B&DYFL match of the week: Spirit of Youth Raptors v Thornton Cleveleys Tigers
Players, coaches, officials and parents at our match of the week between Spirit of Youth Raptors and Thornton Cleveleys Tigers were united with clubs across the Fylde coast in paying tribute to one of youth football’s most popular figures last weekend.
The passing this month of the much-loved coach Gaz Moseley was marked with a minute’s applause at all local youth fixtures.
Gaz never gave up fighting after his cancer diagnosis and the applause which rang out across the football fields of Fylde celebrated his long-standing dedication to the game.
Video clips from the tributes at all the games are to be edited together to form a montage for his club, Poulton Jaguars, and family.
Gaz was a loving husband to Charlotte and an amazing father to Rocco and Kylo.
The applause was respectfully observed at Common Edge before the Under-9s match between the Raptors and the Tigers.
Spirit of Youth coach Brad Fothergill, a relative of Gaz’s, told The Gazette: “It was an honour to do this for Gaz, his family, friends and all who knew him.
“It was a good game too and this team has done really well since moving into the Blackpool and District Youth League this season from the Poulton League.
“The team has come on really well in the past 12 months in their understanding of team play and positions, and they have become very difficult to score against.”
Thornton Cleveleys manager Craig Withers has only been in charge for six weeks but is thoroughly enjoying the challenge.
“It was absolutely freezing but it was a good match,” he said.
“I had been assistant for around a year before I stepped up and we’re doing all right.”
Both teams have taken the step up from five to seven-a-side this season in their stride.
Craig added: “The Tigers started three years ago. We got two new players this season but the others are originals.
“They are all enjoying it and I’m happy to keep it going and look after them as long as they want me to!”
Raptors boss Brad added: “We’ve been together around 18 months and three of us share the coaching.
“We had 10 players anyway last season, so moving to seven-a-side hasn’t been a problem.
“The main team hasn’t changed since the start and that’s helped our consistency.”
Raptors’ player of the day was Emilia and Brad explained: “Emilia is one two girls in the team and she was rock solid in defence, a great performance.”
Craig felt that the Tigers’ star player award had to be shared between his team, saying: “We had no substitutes and all seven players worked really hard.”