Greetland Goldstars JFC

With the season ending against Warley Greens, the Stars wound down the 2008-2009 campaign with a friendly matched against Worcestershire based side Warndon Sharks on 1st May before their end of season party at sponsors, The Rose and Crown on bank holiday Sunday.

The Sharks, touring Calderdale and Kirklees over the bank holiday weekend, ran out comfortable 7-0 winners against a Stars side that couldn’t get to grips with their visitors’ elaborate style. The Sharks continued the weekend in similar fashion with comfortable, high-scoring victories over Alverthorpe, Wakefield and Howden Clough.

Despite the loss, everyone was in good spirits as parents and players alike enjoyed post-match drinks in the Community Centre. Sharks manager Geoff Stanley was pleased with the overall result, “It was a good game of football which we enjoyed, for obvious reasons. The game was played in a great spirits, the parents were excellent and everything has been done in a good manner. We have to thank Greetland Goldstars for their hospitality and accommodating us”. Stars manager Andy Heaton was equally as bright, despite the result, “I think it was a good experience for the lads to face a team from a different area. Over the course of the game, it was good to see the lads could pick out their own shortcomings and we can take that forward into pre season. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, which is what it’s all about”. The Sharks confirmed on the night that they will return to face the Stars again at the end of the 2009-2010 season.

After a long season, the Stars finally had the chance to kick back and relax with their end of season party at The Rose and Crown. Manager Andy Heaton and assistant Andy Bean provided words on the season before the Stars tucked into a fantastic buffet laid on by The Rose.

The party also gave an excellent opportunity for the Stars to present their annual award of Parent’s Player of the Year. Sean Gabbitas took the award for the second time in three years after a stunning season from the energetic winger. Rob Main, of sponsors Halifax Car Radio Centre, Halifax, presented the trophy. Luke Heaton took the Players Player of the Year award, presented by Andy Judson and Jet Summerscales of The Rose and Crown, who sponsored the particular award. There were also awards for Rob Main, who took the Players Parent of the Year gong, Gary Porter, who refereed all but one of the Stars’ home games this season and Kev Murphy of ISS Printers, who personally oversaw the printing of the new Stars kit in less than 24 hours.

The fun continued well into the night, with the Stars lads enjoying themselves and equally so, the parents, who were entertained by local band The Reflections. The night finally brought the curtain down on an educational season for the Stars before the club presentation evening on May 30th. Manager Andy Heaton said, "It's good that we recognise the lads' achievements, something that was actively encouraged by our sponsors who laid on a brilliant do for us. With the pressures the lads face as they grow up, we always said that we had to make their football as enjoyable an experience as possible. The party typified this, there were smiles all round, everyone enjoyed not just the night but the season as a whole. Hopefully next year can be just as good if not better".

With the season over, the Stars are already looking to next season. For the first time, the lads will undergo a full pre-season programme through July and August, rounded off with the second band night at the Rose and Crown on August bank holiday Sunday.

Under 11 Stars – End of Season Review

Stars end the season with football and fun!