17-07-2008

New 2008-09 Season Newsletter from Andy Craig is published below.

As the new season is drawing closer I thought it was time to let you know about various dates.

Subscriptions for the season have been set at £200. This is £100 due by 7th September 2008 and £100 due on 10th January 2009. We realise that this is a significant increase on last year. We have worked this figure out as a worse case scenario, without any sponsors/fund raising etc. If we do get the sponsors we hope and make money from the fund raising events planned we will drop the subs accordingly for the second half of the season. We still feel this is good value for money compared with prices paid at other local clubs. If anyone has a problem with regards to subs please don’t hesitate to contact Tony or I. Cheques payable to Balgowan Football Club.

Fund Raising On Sunday 7th September 2008 at 2pm your teams all have the option to organise a friendly fixture against some local teams. Following those games at about 4.30pm we have hired all of Kent County Cricket for the afternoon. Balgowan Football is 10 years old this season and to celebrate we are arranging a family fun afternoon at Kent County Cricket Ground. There will be a barbeque, some music and some fun games to play. Those who remember when we first started will be reminded of similar afternoons that proved great fun for everyone. Cost will be £5 per adult and £3 per child or £15 for a family. Please see you team manager to buy your tickets.

Sponsors The club is looking for sponsors this season to help with the purchase of kits/training equipment etc. If anyone has contacts in the local community please speak to him or her to see if they would like to become involved with the club.

Signing on Sunday This is a very important date and is Sunday 20th July 2008. Tony will be at Kent County Cricket from 9am until 12noon in order to sign the kids for next season. If you can pop along for 10 minutes with two-passport photo’s (not last years) (and copy of a birth certificate if you are a new player) and sign the registration forms it would make Tony’s life a lot easier. We need to register the teams and players two weeks before the start of the season, which is Sunday 21st September 2008. If you do not attend it causes a great deal of admin work for Tony so please help him by turning up.

Training This starts On Thursday/Friday 18th/19th September 2008. On Thursday it is 6.30pm-8pm for the U17 and U14a. On Friday it is 6pm-7.30pm for the U9, U10, U11 and U12 teams and 7.30pm – 9pm for the U13, U14b and U15 sides. Parents will no longer be allowed onto the astro turf to watch. Adults are asked to stay in the bar. The main reason for this is the children get distracted from their training by their parents. We have also employed a new coach Steve McCraye who holds an FA "A" Licence and has coached at several league clubs. He along with Nick and I will have a much bigger role with the training sessions this year. Mark and Sam Wheeler will also be covering goalkeeper coaching this season. It will be on Friday’s and Mark will confirm the times at the start of the season.

Finally don’t forget all the information about the club can be found on the club website Balgowanfc.com

Andy Craig

07973 940493 or 0208 402 091

Previous News

Balgowan FC (FA Approved Centre) Level 1 FA Coaching Course 2008: This was a 30-hour course which started on Saturday 7th June, spread over 5 days, with a Level 1 Coaching Certificate, Emergency Aid Certificate & Child Protection Certificate on completion.

End of 2007/08 Season Newsletter newsletter included information about the U16's Tandridge League Trophy Cup Final, The Race Night, Bingo Night, and the Player of the Season Awards combined with World Cup BBQ.

U16's Cup Final: The delayed U16’S final against Tatsfield Colts was held at Whyteleafe Football Club on Thursday 8th May 2008. The U16 team won the final 4-3 after extra time. More Pictures from the Reid and Blattler families...

December 07 Newsletter included information about Training, Subscriptions, Sponsorship, and Fund Raising. To read the full Newsletter click on the link above

Under 14's September 2007 Newsletter: Welcome to all the boys and parents to our second year as a team. This note is to let you know some details regarding admin and to set expectations and provide guidelines so that everyone can enjoy the football for the coming season. More...

Balgowan FC held its annual Football Tournament on Sunday 8th September 2007. A Web page has been added which includes photos taken on the day. Also pictures of all the football teams which were taken during the day (apart from the Under 9's who were not playing in the tournament), can now be found on the Teams webpage.

August 07 Newsletter: The August 2007 Newsletter covered the new web site, cost of subs for the 2007/8 season, the football tournament to be held on 8th September, and training times.

Charter Standard Club: The Club Secretary advises that: Balgowan FC during August 2007 was re-approved as Charter Standard Club by the Football Association; Tandridge Divisions confirmed for 2007/8 - see Tandridge website for details; Balgowan FC Under 13 A's draw Maidstone United at home in first Round of Kent County Cup.

July 07 Newsletter: The July 2007 Newsletter covered pre season training, the Balgowan Football Tournament on 9th September, Advertisers Required to Sponsor the Tournament and registration of players including the requirement for two passport photos.

2006-7 Fantasy Football League: The winner of the 2006-7 Fantasy Football League run by Tony Pedrotti was his son Tom Pedrotti with 1,518 points, closely followed by Mark Wheeler with 1,501 points. If you would like to play next year get in touch with Tony Pedrotti on 020 8402 7030. To see the final scores of the Balgowan FC 2006-07 Fantasy Football competition please see the link below:

2006-07 Fantasy Football Competition: See link for final standings.

The August 2006 Football Tournament raised almost £3,000 towards team funds. Many thanks to the parents who helped run the tournament.

To see the number of games played by club members please see the following link:  BFC Appearances and History

To see the goal scorers please see the following link: BFC Goalscorers and History