• January 26, 2016

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• By Paul

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The people’s FA Cup is a nationally run tournament, sponsored this year by the BBC and we’ve entered two teams. Both our teams were strong but young with the average age being under 20 for both sides.

The standard of teams we played was probably the highest of any competition we have ever entered. Neither of our sides disgraced themselves and whilst the lads were disappointed, especially as both teams lost the first two matches, they hung on in there and the three matches won were won with good football against good teams. We were a touch naïve at times and need to learn how to close games out but we will be better for the experience.

We had a brief group discussion to reflect on our performance (played 8, won 3, lost 4 and drew 1) when some people wanted to go home. We discussed character and resilience and used our sporting experiences to reflect on family and work throwing up challenges and asking whether we can we just walk away ? We could not help but smile as one 17 year old lad reflected on a 4:1 loss….

family or work won’t be as bad as this !

It was really heartening to see both our teams supporting each other and it was amazing to see what a victory can do for people. At one stage it looked like we would go all through the competition without a win but with great determination and self-belief victories were eventually secured. A massive well done to everyone involved !