Holker Under 18 Pen Pics
Find below the pen pics for
the Holker Under 18 squad 06/07. The vast majority of this team have developed through Holker juniors with a couple coming
through the ranks of Furness Rovers. Team Photo in Senior Teams.
All this squad are currently playing
senior football for Holker, with the exception of Jon McMenemy, who, whilst signed for Holker, is currently in the BAE Systems
squad.
The heart of this side has already
played at & won at LFA HQ Leyland as part of the BDJFL Under 14 side that lifted the Inter League trophy in 2003 (Stephens,
Smith, Bamber, Livingstone, Low)
Sam Stephens – Goal keeper
– joined Holker as a 14 year old and is a regular in the Holker First Team. He has great hands, deals with cross and
is an excellent shot stopper. He has the natural ability to play this game at a higher level and has really impressed this
season; his two saves in the Quarter Final tie with Morecambe were outstanding and his performances this season in the NWCFL
have been excellent when you consider his age. At what level Sam ends up playing is really up to Sam.
Peter Brewerton – Defender
– has been at Holker since he was 10, he is a solid defender who is dependable Peter is playing senior football for
Holker and still has another year left at this level. Gets great support from Dad Andy who is also one of the growing band
who support Holker and Barrow FC.
Phil Morris – Defender /
Midfield – was at Holker up until his final year as an U-16 and has returned to the club via Dalton Utd. Phil is a quality
player with a great left foot and has played his way into Holker’s first team since returning to the club, can play
anywhere down the left.
David Robinson – Defender
– came to Holker from Furness Rovers juniors and is as good a tackler & reader of the game as you’ll expect
to see. He has played First Team football this season & his last ditch tackles have got Holker, both first and Under 18’s,
out of tight situations on more than one occasion.
Jonathan McMenemy – Defender
–has played regular for Holker juniors in between his spells at Carlisle and Blackpool. Jon is an excellent central
defender, who whilst signed for Holker is currently plying his trade for BAE Systems first team. Jon is a talented sportsman
who also plays cricket to county standard. Jon also has another year left at this level.
Mark Daly – Defender / Midfield
– What can you say about Mark, he is an absolutely quality footballer who when Holker played Morecambe FC in the Lancashire
Cup, got plenty of accolades from the opponents. Spent most of his junior years at Preston NE, but joined Holker from Furness
Rovers in 2005, he soon became a regular in the First Team and was NWCFL Player of the Month in Feb. 06, not bad for a 16
year old. There is no doubt Mark is a top footballer, but an even better cricketer and is currently waiting for a trial session
with Somerset to be confirmed.
Gareth Smith – Defender /
Midfield – is a pocket dynamo with a quality left foot and has been at Holker since an Under 12. His work rate is excellent
and his ability to pass & overlap set him out on his day. But what really makes Gareth a threat is his powdered keg of
a left foot; he has powered home many a thunderbolt from distance, including a memorable 40-yard drive at LFA HQ Leyland in
the BDJLF Under 14 Inter-League winning side. A regular in Holker’s First Team he is also a county standard cricketer
who will be missing from the First Team over the next few weeks as he is on trials for Lancashire CC U-19 squad.
Tod Bamber – Captain –
Midfield – is a powerful midfield player who stands over 6 foot 2 & can dribble at pace, play off both feet, an
excellent passer and scores his fair share of goals. Tod has been the catalyst for this squad of players since he arrived
at the club as a 10 year old and has been in the First Team squad for three years. On his day he can destroy teams. Another
who will miss the next few weeks on Lancashire CC U-19 trials.
Robert Grainey – Midfield
–has been at the club since he was 10 and is now a big strong lad who has good tight control and can pass the ball around,
a regular in the Holker Reserves set up he is looking to take the next step up and push for a First Team berth, is another
who will be available for the Under 18s next year.
Jordan Nicholson – Midfield
–(Goose to everybody) is a slightly built lad who has really developed this year into a competent player who can play
the simple pass (a god send at times) and has an eye for goal. Jordan has been a regular in the Holker third team this year,
and is now pushing for Reserve team selection. Another county standard cricketer in the summer months.
Callum Livingstone – Forward
– is another who plays regular First Team football, currently plying his trade on the right hand side of midfield in
the NWCFL. Has always been a regular goal scorer and comes alive in & around the penalty area, always seems to get the
vital goal just when it matters, has been at the club since a 10 year old. Forms a formidable partnership with Chris Low.
Another who has already scored at LFA HQ.
Chris Low – Forward –
When he is on song there is not a better left footed forward about, he has pace, can swerve & can finish from any were,
usually from around 12 yards out. Chris has had a stop start type of season with injures and illness, but has played regular
in the First team. In junior football he was a prolific scorer who attracted the attention of a number of Clubs. Chris also
scored at LFA HQ (the three scorers for the winning BDJFL side that night were all Holker players) and so the heart of this
side have experience of winning there.
Jordan Fullard – Forward
– came up from our Under 16 last season and has played regular this season in Holker’s third team. He is a lively
forward who has done well when he has come on for this side. Another who’ll be involved at this level next year.
James Ryan – Defender –
has been at the club since he was 11 years old and is another who moved up last year and is playing this year in Holker’s
third team. Wide players find it difficult to get past him and he is another who has coped well in the Under 18s this season.
Luke Willacy – Forward –
is a great kid with a big smile who is another who has come up out of our Under 16s this year. He has developed as the season
has gone on and whenever Luke is on the park he’ll work hard for the cause and never lets the side down.
Stephen Forbes – Forward
– Forbsey – the rogue of the squad who on his day can bag a hat full of goals. Joined Holker from Furness Rovers
as an Under 16 and is currently part of the Holker third team set up. Steve is an important part of the setup; just as much
in the dressing room as with his contributions on the park.
Thomas Howlett – Forward
– Another young player who moved up from Holker’s Under 16’s. Tom has pace to burn, which can frighten the
life out of full backs. Another who is part of the Holker third team and is developing very nicely at the moment.
Managers
Mark Bamber – has been involved
with this set of lads since they were 10 years old, he has supported a number of other coaches but since the Under-14s has
played a role with Dave & Mark. The contribution that Mark has made to these lads can not be under estimated.
Dave Smith – Ex BAE Reserves
manager and current Holker First Team Assistant Manager, Dave has played a key role over the past few years in pulling the
team together. A key learning exercise for this group of lads was playing last year in the North West Under 18 league where
Dave & Mark Bamber (with the support of Gary Penny) took them all over the
North West of a Sunday, the experience set the lads up well for this years Open age & Under 18 challenges.
Mark Hetherington – UEFA
B Coach, the best coach in the area by far, his record with this side and previous sides is exemplary, but what sets Mark
aside is how well he communicates and looks after the young lads as they grow. This group of players respond to Mark &
have the collective ability to put his game plans into play.
