Juniors Presentations

This season saw the continued rise in popularity of juniors football at the Guild, with four teams playing regular organised football. The presentations evening took place at Farrow Fields on 22 June and was a very enjoyable evening for all who attended.

All engraving and trophies were organised by club chairman Danny Saines and U11s manager Neil Pearce with thanks, and supplied by Supreme Engraving and Challenge Trophies. Thanks also to our fantastic bar staff Clare and Ian.

The Paul Eddleston Trophy was inaugurated in 2023 to reward the player who has progressed most from all junior teams over the season. It is named after Paul Eddleston who has been with the club since the late 1970s starting with the Guild at the age of 15 and has served the club with distinction ever since.

The Colts' presentations were on 8 June alongside the senior teams, and their individual awards can be seen at www.fobgfc.org/?page=presentations_2024; however, At the risk of repetition, the Paul Eddleston trophy winners are shown below.

The Under 8s played in the Selkent League, their first experience of organised football, playing a year under age. They enjoyed every minute under the tutelage of Joff Excell and Jack Kehoe.

The Under 11s also played in the Selkent League, their second season of "competitive" football and enjoyed all the games under the tutelage of Neil Pearce, Jon Gasson and Paul Embleton.

The Under 13s, in their second season with us, were accepted into the prestigious Kent Youth League. After an uncertain start they found their feet and finished in a very creditable fourth place in Division U13 Central, above the likes of Tonbridge, Sevenoaks Town and Dartford. Manager Michael Clark and assistant Seb Favata will say that development is more important than league position but nevertheless it says a lot about the team's progress.

A special mention goes to Harry Lauder who with his 51 league and cup goals was the leading goalscorer for the entire Kent County League (all age groups). This is an outstanding achievement which was duly recognised by the league.