BURY GIRLS & LADIES FC
AGM – Thursday 7th July 2011
Attendance:
Diana Golding, Shaun Ellison, Steve Perry, Lyn Perry, Lee Murphy, Steve Shaw, Graham
Lightbown, Hayley Corns, John Woodman, Dave Topping, Neil Hall,
Apologies:
Graeme Taggart
1. Minutes of AGM held 8th July 2010
Recorded as a true and accurate record.
2. Matter Arising
None
3. Treasurers Report/Statement of Accounts
All present was supplied with a copy of the accounts. Although our income is slightly down on last year
and the expenditure is up on last year the accounts still remain healthy with a balance sheet total of
£14,145. We have spent a considerable amount this year on coaching courses, £3407 in comparison to
last years £468 as we have increased the quality of coaches at the club. This bill will be less next year
as all teams now have qualified coaches. We also purchased a mower at £1900 so we can improve the
pitches. Bills still to pay are for new kit, estimated at £3000 and trophies £1000.
With regard to new kit please note the kits will just be numbered as they come. For example we will not
ask the shop to put numbers 7, 9 & 10 on the LB and 2, 3 & 6 on MB and so on for teams with different
sizes. If a team has different sizes it could be all the LB are 1 to 5 and all the MB are 6 to 11.
Floats – need to be accounted for. This still seems to be an issue for some Managers. Please note
exactly what your float has been spent on. For example:
Date
7 Jan 11
11th Jan 11
18th Jan 11
20th Jan 11
th
Item
Float received
Referee v Burnley
Referee v Birkdale
Box of plasters – receipt attached
Income
50.00
Expenditure
20.00
20.00
2.50
Balance
50.00
30.00
10.00
7.50
4. Club Constitution & Code of Conducts
No amendments to these. Copies are available and are on the website.
5. Team Managers – End of Season Reports
Under 8 – new group. Lots of players attending at the moment. Some will move up to form U9s. The
youngest will continue to train with Neil.
Under 9 (John/Steve) – This squad had been training under Diana and Lucy Golding and playing
friendly tournaments to gain experience. In April 2010 John Woodman and Steve Shaw agreed that
they would jointly manage the squad going forward, allowing Diana to concentrate solely on her own
squad of players.
John and Steve were both duly CRB checked and took FA Level 1 coaching courses in June and July.
The early issues involved finding a league to play in, but Diana had been in contact with the Manchester
FA who were looking to set up a girls league at U9 level playing at a central location which turned out
to be the astro pitches at Phillips High School, Whitefield, our own base.
The league was non-competitive so results weren’t recorded as per FA rules and the format was to be
4v4 with pop up goals and no goalkeepers. With a squad of 13 players we put two sides into the
competition, Bury Blacks and Bury Greens. Often games were played 5v5 to allow more playing time
for the girls.
An early season fun day saw nine teams involved and the event looked promising, come the start of the
season we were down to 5 teams involved and that quickly became 4, just the two sides from Bury and
2 from Chadderton Park. This didn’t stop the girls from enjoying themselves and early results for both
sides were very good.
In a bid to boost league numbers, and reduce pitch fees, North Manchester Girls League decided to
switch the venue to an existing pitch they use on Chapel Road, Hollinwood. This worked with 2 more
teams joining immediately and by the end of the season in May there were 9 teams in action.
Results continued to be very good with the introduction of AFC Manchester and improving Chadderton
Park sides providing the girls with more challenging games. From what I have seen, I would expect
these 2 sides along with us to form the top 3 next season as we go to either 6v6 or 7v7 (to be decided).
At the end of the season, the squad entered three tournaments and we all enjoyed the games coming
thick and fast. At Bispham (7v7) we drew 2 and lost 1 game (against Blackpool) but went on to win the
3rd/4th place play off 3-0 on penalties against our league rivals AFC Manchester.
At Skelmersdale (5v5) the squad did really well to progress from the group, winning 3 games and
drawing 1 before going down to a strong Filles side in the semi-final.
At Euxton (7v7) the squad did really well in very wet conditions, we got through the group stage
without defeat albeit with 5 draws from the six games and went into the final against Blackpool and lost
1-0 to a fluke goal and so took the runners up trophies.
3 girls will stay at U9 level and join those moving up from the U8s squad.
John and myself didn’t really know what we were letting ourselves in for this time last year but it has
been very enjoyable and we would like to thank our players, parents and all the other managers and
committee members at Bury Girls & Ladies FC for their fantastic support over the last year and as we
move on to U10s.
Under 10 (Graeme)- Following the formation of an initial Under 9s squad back in May 2009, it is
extremely pleasing to report that great progress has been made in the 24 months since that time. Overall
responsibility for this squad has remained with one of the player’s parents, Graeme Taggart.
Graeme had some relevant qualifications from his involvement with the football clubs used by his two
sons and had subsequently completed his FA Level 1 Coaching training in August 2009. He also
undertook further FA coaching covering specific ‘age-related’ training activities during the 2009-10
season.
Graeme is assisted by his wife Eilish as First-Aider (FA qualification held) and a close friend, Mark
Edwards, as Assistant Coach / additional First-Aider (FA qualification held for First Aid). All have FA
CRB clearance in place. Also helping out during the most recent season has been another “willing (!)”
parent, Paul Douglas, who has done a fantastic job in collating all the match reports for the league and
cup fixtures.
Following our first experience of playing together as a league team in the North Valley League in the
2009-10 season, we had 8 girls keen to take part once again in 2010-11. A further 6 more were to join
around the start of the new season, giving us an excellent squad of mixed experience and ability.
This time, we entered the West Lancashire Girls’ League, which is well known as the largest girls’
league in North West England. Initially, the league was going to be split into two divisions at our Under
10s age group, but following the withdrawal of 3 teams due to low squad numbers, the league was
combined, leaving 14 teams in the competition. Due to the strong likelihood of inclement weather over
the winter, the league committee made a ruling that all teams would play each other only once, with a
draw undertaken to ensure that all teams received a fair share of home and away fixtures.
As ever, it was going to be a big challenge, going up against some strong long-established teams, but it
would be a ‘learning experience’ for all concerned and a good platform for further development.
And so it turned out to be! It was a massive league in terms of team numbers, and our girls were
competing against some strong teams with greater football experience, but for the most part, we were
not overawed and all our girls showed much grit and determination in all the games played. Across the
season, we had some great closely-fought games and prided ourselves on being able to rotate our squad
to be fair to all squad members and to give those players who were new to football full opportunity to
take part.
At one stage, we had reached the “heady heights” of being second in the league of 14, but ultimately, we
had to face some of the stronger teams late in the season, which eventually saw us finish in 7th place—
still though a very respectable “mid-table” position. In all of that, our worst result was a 3-goal deficit—
in other words, we were never “overrun” by the opposition and certainly gave most of the teams above
us in the final league table a tough and competitive game.
We were though extremely pleased to reach the main League Cup Final (for the second year running!),
where we once again played the eventual joint league winners, Mill Hill Girls FC. We did ultimately
lose the match at a floodlit Burscough FC stadium 2-0, but this was a close contest, a point
acknowledged by all concerned and remarked upon by the league officials overseeing the game. All our
girls once again “played their hearts out” and thoroughly deserved the plaudits and medals they
received.
We were also pleased to have attracted more players during the season, with these girls either joining
our Under 11s squad to increase numbers there or going into a new Under 10s training squad. This
training squad was fully involved in our training and friendly matches alongside the main league squad,
but league restrictions meant that we could not add further girls to the Under 10s League squad.
It is very rewarding to note that the “core” of the squad has remained intact throughout the season and
that all the league players want to “do it all again” in 2011-12. It is also pleasing to see that the new girls
in the Training squad will now move to a second league squad at Under 11s level, combining there with
some players from our existing Under 11s squad, who will still qualify for that age group next season.
That squad will be looked after by our existing Under 11s manager, Lee Murphy.
We are now building for the new season, to play once again in the same league at Under 11s level. The
enthusiasm and ambition of all the girls will provide us with further strength in depth in the months
ahead. We will continue to foster links with other clubs and leagues as we have done at various times
over the last 12 months.
As a manager, I would like to record my sincere thanks to: a) my assistant Mark Edwards for his excellent all-round support during the last 12 months, and to
his family members Graham and Becky for coaching support in recent months;
b) my wife Eilish for all her work as our First-Aider and her general welfare support for the girls
throughout the season;
c) Paul Douglas for being so reliable in penning some very entertaining match reports, which
certainly captured a great deal of the entertainment and excitement experienced at our matches;
d) my own children for using their own football experience to support training drills, warm-up
sessions before matches and for acting as referee when needed for some of our friendlies. Also
for putting up with Dad and all the time needed to fulfil his administration duties in running a
football team!
e) all the parents for supporting their daughters throughout our adventures in the last season and for
helping with moving equipment and transport!
f) all club officials for their support and encouragement in this crucial period for our developing
section.
FINAL THANKS MUST GO TO ALL THE GIRLS IN THE SQUAD FOR THEIR HARD WORK,
ENTHUSIASM, TEAMWORK AND SUPPORT FOR THE CLUB AS A WHOLE.
Without that dedication, we would not have a team to manage.
Good luck to all for a successful and rewarding season in 2011-12!!
Under 11 (Lee) - Before the season started, we played a friendly tournament at Oswaldtwistle, to which
the girls gave a good account of themselves.
As the season started, we were struggling for numbers and also playing girls up a year to try and make
up for this. The first half of the season proved very difficult, with quite a few high score defeats.
The second half of the season started a lot brighter with us being able to field a full squad for most
matches.
The last game of the season was probably one of the best games that we played, even though we lost 30. At this point, the girls were showing a vast improvement, but unfortunately we had run out of games
to try and get that illusive win, which would have come, as the girls were getting better and better.
West Lancs was a very strong league with some exceptional players.
Thanks to everyone for sticking with it, parents and players alike.
Under 12 (Neil) – A good season finishing 5th from 8. Further report to follow.
Under 13 (Shaun) - We made a move from the West Lancs League to the North Manchester League
and 9v9 to 7v7 to develop the team further. The first couple of games saw us with heavy defeats 11-1
and 9-1. However, we stuck to the task and then won our first game. With our new found confidence
we then went on a run of 4 wins in succession. All in all it was a good season with us finishing 6th in a
big league. Unfortunately we lost the last game which we needed a win to finish 5th. A highlight of the
season was beating the league winners 1-0 3rd match from the end. This demonstrated how far the girls
had come this year. We have the best goal keeper in the league by far, Neymh. We will continue with
North Manchester as the girls are now growing in confidence week on week and the scores are coming
down.
Under 14 (Graham/Dave) - It has been a good season, although long and trying running two leagues.
The West Lancs League was our priority with the Bury, Bolton and District League being used to
develop newer players. One of the highlights of the season was a draw against Burnley and beating
Birkdale to take second spot in the league, pushing Birkdale into 3rd. The trip to Germany was fabulous
and if any other teams get the opportunity to go abroad it is thoroughly recommended. The girls are a
very close nit team and this helps when travelling abroad. The girl’s behaviour was exceptional and
they didn’t let anyone down. There was a minor problem with FIFA when we arrived at the stadium to
watch England v New Zealand as they made us cover the McDonalds badge on our Charter Standard
logo. We also got a mention by the BBC commentators live on air. We played a match against a team
from Berlin on the Saturday and they made us feel very welcome. Although we lost 4-2 we all had a
great time. Just to cap off a great trip the girls then bumped into George Sampson at the airport on the
way back, they were buzzing. The Presentation Evening capped off a good season, this was the best
evening we have ever had at the Club. The team finished runners up in the West Lancs League and the
BBDJFL and cup runners up at the Reebok Stadium.
Under 15 (Diana) - The team size was increased to 18 this season with the addition of a couple of
players. We entered two leagues, South Manchester Girls League and North Valley League. The North
Valley was very much the same as the last two seasons, but was useful to allow some of our more
inexperienced players the chance to develop. The South Manchester was the tougher of the two leagues
and we relished the challenge. We did very well to maintain our standards and complete two sets of
fixtures; this was testament to the girls and parents commitment to the team.
In the North Valley we came Runners-Up in the League which is fine given the circumstances
surrounding the way this League is run, (long story) and also League Cup Runners Up. Good to get to
the final for the 3rd year running. We will probably stay in this League even though it has its issues as it
is good for the development of players and gives us additional games.
Our aim was to come in the top three in the South Manchester League. We did more than this and won
the League, the League Cup and the Challenge Cup and were unbeaten all season in all competitions.
This is a great achievement as some of the matches were very close and it was the true grit and
determination of the players that saw us through. We also had one of our players take Player of the
Season at the League Presentation.
Training again has been thorough and well attended. Our training very much went according to plan.
The team completed their Junior Football Organisers Course with 11 players also completing the Basic
Referees Course. It was good to see the girls wanting to develop their all round football skill and
knowledge and I hope this benefits them greatly in the future.
Thank you to all the players, parents and Club for their continued support. Yet again they have shown
great commitment to football and the Club and this has yet again paid off in all that they have achieved.
Ladies (Steve) - It has been a hard season and we did well not to be relegated. One of the highlights
was a draw against Burnley when we only had 10 players and they were 3rd in the league. This draw
was probably the point that stopped us going down. The players showed great commitment and
togetherness and this will be what got them through the season as well. The challenge now is to get
players in and get them signed on ready for next season.
6. Election of Club Officers
Lyn Perry has decided to step down as Club Secretary, but will continue in a role as Ladies Secretary.
Steve Shaw was proposed by Diana and seconded by Shaun to take the role as Youth/Junior Secretary.
We also welcomed Hayley Corns who is taking the role as Under 9s Manager. We have two parents of
an U8s player who are happy to volunteer and Graham and Becky who are willing helpers who have
been assisting Neil with training. We need to look now at were we utilise this valuable help. We still
need a new Welfare Officer, Diana has the post at the moment but it would be better if it was someone
else. We still have a vacancy for a Fundraising/Social Secretary if anyone knows of anyone who would
like to take up this role. Not essential as we all take part in fundraising activities anyway.
Lyn is happy to show Steve the ropes as he settles into his new post. All Managers need to take
responsibility for their teams and not leave tasks to Secretaries unnecessarily. This will make Lyn and
Steve’s jobs that bit easier. One of the biggest problems has been referees when teams change kick off
times, days or cancel matches and they don’t notify Lyn.
7. Confirmation of Leagues for Season 2010/11 and kick off times
Under 9 – 4v4
Under 10 – 7v7
Under 11 – 7v7
Under 12 – 7v7
Under 13 – 9v9
Under 14 – 7v7
Under 15 – 11v11
Under 16 – 11v11
Ladies – 11v11
North Manchester
Saturday mornings Central Venue
North Manchester
Saturday mornings Central Venue
West Lancs
Sunday 11.00am
Phillips
North Manchester
Saturday mornings Central Venue
North Valley
Sunday 11.00am
Phillips
North Manchester
Saturday mornings Central Venue
West Lancs
Sunday 1.00pm
Phillips
South Manchester & North Valley 11.00am
Phillips
NWWPFL
Sunday 2.00pm
Phillips
Teams playing in the North Manchester League pay £7.50 each match to the referee.
8. Team Goals & Aspirations for Season 2010/11
Under 8 – (Neil) To continue to provide football to girls from the age of 6 years.
Under 9 - (Hayley) To develop the new squad in the North Manchester Girls League.
Under 10 - (John Woodman & Steve Shaw) For all girls to have fun, enjoy training sessions, matches
and social events. To make training sessions fun with emphasis on variety aiming to develop the girl’s
skills, technique and enjoyment. To retain all existing players in the squad. To help
new/inexperienced/less developed players to improve their skills and technique and enjoy football. In
addition to league games, arrange friendlies and practice matches and enter tournaments to give the girls
a wide experience of opposition and formats. To help our stronger/more experienced players develop
further. To encourage team work and team spirit throughout the squad, as the girls participate in a
competitive league for the first time this season. To finish in the top half of the North Manchester Girls
Under 10s League. To win a relevant age football tournament before the start of the 2012/13 season.
Under 11 - (Graeme Taggart & Mark Edwards) To finish the season in the top third of the relevant
Under 11s Girls’ League that the squad enters for the 2011-12 season. To attract a minimum of 3 new
members to the overall Under 11s squads at the Club during the 2011-12 season. To have not more than
3 girls leave our Under 11s squad (and leave the Club) during the actual 2011-12 season. To get
through to the minimum of the semi-final stage of a relevant age football tournament before the start of
the 2012-13 season. To assist the development of the other squads at Bury Girls & Ladies FC by
promoting the benefits of the Club at outside events, and in dialogue with persons outside the Club,
between July 2011 and August 2012 inclusive.
Under 12 – (Lee Murphy) A year on, a year wiser. Hopefully by entering a weaker league with the
same core of players, I would like to think that we are able to push on from where we ended up at the
end of the season, scoring more goals and maybe winning a few games. The introduction of a dedicated
goal keeper should also allow our stronger players to push forward and create play. Bring it on 
Under 13 – Awaiting report from Neil Hall.
Under 14 – (Shaun Ellison) Will be in the same league as last year carrying on 7v7. Would like to have
12 players by the end of this summer and maybe a couple more. The league has accepted four new
teams. It would be nice to finish at least half way, preferably in the top five. I am getting good support
from the girls at the moment and hope to progress them further this season and as we build on their
confidence and develop their skills further.
Under 15 – (Graham Lightbown & Dave Topping) Will be continuing in the West Lancs League
although may need to enter at U16s as there are only 4 teams currently at U15. Graham to look into
further. Seems to be a shortage of U15s leagues in the area.
Under 16 – (Diana Golding) To enter the team into both leagues again for this season. To maintain
positions within the top three of both leagues. To maintain the number of players in the team. To reach
the League Cup finals in both leagues. Lucy has now passed her Level 2 qualification, training this
season will be slightly different with fitness training looking at core strength as all players are already
match fit in the hope this will start to give us the edge against older/bigger players. To look at working
on set pieces. To get the players to understand their role within the team. To look at Under 18s leagues
for next season and decide the best option for the team. To try and complete a trip abroad. To extend
who we play in friendlies/tournaments etc to give the team better and varied competition.
Ladies – (Steve Perry) To get all new players signed on and committed to the team. To have a full
squad at all matches so we are able to compete on a level playing field. To remain in this division of the
NWWRFL. To not be in a position were we are worried about relegation. To continue to attract new
players and integrate them into the existing squad.
9.
AOB
None notified.
END OF AGM
General AOB
An email has been sent regarding winter training. This is being finalised as:
Phillips – U8/9s 6-7pm and U10s, 11s & 12s 7-8pm Wednesday
Broadoak – U15s 6-7pm Wednesday
Parrenthorn – Ladies 8-9pm Wednesday. U13s & 14s 6-7pm Thursday and U16s 7-8pm Thursday
Race Night – please keep going with selling
‘100 Club Draw’ – 1st 25 Pymgate, 2nd 13 Ray Evans, 3rd 35 Pymgate
Training balls needed – Lee to source and purchase these.
Neil’s phone number is now correct on the website. His email address is now
neilhallburygirlsfc@yahoo.co.uk