Spectacular season for Earl Marshall Juniors

Story: Mick Ashman

Next year Earl Marshall Juniors will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary and, for the first time, it will have two teams competing in Division A, the top Division in the Sheffield and District Junior League, after the both Under 12s and Under 11s secured promotion.

The local Pitsmoor and Burngreave-based football club celebrated a fantastic season of football success at their annual presentation night on 18th May. Two days later, the teams, coaches and supporters attended the League’s prestigious awards event at Barnsley Metrodome to receive their medals and trophies.

A sequence of impressive performances culminated in an emphatic 4-1 victory in their final game against fellow promotion hopefuls Wisewood. It was enough to see the Under 12s finish as Division B runners-up. After the game, manager Saidi Msigiti was full of praise for his squad, “They have shown a fantastic team spirit and every player has made a contribution to this success. Most of the boys have been with the Club since they were Under 7s and I am so proud of what they have achieved.”

The Under 11s not only secured promotion to Division A but also finished as Division B Champions. They had a slow start to the season but, during November and December, they picked up 18 points out of a possible 21, ensuring that, at the half-way stage, they were firmly in contention for a top three finish. Manager Garfield Walters knew it would be a tough season, “Our first game of 2013 was a frustrating 2-1 defeat away to Ecclesall Rangers,” he said. “We were the better side on the day and it was a setback to lose narrowly to another team chasing promotion.”

Thankfully his team got back to their winning ways and another sequence of victories ensured they were top of the table with just one match remaining. In their final game, a win would have secured the title but it was a difficult game played in very windy conditions and they suffered a narrow defeat. The result meant that the Under11s fate was in the hands of other teams. As it turned out, the scores on the final day of the season went in their favour and they held on to their 2 point lead to claim the title.

Earl Marshall Under 10s are now in their third season together and have continued to progress, enjoying an excellent season. “The coaching team is immensely proud of what we have achieved,” said Tony Herrington. “The top two teams in our division, Brampton Rovers and Chesterfield Town, were finalists in the Cup and so to finish fourth in what has been a very competitive league is a credit to the boys.” Next season, as Under 11s, they will be playing 9 a side football on a bigger pitch but Tony is in no doubt they are ready for the challenge.

All three teams will be holding their trials for new players in early June, with the first of these taking place on the lower pitches at Parkwood Springs (off Shirecliffe Road ) at 11am on Sunday 2nd June.

If you would like more information on Earl Marshall Juniors – a football club that is proud to reflect the diversity of our local community – then please contact Shane Bramhall 0781 855 1110 (for Under 11s) or Mick Ashman on 07843 731 430 (for Under 12s and Under 13s).