Bilbrook Juniors is the team that Daz built.  Everything we are and everything we will be is a result of Darren Hardwick-Dawson’s unswerving commitment to build a successful football team out of the fragmented remains of a failed under 11’s team.  As one management turned its back on a committed bunch of Under 11 boys, Darren made a pledge to himself and to the boys that he would rebuild the team bigger and better.  He felt passionate about his quest and about the future of these youngsters; for Darren it is not all about the football.  Daren believes in each and every one of the youngsters and he lets them know this at every opportunity.  Week by week the team has grown in number and that number continues to increase.  Anyone who knows Darren knows of his own brand of passionate behaviour on match days, this is legendary, but they also know of his devotion to the boys and the game.  If you asked Darren to name all the members of the Team I am in no doubt that he would include the 2 excellent coaches Stuart and Mike as well as all the regular parental support that pace the sidelines every Sunday; match day.  Darren looks at the team as a whole as he is always aware that it is not just the players who make that commitment every week, come rain or shine, but the family and close friends also, including those who tend to the nets and corner posts and those who tend to the first aid; some even bring rewarding chocolate bars for the boys at the end of each match.

There are 2 other important members of this up and coming team and they are the coaches, Stu and Mike.  Their indefatigable commitment every week is exemplary as they are on the front line dealing with a bunch of very active, keen and determined youngsters who, at the start, all wanted to be the goal scorer, consistently, week in week out.  The team started out as a cluster of lads all chasing one ball, not knowing what “pass the ball” meant. With grit and determination, patience and understanding Mike and Stu instilled into these boys a clearer understanding of team collaboration and out of that grew respect for each other.  The coaches have increased not only their overall football skills but their match day endurance.  Thanks to Mike and Stuart we now have a very good football team that is growing in number as well as in strength.  As a new team we may not have won a great number of matches this season but for 90% of matches the boys have been able to walk off the pitch with their heads held high; they have finally learned to understand the game they love to play.  Thanks to selfless commitment of Darren, Mike and Stuart these youngsters have grown into a team who now believe they can reach the goals they dream about.  I personally look forward to every Sunday Morning along with many other parents and friends, it is these boy that make Sunday Morning worth getting out of bed for.