Blackpool and District Youth League football is back: BJFF Predators Under-7s v Kirkham Junior Fire

Five weeks after the league had been forced to shut down, under-sevens teams BJFF Predators and Kirkham Junior Fire were delighted to be back on the pitch for our match of the week at Bispham Gala Fields, despite having little training, if any, beforehand.

As hosts BJFF train on a Wednesday, they were able to have a session last week as restrictions were eased on that day. The Kirkham side train on a Tuesday and so weren’t so lucky, going straight into the match without having had a session together for more than a month.

But they didn’t mind that or the mud on a cold Saturday morning as the players produced an excellent, hard-fought game.

Even in such a difficult year, neither club has had problems recruiting players and both have formed multiple teams for their first season of Youth League football.

Managers Steve Haworth of BJFF and Kirkham’s Martin Boyle could continue to coach their respective sides right through to Under-16 level over the next decade.

Steve told The Gazette: “We’ve been together as a team for about six months, though we were in the BJFF development group for under-sixes before that and we’re doing all right.

“We have children from all backgrounds and they really enjoy it. It was wet and cold on Saturday but they all dug in for a good, competitive game.

“We have one more game in this phase of the season before we move into winter friendlies and round-robins.”

Kirkham boss Martin, who has been coaching for 18 years, added: “We were worried on Friday evening, when the Lancashire FA announced there would be no grassroots football in December from Preston eastwards, but thankfully we’ve been allowed to start up again.

“We’ve played 10 games this season and it’s going well. The way the team passed and moved despite the conditions on Saturday, it was as though they had never been away, even though we hadn’t been able to train before the game.

“This team first came together as under-fives and we’re one of three under-sevens teams at Kirkham – we’ll be adding a fourth in the New Year. We don’t decide the teams on ability – it’s all about enjoyment and we seem to get new players every week.”

BJFF named two players of the match in Garry (parents’ choice) and Harry (coaches’), while Zane received the Kirkham award for his outstanding second-half display.

Throughout the BDYFL there was a massive effort by clubs to ensure grounds were safe for a return to action.

Lots of entertaining football was played by the smiling under-sevens and under-eights in their development matches, while the under-16s were also glad to return to action.

The FC Rangers scorers in their home win over St Annes Diamonds were George Wharton, Joshua Leach, Jack Murphy and Cal Hardingham-Clarke, with Kai Haigh and Matthew Sillett both scoring twice.

League leaders St Annes Yellows proved just too strong for Wyre Juniors courtesy of goals from Elliot Collings (2), Max Robinson, Alex Jack and James Andrews, with Adam Stafford scoring for Wyre.

Waterlogged pitches forced the other matches to be postponed.