1996/1997 Season - - AFC DRONFIELD

AFC DRONFIELD UNDER 9's Season 1996/1997

Following Howard Wilkinsons blue print for Football development in Season 1996-1997 AFC Dronfield joined the First ever Small Sided Football League in South Yorkshire Called
The Shaun Morris Fair Play League @ Under 9’s . AFC Dronfield having Never played football previously at anything other than 11 a side and older and not really having had a nursery to develop younger players the initial squad had 20 players
The composition of this team being made up of 10 true under 9’s, 8 under 8’sand 2 under 7’s both players being still only 6 years of age until October.

They played there first ever official fixture on Sunday 22^nd September 1996. Away. The opponents where the famous old Sheffield Club “Throstles” notorious for producing local Sheffield lads of whom some went on to play for SWFC & SUFC

The Squad jointly managed by Graham Bearder, Stuart Coales and Steve Green and sponsored by Nationwide Building Society took to the field.

SQUAD:

Lewis Green, Liam Smith, Chris Kelly Ben Coales, Robert Crossland , Alex Brewin, Liam Healey,Roger Wood, Ben Leversidge, Joe Gill, Adam Bearder, Ben Ridley, Mark Younger,Michael Bearder, Dean Parkinson, Stuart Hill, Jack Poole, Simon Mintoft, Ben Shepherd, James Hoodless

I don’t think any one of the many parents or grandparents who attended (and there was a lot) to see the little ones play there first ever real organised match, expect what happened next as the Shaun squad went out and astonished everyone with the way they played and not only that they Won 3-2 with 2 goals from Robert Crossland and 1 from Adam Bearder.
The Morris squad went on next comprising of mainly younger players and although there effort was unquestionable, at this age, size was and still is quite significant, where out played but certainly not disgraced
Lost 5-1 the goal being scored by Ben Ridley.

They overall combined result that the boys Lost Throstles 7-3 AFC Dronfield but what an experience.

One achievement that came out of this first fixture is that 5 players Ben Leversidge, Adam Bearder, Stuart Hill James Hoodless and Alex Brewin all went on to play for AFC Dronfield / Sheffield FC every season from the age of Under 9 to Under 18 well done boys we are very proud of your loyalty.

Both Liam Smith and Michael Bearder later went on to be selected for Chesterfield Centre of Excellence Liam U12 to U16, Michael U14-U16 and currently retained on an Apprenticeship.

Guys it was fantastic to be involved with you all and to see you develop from children in to young men.

AFC DRONFIELD UNDER 12's SEASON 1996/1997

Team: David Elkington, Andrew Gange, Craig Forster, Lee Daley, Ben Jackson, Chris Lowe, Dave Smith, Ashley Hammond, Adam Fordham, Matt Walker, Matt Furniss, Matt Furnnes, James Teather, Alex Aspinall.

The team over the years.. maintained a high position, Won promotion to "A" Division. Also maintaining them selves in the "A" division for a couple of seasons.