LRCFC UNDER 19s
We represent LRCFC in the U19’s ‘A’ division of the West Lothian Youth football Leagues. We are a true Linlithgow
team, shown by the fact that only two of our squad of 19 players don’t live in Linlithgow and the surrounding area. All
but two (not the same two) started their football with the club which has resulted in players being with the club for an
average of over 8 years and ten of the players have over 10 years service! We train twice a week in the town and play
our games at the Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoons.
The coaches - myself, Andrew Barber and Graham McCall - all have sons in the squad and much like most youth
coaches, got into coaching to give a platform for our sons and their friends to play and have now accumulated over
20 years coaching experience between us.
Our footballing philosophy can probably be summed up with some of the following famous football quotes;
“Football is a simple game with only two scenarios. As a team either you have the ball or you don’t.” “If God had meant
football to be played in the air, he’d have put grass in the sky.” “Football is a game played with the brain.” “The game
is about glory, doing things in style.” As coaches we’re well aware that the most important people in the game are the
players and we continually let the players know that there is NOTHING better than playing.
Team and Player Achievements
Whilst our team has improved and progressed year on year, we have not yet been able to capture our first competition
win. We have had significant player achievements through the years such as; A major contribution to the Lothian
schools cup win earlier this year by Linlithgow Academy, several players who have had experience with professional
and junior clubs, success in the national schools 6-a-side tournament and players who have represented district,
regional and Scottish Independent Schools teams.
As we near the end of the season, when it’ll be the end of a journey with the youth side of the club for many of our
players since Under 19s is the oldest age group in West Lothian, it’ll mean a change of club for some. It’s always
difficult to predict the level where you think players will end up, as many aspects of life can change, but given the
ability levels within the group it would be disappointing if at least a handful weren’t playing at the very top end of
Amateur football or being paid for the privilege.
This season
We have had a decent first half of the season with good wins in the league against some of our main rivals along with
a couple of disappointing performances but remain the only unbeaten team. We have the league and a couple of cups
still to play for but, as with most sports, it’s not how you start but how you finish. We’ve already have one achievement
this season when we managed to win our first penalty shoot-out. Ever. Over the years we’ve contrived to lose five or
six in any manner of ways, even once managing to break the goalkeeper’s wrist as he made the winning save in sudden
death! As a group we’ll certainly be doing all we can to have a strong finish to the season and maybe we can match
the league performance of LRFC last year, and hopefully this.
You can keep up to date with our progress on the team page of the club website at
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/linlithgowrosecommunityfootballclub/264988/Home
Yours in football and HTG.
John Adams – Coach LRCFC U19s