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For a team that started life four years ago, to provide continued football for boys who were too old for Little League football, Kew Association Casuals has proved durable. And the core of the team are still from the players who came from the Kingston Little League background. After finishing 3rd as Under 16s in the first division of the Epsom and Ewell Youth League, we had hopes of collecting silverware, only to be ambushed early in the season by also-ran sides that had strengthened their line ups since the previous season, plus the arrival of a very strong Merstham Youth club, whose two teams ended up winning both U17 divisions. Plus we’d lost our captain Tom Holmes, leaving a big hole in central defence. James volunteered himself into that role, as Tom had done before, and when Conagh brought his friend Ashley to partner James in central defence, we then restored our competitiveness. Reward for James as Most Improved player. He also stepped up to captain the side during Freddie’s absences, as he became increasingly distracted by drama. (Best wishes to Freddie as he moves on to spend more time on the boards.) Mid season, Tom Hinkley joined us from the Youth team and found his goal-scoring touch and was a popular addition to the team as he pipped Ashley by one vote as Player’s player. Liam, who had more onfield time than anyone except goalie Ollie, won the Manager’s player award. Another late addition to the team, Dan, gave us extra strength in midfield for our final difficult games. So although a poor start meant we were never going to win the league, an improved run took us to mid-table respectability, not too far adrift of the top sides, and only two teams did the double over us. Most satisfying to finish the season with a touch of symmetry as we put five goals past Epsom Athletic who’d scored five against us on the opening day of the season. Click on the link for more details of our U17 season and earlier history.
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