The increasing numbers walking around the streets of Gedling on a weekend morning dressed in purple shows the success of relative newcomers to the football scene, Willow Wanderers.
Formed in 2015 when the chairman Tom Turner and club secretary Neil Barrs felt their approach to kids’ football was at odds with the club they were then working with, the duo decided to go their own way.
Their players followed them almost unanimously to create a distinctive new club with a clear philosophy of putting the enjoyment of football above the desire to win games and, unusually, a commitment to equal game time right up to U12.
The club however seemed to have a bit of a Cup curse hanging over them as since their inception in 2015, they’d never laid hands on a knockout trophy.
This all changed last month (May) when the Gedling-based youth football club finally broke their Cup duck – and then added a second less than a week later.
Gedling Eye caught up with Club Secretary Neil Barrs and some of the team responsible for breaking Willow’s cup hoodoo.
Neil told us that “We’ve won plenty of trophies in different league divisions, and the odd Fair Play award to boot but a knockout trophy always seemed to elude our teams.
“The U14 Lions got close last year, making it to their final before losing to a strong West Bridgford Colts side; a couple of years previously, the U9 Raptors reached Willow’s first ever final, before being pipped at the post.
“Then at last, in May, the U14 Eagles – newcomers to the club just a year previously – first won their Sunday Division 1 title, and then followed it up with a nailbiting Cup win on penalties.
“Not to be outdone, the following weekend their Saturday colleagues, the U14 Rockets, in contrast, one of the original Willow teams from 2015 – repeated the feat, again needing spot kicks to settle the match. Huge congratulations to both!”
Eagles captain Dom Stephenson told Gedling Eye that “It was an amazing feeling winning both the league and the cup. I think the team got stronger as the season went on and we fully deserved to win both! Big thanks to all the players and coaches. A real team effort!”
Eagles manager Glenn Akerman added that “It’s a fantastic experience to take part in any cup final so to run out winners was amazing, especially having also won the division 1 title three weeks earlier to make it a league and cup double!
“It was a very proud moment, even more so when I heard after the match that it was Willow Wanderers FC’s first ever cup final win in the club’s history!”
Rockets keeper Jayden Blackburn said “Just so pleased I could help the boys when needed. They were tip top all game and never gave up. Shout out to all the lads who scored a penalty at the end not missing one really put the pressure on our opponents and made my job easier. Go Rockets!”
Rockets manager Richard Chadwick added “What a journey and a brilliant day to round off a brilliant cup run. To beat two teams from the division above including in the final and having to show the grit and determination to come from behind not once, not twice, not three times but four times and win on penalties is a huge credit to the boys and their never say die determination.
“I am so proud as a parent and so proud as a coach of this team. An amazing way to end the season!”
Club Secretary, Neil told us about the club ethos behind the success of a club that now has over 200 kids on their books – “What we look for is effort. If the kids have given us 100% but it just hasn’t worked for them for some reason, that’s good enough.
“It means they are invested in the game, in their team. It means they have the will to do well. It means they aren’t prepared to allow the game to pass them by without a fight. It means that no matter what their natural level of ability, they believe they can make a difference. What better lesson is there to learn to help them succeed in life?”
The Willow ethos, Neil continues, also extends to making sure that everyone who comes to football enjoys the experience. “We want all players, coaches, supporters and officials to look forward to their games against our teams, knowing they’ll be played in the right spirit and that they’ll be made to feel welcome when they come to le Willows.”
Further information can be found on the Willow Wanderer’s facebook page HERE and If you have a child interested in joining Willow Wanderers, contact enquiries@willowwanderers.co.uk for more information.
