU 3-3 Oxford Sunnyside (Andrew McCallion, Alex Wheelan, Jack Magennis) U13 NL 3-5 Ridgeway Rovers (Michael McConville x2, Rhys Emerson) U13 MU 6-1 Cookstown Youth (David McNally x3, Caleb Russell x2, Lewis Kennedy) 9th September 2015 U13 NL 1-5 Linfield Youth (Oisin Genisi) 5th September 2015 1st Team 3-0 Scarva Rangers (Jonny Hoey, Kyle Cousins, Jamie Weir) 2nd Team P-P Laurelvale Res U16 NL 3-2 Ballinamallard Youth (Mark Lucas x2, Darragh Gray) U16 MU 4-1 Valley Gers (Lewis McKinley, Aaron Winters, Nathan Stewart, Tim Millen) U15 LL 1-5 Windmill Stars (Daniel Johansen) U15 MU 0-5 Armagh City U13 MU 9-3 Armagh City Eagles (Ben Elliott x3, Lewis Kennedy x2, Ross McIlwaine, David McNally, Sean McNally, OG) Remember you can keep fully up to date with all the fixtures on our club website www.lurgantownfc.com THE MONTH IN NUMBERS - SEPTEMBER Games Played = 37 Games Won = 11 Goals Scored = 93 Goals Conceded = 121 Top Scoring Player = David McNally 7 goals for MU13s Top Scoring Team = MU13 (26 goals) THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT Leading Town goalscorers for the 2015/16 season. Totals for games played up to and including: Saturday 26th September 2015 1. Philip Bingham - 11 goals - Under 19 2. David McNally - 7 goals - Under 13 MU 3. Nathan Crozier - 6 goals - Senior 2nd Team 4. Nathan Stewart - 5 goals - Under 16 MU 5= Matt Irvine - 4 goals - Senior 1st Team 5= Matt Irvine - 4 goals - Senior 2nd Team 5= Niall McBride - 4 goals - Under 15 MU 5= Lewis Kennedy - 4 goals - Under 13 MU 5= Callum Gordon - 4 goals - Under 13 MU SENIOR MATCH SPONSORS A big thank you to the sponsors of the senior matches in September: Saturday 26th August 1st Team v Broomhedge Weavers Lodge (028 40627395) 2nd Team v Haldane Fisher Longstone Property Services (02892 612802) Saturday 19th August 1st Team v Moneyslane Ian Gilkinson Painter & Decorator (07720307532) 2nd Team v Richhill Res Ian McCandless - The Maintenance Man Saturday 12th August 1st Team v Tullyvallen Keith Lutton Accountant (02838 870738) 2nd Team v Laurelvale Res Bounce A Roos Castle Hire (07725127288) Saturday 5th August 1st Team v Scarva Rangers McAteer Car Body Repair (07709179982)
HAS RIVALDO SCORED YET? Since rejoining the club this summer, U15 Mid Ulster left footed maestro Rivaldo Teggart (yes that's his real name) has constantly reminded all his team mates of his goal scoring skills and how he is going to rip the net apart. In a great run of results and having scored 12 goals in their last 3 games, the first question on everyone's lips each week is "has Rivaldo scored yet?". In this months newsletter we can report that the answer is no. We hope next month to report that he has. CAPTAINS CORNER In the first of this season s captains corner we spoke with Sean McNally from the U13 Mid Ulster squad. The Lurgan man has been with the club for 5 years already and regards himself as the quickest player in the team. WIE: Who is the best trainer? SM: Josh Milne. WIE: Who is the worst trainer? SM: No one. We all give 100% WIE: Who is the quickest player in the team? SM: Myself lol WIE: Who is the quickest player in the team? SM: Corey Campbell WIE: Who is the most skilful player? SM: Celeb Russell WIE: Who is the best passer of the ball. SM: Dylan McKerr WIE: Who is best in the air. SM: Declan McDade WIE: Who thinks he's better than he actually is? SM: Carson Colwell (he thinks he's Danny rose!) WIE: Who takes the longest to get ready before a match? SM: Carson Colwell again. WIE: What is the managers favourite saying? SM: Keep it on the deck WIE: What is your favourite game this season so far? SM: Beating Lurgan Celtic 3-0 WIE: What are your dreams for the season? SM: To win the league or cup. (WIE: And after the start to the season the boys have had who would bet against them?) GIRL S GAMES DEVELOPMENT CENTRE The girls games development centre kicked off at Drumgor on Friday 18th September and the girls got down to playing games the following week. Our U11 and U13 girls put on a fantastic display of teamwork on the night.