TEAM HISTORY
06 Jul 2009

The team was started in March 2008 made up of players from the Hessle Sporting Development Centre (academy). The boys are managed by Darren Watts (level 1 coach/ CRB checked) and coached by Lewis Richardson (level 1 coach/ CRB checked), Louis Haggit and the newest member of the team Dean Raper (level 1 coach/CRB checked).

Our first summer of tournaments was a great success with wins at our own Hessle 6's,Withernsea 6's and Costello 7's outlining us as one of the sides to beat in the forthcoming season.

A change of policy from the FA regarding age groups mean't two new lads joined the squad in the August of 2008, giving us the maximum 14 players allowed. When a further FA decision mean't that the under 8's would not play games on a league basis we decided that all the lads would be given an equal amount of playing time where possible regardless of the effect on results. This meant that on occasion some very talented footballers would spend much of the time on the touchline watching and its of great credit to the boys that this, on the whole was accepted.

Having gone through both phases of our first year only losing a handful of games and more importantly playing some great football the players have almost all developed skills and attributes that should stand them in good stead in the future.
Summer 2009 has also brought more cause for celebration with wins again at Withernsea and Hall Road Rangers 6's (semi final finishes at Hessle Sporting, Cottingham and East Riding) so far.
Inevitably our results and performances have brought attention from professional clubs and after attending Hull Citys development centre, 3 of the boys have been selected for the Centre of Excellence and sadly will not be able to play for us next season. On the positive side this will result in more playing time for those remaining with the team and further justifys the policy of "Football for all" last season as all the lads will be better equipped for the future.

With our efforts on the pitch being complemented by generous sponsors, keen to assist parents and a more than efficient team seretary (Ali Watts), the future for the Spitfires can only be a bright one.

Darren Watts