Village
Football Teams Thriving
Little Weighton has
long been associated with football in the area and has
had a presence in the Hull and East Riding amateur football
leagues since 1972. Over this time, there have been village
teams in both Saturday and Sunday leagues, at times up
to four teams using the Playing Field’s pitch and facilities.
Little Weighton Playing Fields is widely known in the
area for having an excellent pitch and amenities, and
with the village having football teams of all ages, from
an Under 12’s team, right through to a Veterans team,
these facilities have been well used.
Four years ago Little Weighton’s
Sunday league team under went serious change, with the
loss of several key players in quick succession, including
the manager. The team was under strength, without the
much needed drive of a permanent manager and after a period
under the guidance of several senior players in division
one, the club decided to drop down three divisions in
order to build a new team. The extremely competitive environment
of the Sunday League’s division one, was not a place to
‘blood’ young players, tryout new ideas or regain the
team spirit that had been lost.
It was at this point that Sam Winter
became the manager of Little Weighton’s Sunday team and
started the task of rebuilding. This was undertaken with
the help and guidance of the stalwarts of village football,
Mick Taylor (Secretary) and of course the late Norman
Bradley (Chairman). With the help of several current village
dwellers and a host of players who were born and raised
in Little Weighton, the team is now on the up! After two
successive promotions the team are about to start this
season in Wyke division two of the Sunday League and in
a much healthier state. This has coincided with some much
needed maintenance work by the Playing Fields Committee
on the pavilion. After a new roof, electrical upgrade
and interior repairs, the changing rooms are now in an
excellent condition this season.
For the first time in five years
the club have now entered a second team into the Sunday
League, which will play in division six and will act as
a great way for younger players to experience open age
football. This team is being managed by Glyn Harrison
and Jonathan Benson – both born and raised in Little Weighton,
with the team hosting several village players amongst
its ranks. There is also a new team for the younger members
of the village in the form of a Sunday League Under 12’s
team. This team playing in the Wyke division, first used
the Little Weighton Playing Field’s facilities last season
and are now preparing for the new season again this year.
Being run by village based couples, Jon & Nicky Shaw
and Ian & Angie Jordan, the team is proving very popular
with the children of the village, with half the team made
up of Little Weighton players. The Under 12’s also utilise
the training facilities and floodlights at the Playing
Fields on a Friday evening between 6:00 - 7:00.
Overall, football in Little Weighton
is proving very popular and this is set to continue with
the three village teams utilising the Playing Fields pitch
and facilities. Within the club a strong emphasis is placed
on being ‘a village team’, with this apparent in the camaraderie
between players, support received from the village and
the devotion shown by many to ensure football in Little
Weighton thrives.
Matt Frow
If you have any information
regarding your group or club that you would like to be
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