SHINFIELD RANGERS FC – 40 YEARS OF FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY
On Sunday June 9th we held our annual presentation day combined with the first stage of our 40th Anniversary celebrations.
I am delighted to report that we had over 540 people attend through the day and all enjoyed the (fairly) good weather. I was pleased to welcome two teams from our friends at Spencers Wood FC and I really hope they had some fun playing the various combinations of Shinfield Rangers teams that wanted to play against them. It’s fair to say that we consider those at Spencers Wood FC to be our close friends and this was another great example of how easy it is to work together for the benefit of all in the Parish.
I would like to thank all the children and their parents for making this a successful day and sincerely hope that everyone had a great time. As usual, every child that played for the Club last season was awarded a trophy, this year in front of the whole Club, with all children from all age groups showing their appreciation for the efforts that their club-mates have made in the past year.
Thank you also to Reading FC for allowing Queensley to come along and take part in our celebrations – the younger children particularly enjoyed her company. A big but somewhat jealous thanks to Matt Minnis – an absolutely amazing freestyle football skills expert and his colleagues from Reading FC too. Thank you also to those representatives from the three London-based Premiership Clubs that kindly came long to show their appreciation for the work we do in the community – you know who you are and your kindness, support and advice to me personally is invaluable.
Everyone in the club should be aware that the Club AGM was held in May and following this, I am pleased to welcome Andy Greenhalf and Kerry Davey to the Club management committee. Both have already contributed hugely to the development of the Club and their enthusiasm, kindness and hard work has already in resulted in some significant improvements to some key aspects of the day-to-day management. All other officers of the Club were voted in to continue their roles for another year.
I would like to congratulate Reese Graham on passing the FA Referee’s course. With the kind assistance of Shinfield Parish Council, we invited children aged 14+ from the Club who were interested in getting a referee’s qualification to go on the first course last month and Reese is our first successful graduate. We have another 3 children to get on the next course later this year and we already have 2 girls who have applied for the course in the New Year. This really is a great example of the Club and community supporting and assisting local children in fulfilling their ambitions. To have a referee’s qualification at the age of 14 really does say a lot about the child concerned and I am proud that we have these fantastic children involved with Shinfield Rangers FC.
And although I am not in a position to mention his name, congratulations also to one of our players in an older age group who is currently being assessed by Chelsea FC.
Finally, to those reading this who would like their children to come and play football with us – the registration process for next season (September 1st) is now open. I would like to invite all children, boys and girls, regardless of experience or ability, aged between 6 years old and 15 years old to come and join us for what will undoubtedly be the best season this Club has ever seen.
James A. Roth
Chairman – Shinfield Rangers FC