Cleeve Colts Rovers in December 2007, with the beginnings of Cleeve Hill in the background.
Young Adam Bignall (son of Chris) is in the back row, third from left.
I'm talking about The Beautiful Game here (football i.e.soccer), but it could be any sport in any country in the world. In this instance, the "grass
roots" refers to a splendid U13 (under 13-years of age) team by the name of Cleeve Colts Rovers.
Co-coached by my very dear pal of over 35 years, Chris Bignall, Cleeve Colts Rovers ply their trade in the Cheltenham Youth Football League
Under-13s Division 2.
As in any sport, the future of English football lies with its youth and you'll find hundreds of youth teams just like Cleeve Colts Rovers playing football
-- for the love of the game -- all over England. You get the parents washing the kit; people like Chris working full-time, running a family with his wife
Caroline, and giving up his free hours for his young charges.
It really is all for the love of the game, and down the road you never know which young players developing their football skills on a Sunday
afternoon, could end up playing semi-professional and even professional football. It what sport is truly all about.
Check out their website and raise your pint glass to a fine team of young players ! http://cleevecoltsrovers.spaces.live.com/
Cheers !
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| Sir Geoff Hurst (far right) presenting Cleeve Colts Rovers with the Sportsmanship award in May 2006. My mate Chris is wearing the trendy black outfit. Sir Geoff scored three goals in the 4-2 win over Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final, making him a national hero. It remains England's only success in a major football tournament. |