SECRETARY
CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN
TREASURER
Mr S Smith
01260 278538
Mr A G Lewis
07793 425755
Mr J Parr
01260 276776
Mr P Proudman
01260 274351
CHAIRMANS REPORT 2013
Introduction
2013 was another successful year for Vale Juniors both from a playing point
of view, and from an administrative one. This report aims to summarise the
events of 2012, and to look forward to 2013 which will be year of change for
the club.
Five years ago when I took over as Chairman of Vale Juniors, we set an
ambitious aim to make Vale Juniors a truly mixed club. I believe that this was
achieved in 2013 with five age groups picking up most of the club’s awards in
the year. This is a fantastic achievement and sets Vale Juniors apart from
most clubs in Cheshire and the North West of England.
We enter 2013 with sixteen different squads, the most that Vale Juniors has
ever seen.
Club Finances
As mentioned above, we now have the club on a sound financial footing. It
terms of subscription prices Vale Juniors is one of the cheapest football clubs
in Mid Cheshire to join and play for. We decided some weeks ago to maintain
the same subscription levels for 2013. Having focused our external coaching
on the younger age groups and ‘Mini Strikers’ we now have control of one of
the most significant areas of club spend. We also achieved a major FA
Football Foundation Grant in 2012 which will make a difference in terms of
providing kit for our younger teams.
It is our aim to register Vale Juniors as a Community Amateur Sports Club
(CASC) in 2013, something that will give the club greater tax advantages as
well as greater access to charity funding.
Club Events
Club events remain memorable, with the annual presentation nights a
highlight. These are still exceptional events, and the tradition and format of
our presentation nights should be maintained. They are special events that
create wonderful memories for our players, and with a revised (and shorter
format) we were able to make the nights a more manageable experience for
our younger players (and impatient adults!).
SECRETARY
CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN
TREASURER
Mr S Smith
01260 278538
Mr A G Lewis
07793 425755
Mr J Parr
01260 276776
Mr P Proudman
01260 274351
In 2012 we, once again, took part in the Stoke City Adopt A fixture and also
‘Play on the Pitch’. We have created strong relationships now with Stoke City
and have already identified a third Adopt A Fixture in 2013/14. The club is all
about providing special experiences and memories for our players and
through our relationship with Stoke City we go some way to achieve this
objective. It is important to point out that Vale Juniors is also now an important
partner for Stoke City and their community programme.
Other Club Developments
In 2012 we kicked off a new partnership with DP Sports in Congleton. The
teams using the DP Sports kit looked terrific and the modernisation of our
colours, whilst greeted with mixed reactions, has generally gone down well. It
is also important that Vale Juniors is supporting a thriving local business and
keeping the revenue in the town.
Probably the most important development in 2012 was our relocation to Eaton
Bank. Whilst we suffered the inevitable teething issues, by and large the
facilities are already considerably better (and safer) than those at Back Lane.
The indoor winter training is a temporary measure but something that has
enabled most of our teams to train in Congleton, as opposed to having to go
further afield. We were excited to see the Eaton Bank sports development
proposals and pleased to be at the centre of the planning for what look like
terrific facilities that will match the Vale Juniors ambition.
Conclusion
2013 has been my last year as Chairman of Vale Juniors. I am stepping
down after five years given my other commitments with Congleton Cricket
Club. Over the past five years we have:



Introduced significant change within Vale Juniors. We have introduced the
Direct Debit scheme which has put the club into a stable financial position
and stopped our managers having to collect subs in Tupperware boxes!
Established an ongoing grant from the Football Foundation worth
ultimately around £5,000 per year
We have moved the club from Back Lane, where the facilities were
becoming increasingly unsuitable for children to play football to Eaton
Bank which has the potential to be a 21st century venue the club for many
years to come.


SECRETARY
CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN
TREASURER
Mr S Smith
01260 278538
Mr A G Lewis
07793 425755
Mr J Parr
01260 276776
Mr P Proudman
01260 274351
Grown the girls side of the club to be the envy of the region and introduced
the Mini Strikers which ensures the future of the club by providing us with
a new intake of under 7s on an annual basis.
Developed a relationship with Coever Coaching, whilst despite being
controversial with some, has instilled skills, discipline and huge promise in
our youngest players, many of which have gone on to play for the region’s
academy clubs.
I would like to put on record my thanks to the team who have supported me in
running the club; Steve Smith, Pete Proudman and Mike Evans, alongside the
Managers and helpers who invest their passion, time and experience. I have
made some great friends with Vale Juniors, something that I have in common
with the hundreds of young players that have stepped out on Saturdays and
Sundays in the Black and White stripes. We can also be enormously proud of
our parents and our players who demonstrate every day the values and spirit
of Vale Juniors. I would also like to thank our President Doug Parker, a man
with tremendous energy and great contacts.
Mostly, I would like to wish Vale Juniors every success for the future. Vale
Juniors is a hugely important institution for Congleton and its young people.
The phrase ‘where friends are made’ is the club’s tagline and never could a
phrase be more appropriate.
I would also like to wish the incoming Chair every success as he takes the
club on from the position it is now in.
Alex Lewis
Chairman, Vale Juniors FC (Congleton)
SECRETARY
CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN
TREASURER
Mr S Smith
01260 278538
Mr A G Lewis
07793 425755
Mr J Parr
01260 276776
Mr P Proudman
01260 274351
SECRETARYS REPORT 2013
As I enter my final year as Secretary of Vale Juniors, I have taken some time
to reflect on the changes that have taken place, not just in the my time as
Secretary but since I initially became involved with Vale Juniors as a manager
15 years ago.
Probably the most striking would be the number of teams that we have now,
through mini soccer, 11-a-side and of course the girls. This coming season we
will have more teams than we have ever had before, and a full compliment at
all ages for the first time in a few years. At a time when we are under pressure
from other teams in the town, and the availability of other social activities this
proves that Vale Juniors still command a huge amount of respect in
Congleton and continue to operate the club in the correct manner.
In order to function at the level we do doesn’t just happen, and it is down to
the hard work and commitment of everyone involved that such a large number
of boys and girls are able to play football in an enjoyable and safe
environment.
Each season there are challenges to overcome, some new and some ongoing
such as pitch availability and winter training facilities. Although we have had a
few teething issues with space at Eaton Bank I truly believe that in future
years Vale Juniors will really reap the benefit of this move, and many of our
annual problems will finally be resolved.
Other initiatives such as annual subscriptions, signing on nights and adopt a
fixture at Stoke City have all been positive recent additions to the operation of
the Club, and it is more of this kind of activity that we are looking for in the
future.
Finally I would just like to thank everyone for their help and assistance during
the course of last season and record my particular thanks to Alex Lewis as he
steps down from the Chairman’s role. It has been a pleasure to work
alongside him and it is largely down to his drive and enthusiasm that Vale
Juniors finds itself in such a strong position today.
Good luck for next season, both on and off the pitch!
Steve Smith
Secretary Vale Juniors(Congleton) F.C