Text Box: An late run of fine form, in the last 8 League games we lost 1 (narrowly), drew 1 and won 6, enabled the team to feel rightly proud of the season’s performance. An extremely creditable fourth in the League, which should have been higher, and two epic Cup displays, brought the best season’s record for this Alford team. 

As has been the case each year, we needed time at the start of the season to bed in quite a large amount of new players. The squad was quite definitely strengthened but it took time to mould the players into a unit and discover some players’ best positions. 

The key was training. Attendance was excellent throughout and almost all sessions were positive with individuals working hard and consistently to improve their game and that of the team.

The last half of the season is where this really began to tell. There is nothing more satisfying as a coach than to watch a team you have worked closely with really take the lessons of training onto a pitch and perform as a unit. The last 8 League games were the testimony to how hard the lads worked. The organisation of the team, the commitment to the cause and some of the fine passing football that we played was a pleasure to behold. Twice mangers came over to praise the performance of our side after a game.

We also finally made the point to our nearest rivals – Spilsby, Old Leake and most importantly Sutton, that Alford Town really is the better side –  this was particularly satisfying!

There were a number of memorable performances during the season:

The excellent 1-0 Cup win over A League Rustons with a truly squad effort.

The 2-0 Cup loss to St Helens, who at the time were 2nd in the A League and very much at County level. We defended superbly and gave them problems too –  hence their manager’s praise at the end of the game.

The 4-1 defeats of Spilsby and Old Leake in the last week.

The 2-1 defeat of Hykeham Tigers in atrocious conditions when our determination shone through.

The 6-1 demolition of Sutton in March. 

But perhaps the best of all, the 4-4  draw with Swifts — who were runaway winners of our League. We were leading with 2 minutes to go, so it was such a shame that this complete performance did not get the maximum points it deserved.

In many ways this was the season when this team came of age. It was a settled squad who played with commitment to each other and some fine football. If we had started the journey earlier than U13’s then there is no doubt we would have progressed to A League standard by the U16 season. As it is we have to be content with a shorter journey that proved successful and most importantly enjoyable for all involved.

Well played lads for a great last season.

We had a very pleasant presentation evening on Saturday 15th June with a very good turn out from the boys. Whilst it is important to stress the value of the team effort during the season and the fact that every lad’s contribution has been valued, nonetheless the individual awards went as follows:

Manager’s Player:  Richie Hayes

Players’ Player:  Conner Unsworth

Most Improved Player:  Casey Houghton     Top Goalscorer:  Callum Wadley


Congratulations to all concerned.




This season also marked the end of Manager Rob Wilson’s coaching / managerial career.  After 23 years and 416 games in charge in Youth football he has decided to “hang up his boots”. His overall record is as follows:

Pl

W

D

L

F

A

416

195

42

179

1206

1153