SOME THOUGHTS ON RANGERS AND JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Bridlington Rangers approach the 2000/2001 season with a record number of 15 teams. 11 teams have entered the East Yorkshire Junior League, 2 are to compete in the Hull League and 2 in the Scarborough League (Swift's Minor League).
It will be the first season when all age groups, from Under 8's to Under 16's will have teams. The Club headquarters is the Bridlington Sports and social Club. With 170 players on the books, the administration of the club will involve even more work and effort but the back up is excellent and there will be no problems (hopefully).
As Chairman, my job is to keep myself informed of the progress of each team, keep in touch with Managers, hold regular meetings of the Management Committee, see as many games as possible, resolve disputes and meet as many parents as time will permit - usually on the touchline at games and on Club social evenings. Touchline talking is not easy in a gale force wind or driving rain! The main social evenings are when presentations to players are made, usually in May at the end of the season. These are held to cover different age groups. John Brunton (Scarborough), Richard Cresswell (Sheffield Wednesday) and Jonathan Greening (Manchester United) kindly agreed to be present to make the awards this year. Brunton and Cresswell are former Rangers' players.
The most popular night is the Christmas Party, which last year was held at Bridlington Leisure World. Around 400 attended - including a certain Father Christmas. The Christmas party is a fantastic night for me. To see all our young players, Managers, Assistant Managers, Committee members and parents of the players together at one venue is tremendous.
When I remember that the first four Christmas parties after the Club was founded in 1979 were held at my house, I realise how the club has grown. If it had been a business, I would have been a rich man! The other thing that the social events bring home to me is that Rangers means much more than providing football facilities for our players. It is also about developing the youngsters as individuals. Their curriculum within the Club includes learning to be part of a team, learning to lose as well as to win, helping other less able team mates, developing self-discipline, on and off the field, respecting adults and authority, winning fairly and losing with honour. In a way, this character development is more important than the football side of the job, although my love of the game will always make it an equal priority.
The importance of participation in sport in the development of youngsters to become good citizens is, unfortunately, often overlooked when charity money or grant money is being distributed. The role of a Junior Team Manager is often underrated. Unless one has been a Manager (I was for 17 years), it is impossible to imagine the time and effort (all unpaid) which goes into the job. The Rangers' Managers coach on Saturday mornings and are involved with their teams on Sundays in competitive games. The whole weekend for 6 months therefore are blocked. It is not only the weekends though. Planning for the weekend of football takes much time (particularly on the telephone). To receive a telephone call on the Saturday night, from the Manager of the opposing team to say that the ground is waterlogged, or that his team has gone down with a rare virus (sometimes, I suspect, the true reason is that his 2 best players are not available) is the worst possible nightmare. How do you contact all your team before the pre-arranged departure time the next morning? What about young Jimmy, the Centre Forward, who was leaving early with his dad and going directly to the ground. They do not have a telephone!! Having said all this, those who choose to manage Junior sides have a genuine love of the game, a commitment to the team, its' progress and the well-being of the youngsters under their control. They have to be good communicators and be respected by team members and parents.
In the Rangers Club, I am very fortunate to have a set of Managers who give me more time than I could reasonably expect from them to ensure that the Club goes forward and upward. They each have the interests of the players in their charge at heart and know how to deal fairly with each squad member. A club of this size needs strong back-up on the administration side. We have an excellent Treasurer, Secretary and some long serving non-manager committee members who support the work of Rangers in many ways. All the Managers serve on the Committee. It is vital that not only do players and parents get on together, so too should committee members. Give and take in discussions, not bearing grudges if the vote 'goes the wrong way', being able to socialise with a committee member who has stated opposing views are essential features of a good Committee member.
I intend to write more in the future about what makes a good junior football club, which Rangers certainly is. Some would say I am biased when I laud the praises of my Club but the facts speak for themselves - from 12 players in 1979 to 170 in 2000. From 1 team to 15. From a Committee of one - myself, the Great Dictator - to one with 20 members ('is the committee now too big?' This is the latest issue to be discussed).
Yes, the story of the Bridlington Rangers Junior Football Club is one of great success - not only success in providing first class facilities for youngsters to enjoy and develop their skills in a great sport but also in developing them to be responsible members of society. There have been some failures but not many over the years. The work done at grass roots on a voluntary basis to coach youngsters and organise competitive games and the benefits it brings to the young players and the community is not given sufficient recognition financially or otherwise by decision makers Nationally.

John H Gibson (Chairman) Bridlington Rangers Junior Football Club (Est. 1979) 16th September 2000