Parents,

As the season comes quickly to an end (3 games to go) we have some decisions to make around our boys footballing futures!

This season has been a struggle getting numbers to put out a 9 aside team. After the summer we move to 11 aside. To work properly we would need a squad of 14 or 15 boys to allow for proper structured training and absences throughout the season.

We have advertised on various forums for new players but have had no success.

Most of the other teams around us will have similar problems, the difference being that they will drop from 3 nine aside teams to 2 eleven aside teams. They have the luxury of waiting until start of season to decide what players they will register and those that will have to leave. This means that they can train throughout the summer in preparation.

11 aside teams must be registered by 16th June. Player names don’t need added until August.

Our options:

1/ The team folds and the boys that want to continue playing move on to new teams.
I have spoken to coaches in the teams in the surrounding villages.
Lasswade – they will have 2 teams but don’t need new players.
Bonnyrigg Rose – they will be looking for new players.
Penicuik Thistle – have 2 teams but only enough for half a Zidane team. Looking for 7 players and are keen for our boys to go to them. They currently train on a Monday and Thursday.

2/ We register a team and then continue looking for extra players and hope that extra players at other teams move to us.

Pros and Cons:
1/ boys who move team will get better structured training over summer and will be established in team for start season. Avoids chance that teams are all full come August if we wait until after summer to make decision and lads can’t find a team.

2/ keeps our boys together many of whom have been on team together for 6/7 years.

Concerns: the players that are likely to move to Loanhead will be the players that the other teams didn’t want so likely to be poorer players skill wise. Many of our lads are capable of playing at a higher level than Zidane but we could find ourselves playing at a lower level due to incoming boys.

Another concern is that lads looking for a team to join come to see our set up and see that we only get 6 or 7 at training and decide to go elsewhere.

It’s a shame it has come to this stage but it makes sense to at least give consideration to options. If parents want to have a meeting to discuss I can organise. Otherwise happy to chat at games or on phone.

We have 3 games left and I am organising a team treat for lads probably after last game on 9th June. Let me know if this date causes issues for an afternoon activity as we would like to have as many lads as possible to enjoy what we do. Details to follow.