The new Marple Ath website is up and running

Please redirect to it by clicking here.

I may do a PAGs blog here, for a laugh.

New website nearly ready

The new website is nearly ready. For a sneak preview, have a look here at this work in progress. Alright for an amateur, what do you reckon?

Treat Refs with respect

We've had a message from the league about referees:

REFEREE'S , SCORECARDS AND REPORTS .

Firstly , can I thank the manager's and teams who have looked after the new referee's .

However , following last weekend's sharp rise in the idiot count , I thought it wise to point certain things out .

RED AND YELLOW CARDS .

If a player receives a card , you can confidently expect it to be sent in to Cheshire / Manchester FA . Approaching a referee after a match to ask if it will be sent in is pointless .

TOUCHLINE CONTROL .

of spectators is the job of the manager / coach . If the referee asks for a spectator to be quietened down then it is the responsibility of the manager to accede to the request . The same applies if a referee requests a manager to remove a spectator , or indeed the manager himself / herself . Ultimately , if the request of the referee is not followed through , then the referee is within his rights to abandon the match should any verbal abuse continue or if the person is not removed .

RUBBER LIP SYNDROME .

Your referee is there to provide a game of football for the junior's . Even if you don't like the decision's , we are not there to listen to your opinions . It's natural that mistakes will be , and are made , just as manager's and player's will make countless mistakes during games . You would be rightly offended were we as referee's to turn to you and tell you how bad you or your player's were , especially were we to do this throughout a game . Last Saturday gave an example , a manager continuously telling a newly qualified junior referee how bad he thought he was . This from a gentleman who no doubt has never , and probably will never , referee a game .

SCORECARDS / REPORTS .

If you mark your referee four or less on the scorecard you will be asked , through your age-group secretary , to provide a written report why . You may also be asked to provide a report should your referee make a complaint directy to me that he feels should be dealt with 'locally' rather than through the FA . It is in the teams best interest to provide a written report as soon as possible . If I don't receive a requested report within a reasonable time , I will withhold referee's from the team concerned until I receive the report . Please note , I won't be dealing with such matters by phone , neither should you expect me to deal with complaints about match decisions . It is both impractical and unfair for me to make a judgement on a referee's decision's , whether I was in attendance or not .

It is unfortunate to note , that I have had to remove teams already from referee allocation simply because of their treatment of match officials . It's pretty sad that teams of twelve and thirteen year old lad's won't be allowed a referee just because an adult doesn't know how to behave . I expect to have to withhold referee's from other teams next week because of the absence of requested reports .

It's up to you folks . Treat your referee with respect regardless of your opinions , regardless of their age and regardless of their experience .

Or lose them .

Team of the Week

The Under 9 B team won a hard fought 1-0 away at Whaley Bridge on Saturday the 29th of September. Manager Padraig Walsh moved the team around a bit, but it paid off. Man of the match and goal scorer was Dominic Breed, skipper was Joe Taylor, who marshalled the defence very well.

Great start to the season

All Marple Athletic Junior Football Club sides have made a strong start to the season. There were wins across the board for all age groups in the first week, including the debut season for our newest side the under 7s, playing in the Reddish League at Curzon Ashton on Sunday mornings.

The invincible Under 10s A side won an incredible 14-0 against Bramhall North with Matt Murray bagging 5.

New kit on the way! – We are very excited about our kit which will make Marple Ath the smartest as well as the best junior football club in the area. Watch this space for our official kit launch.

Charter Standard – Marple Athletic Junior Football Club has been awarded the FA Charter Standard. This award certifies that the quality of coaching and care for young players is of a high standard. It’s a real achievement for the club and we’re very proud to have worked hard to prove we deserve it.

NEW SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND

The new season starts this weekend for all the Marple Ath teams.

We're also delighted that an Under 7s team will be competing in the Reddish League.

Work is progressing on the all new website, which should be operating in full in September.

Fixtures out now

The fixtures are out for the league games.

The link to them is on the Stockport JFL website, which you can link to be clicking here.