Stephen Spencer provides an update on new facilities and the local football scene.

For the last two years, we have been invited to give "Bridge" Magazine readers an idea of what progress has been made. Only last week (End of April), the Trustees inspected the pitches and took advice from a Horticulturist. In general, the Trustees are more than happy that the grass has grown well. There are a few areas, possibly only two, where some remedial work is required before they can be 100% happy.

Our prediction last year was that the Football Teams of Godmanchester would be playing at Bearscroft Lane in September 2000. We feel that we can meet this deadline, but our Specialist Advisor has suggested that we try to wait until November. The Trustees can then begin to provide a long awaited facility for the Town, provided by the Private Sector. Our previous report indicated that the Car Park and Changing Rooms have been completed. The Trustees have plans to further enhance the facility through the application for Lottery Funding. Freehold of the Land will pass to the Trust, hopefully when the Huntingdonshire District Council is satisfied with the terms of the S106 agreement. This is expected to occur by the 26th May 2000. At which point, it will be full steam ahead to improve the facilities. Sadly, we have experienced one case of vandalism already. It defies logic why people should commit the act of Criminal Damage to a property that will provide a much-needed amenity.

Stephen Spencer
President –– Godmanchester Rovers Youth Football Club
Vice Chairman & Trustee –– Godmanchester Football & Sports Association

Keith Gabb
Chairman –– Godmanchester Rovers Football Club
Chairman & Trustee –– Godmanchester Football & Sports Association

Mike Westcott-Rudd
Trustee –– Godmanchester Football & Sports Association

GMC Football is now On-line!
The Godmanchester Rovers Youth Football Club are on-line where you can check the scores, match reports and join a discussion group for those with interest in the teams.

Football Season 1999 –– 2000 Review
Senior Team: Started very poorly, had a mid season collecting a few points and finished just above relegation in the Kershaw Premier A League.
Senior Reserves: Also managed to avoid relegation in the Kershaw Division 2A League.
Under 18''s Midweek Floodlight League: A Baptism of fire in the "first national Motor Finance league" containing Youth sides from the Doc Martins and Jewson Leagues. It was difficult to pull the team round, but eventually they finished 7th above Warboys and Blackstones, beating teams like Cambridge City and giving Wisbech and Stamford a run for their money.

All the following are positions as at April 26th, 2000.
Under 17''s: Played 14, Won 7, Drawn 4, Lost 3, GF 36, GA 31, Points 18.
Team Finished Third
Under 16''s: Team withdrawn following lack of support
Under 15''s: Played 17, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 5, GF 71, GA 33, Points 22.
Predicted Runners-Up or Third. League Cup Finalists.
Under 14''s: Played 21, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 21, GF 9, GA 202 ,Points 0.
Team to be relegated to a League it will feel more comfortable in. A Chance to rebuild and come back up.
Under 13a''s: Played 19, Won 9, Drawn 3, Lost 7, GF 54, GA 34, Points 21.
Could finish third or fourth.
Under 13b''s: Played 20, Won 6, Drawn 3, Lost 11, GF 43, GA 85, Points 18.
Under 12a''s: Played 17, Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 7, GF 56, GA 39, Points 19.
Could finish third or fourth
Under 12b''s: Played 17, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 10, GF 29, GA 34, Points 13.
Under 11a''s: Played 17, Won 6, Drawn 3, Lost 8, GF 45, GA 44, Points 15.
Under 11b''s: Played 18, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 16, GF 14, GA 135, Points 3.

Under 10a''s, Under 10b''s, Under 9a''s, Under 9b''s Under 8a''s and Under 8b''s all play Mini-Soccer and do not play competitive games therefore no result tables are available. We are proud to report that they are all flourishing and promise a great future for the Club. One player in the Under 10 section exceed the 100 goal mark in two seasons. We are encouraged by the development of further teams notably an Under 8c''s.

Girls Football
The future growth of an already thriving football club with boys football will be with the continued growth of it''s girls section. From just a few years ago, the club can now safely predict that there will be five teams next year. 1 x Under 11''s, 1 x Under 12''s,
2 x Under 13''s and 1 x Under 16''s. No table was available at the time of going to press. All the Girls teams fared well this season.
Stephen Spencer

© 2000 Godmanchester Community Association