Fry Club JFC would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and remember, stop believing the false hope that "if it’s meant to be” it will happen. If that were true, everyone would be content, wealthy, fit and have great relationships. You must plan, act, persevere, know your value and never, ever accept less than you truly deserve. It's not up to chance, it's up to you. 2016 has not been the best year for many, and to those we send our heartfelt hopes that 2017 will bring a better dawn.

Over the past five weeks, there have been many stories in the national media over disclosures of historic child abuse, including one made by Dean Radford when he was at Southampton, an ex-player of our Club seen on the right collecting the U11 Player of the Year award for Somerdale Wanderers (Fry Club Colts) in 1982. We at Fry Club like all Clubs, are horrified by these revelations and wish to assure everyone that safeguarding is a top priority. The FA have released a video where England leaders explain 4 steps to safeguarding. It is also included at the bottom of this article. We cannot and will not be complacent. Despite the fact that the safeguarding landscape has changed significantly in recent years, we must ensure we all treat the topic with the utmost care. The FA works collaboratively on prevention and investigations with the Premier League, the EFL and County FAs, along with other football stakeholders. The FA has a team of safeguarding professionals who put in place preventative measures via policy, education, best practice and support for the network of people acting as Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs). As a grassroots club we can also seek advice and guidance directly from our CFA DSO. In addition their specialist Case Management Team comprised of safeguarding professionals manage referrals and concerns, working closely with the statutory agencies in relation to investigations and put in place safeguards to manage people who pose, or may pose a risk of harm. This framework sees 8,500 DSOs across the professional and grassroots game and carries out some 55,000 criminal records checks each season. 35,000 coaches and referees also attend The FA’s safeguarding awareness course each season and every Club like ours also implements its own safeguarding policy. Via a specific helpline The FA have commissioned the NSPCC to provide to help encourage more people to come forward. The number is 0800 023 2642. Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult towards a child or young person under 18 years of age in football, is required to refer it to The FA Safeguarding team. The team is staffed by professionals who are experienced in dealing with these concerns. Referring a concern can be done via your Club, League or County FA – all will have a designated safeguarding officer (DSO). Alternatively, you can email The FA directly via safeguarding@thefa.com. If the matter is urgent and you cannot contact your Club or County FA designated safeguarding officer, you can call The NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000, Childline on 0800 1111 – or if it is an emergency because a child or children are at immediate risk, then call the police or children’s social care in your area. For our Club, you can contact your Child Welfare Officer via the e-mail link, by telephone on 07710 881441, or in person around the Club, his name is Andrew Glover and his photo is on the right. We also have our own Club Child Protection Policy which can be downloaded via this link or by clicking the image on the right. Remember, we must all be vigilant, as no one is ever totally safe.

The original House Point Shield has been found!  For those of you who joined after 1993, this will be lost on you, but before those days from 1975 onwards, every player in Somerdale Wanderers (Frys before the name change), was assigned to a House; England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales.  At every social occasion, training and match, the Managers could assign up to five points, sometimes one point to five different players, but five points to one player was known to happen.  At the Presentation, the House Captain received the Shield on behalf of his House, and every player in the House received a medal.  Sadly rising costs and numbers meant that the 1992/93 season was the last time that they were presented. For the full list of Winning Houses click the link (sadly records for 1988-91 were not kept), and to the right is the Shield. In the photo below are some winners from 1984, with a particularly handsome young man at the back in the burgundy who went on to Captain the winning house in 1987.  I wonder whatever happened to him.....

Many players today have no real notion of Armistice Day.  It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, back in 1918.  These days it is marked by a two minute silence at 11:00am on the nearest Sunday, or for sports people, usually a minute's silence before their game. The members of Fry Club JFC are no different, as players and spectators across the age groups marked the moment with a minute of impeccable silence. For more information visit the British Legion Website.

On Saturday 10th September 2016, the first ever Youth Council met.  Organised by the U12 Colts' Manager, Andy Edwards, the ideals behind this are underpinned by the desire for more engagement from the Players within the Club, and to give the Players more ownership over the direction that the Club takes.  Two players from each of the teams were nominated.  These meetings will be held regularly throughout the year, with feedback given directly to the Club Management Committee.  Find out more on the Youth Council page where you can also download the first Newsletter.

Ex-Fry Club JFC player Aaron Sutton is having a great career in the boxing world, and has now branched out into promoting the show!  Tonight at the UWE Exhibition & Conference Centre, Aaron will host a series of short boxing bouts (including his own), all in the name of charity.  Aaron joined Frys as an U6 in 2002 playing for the Colts team, and although had a brief spell with AEK Boco returned to the Club and went on to win many awards, leading the U18's to the League & Cup double in 2015 and and as an U18 Aaron won his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award. For more on Aaron and his Boxing Career click on his Boxing & Kickboxing Page.

Our most recent iteration of the U18 boys have gotten off to a great start, and we look back at their preparation for the current season when they took on Fry Club 'B' (click for more photos) in a friendly match, with that team containing a certain U13 Colts Manager. The match ended badly for the adult team in terms of the result, and even worse for Ryan, who suffered a bad break to a finger, and we wish him the best as he slowly recovers.  For more on both of the U18's, click on their Team Page.

Fry Club U9's have gone missing, and a clue to their whereabouts can be found in the photo.  They have gone on the run with a group of escaped toys, along with the epitome of 'can you find him'... Wally!  The question is, can you find them all?  For more on the U9's click on their Team Page, where you will also find a download to a full sized version of the clue....

On Saturday 10th September 2016, a few hardy souls assembled at Somerdale Pavilion, making history within the Club.  The first ever "Youth Council" met.  Organised by the U12 Colts' Manager, Andy Edwards, the ideals behind this are underpinned by the desire for more engagement from the Players within the Club, and to give the Players more ownership over the direction that the Club takes.  Two players from each of the teams were nominated.  These meetings will be held regularly throughout the year, with feedback given directly to the Club Management Committee.  This first session got off to a great start, with many good ideas proposed, and hopefully this will lead to a more aware Management Committee leading the Club forward. Going forward it is hoped to have representation from the Youth Council on the Management Committee or a sub-committee, to offer a direct voice.  We hope to publish the ideas from the Youth Council on this website soon, and a dedicated page will also be created.

Our U11's warmed up for their new season with a pre-season local derby match against Keynsham Town, and as the headline suggests, walked away as the best team in Keynsham! It was a narrow win, just the one goal separated the two teams, however Frys were the more dominant team, and can look forward to a promising season in the Bristol Saturday Youth League. A selection of photographs from the match can be viewed by clicking the Keynsham Town link. Our U11's are trailblazers somewhat within the Club by being the first team to enter the Bristol Saturday Youth League. For more on the U11s, click on their Team Page.

Our U12 Colts are now ready for the new season, but looking back to the Summer they reached their second final at Coalpit Heath. Again they were unlucky not to win it, however well done to the team, and two finals bodes well for their future. For more on the U12 Colts, click on their Team Page, and for the U12 Juniors, click on their Team Page.

Fry Club U9's started their preparations for the 2016/17 season with a friendly away to Warmley Rangers.  Seven of the squad were on holiday, so the nine available faced 14 Warmley players over a longer match, seven in the first half, and the other seven in the second. It was great end to end stuff, with a cracking 6-6 score line to end it. To view a selection of photographs from the game, click on the Warmley Rangers link. For more on the U9's, click on their Team Page.

Our youngest team to play matches, the U7's, are moving up to become U8's, and over the Summer they took part in a number of Festival's of Football.  As you can see, receiving medals is great fun! For more on the U8's, click on their Team Page.

Our U16's celebrated their final fun session together by going Paintballing.  Having been with the Club since U6's, and having had many fun times with the Club including Tours and Tobogganing, what better way to end it? The majority of these players have now progressed to form our U18 Team and we wish them well. For more on the U16's and their history with the Club, click on their Team Page.

Our U10's started their Summer in fantastic fashion.  They competed in the Emersons Green Tournament and came away with the Winners medals so congratulations to them.  Our U10's are trailblazers somewhat within the Club by being the first team to enter the Bristol Saturday Youth League. For more on the U10s, click on their Team Page.

James Baker, an ex-Frys player who has moved into the world of eSports has done it again.  Not content with Runner-Up at the 2015 Blizzcon Fall (Autumn) World Championships and 2016 Spring European Champions, the team that he assembled have again qualified for Blizzcon, this time as European Fall Champions.  There are three World Championships per year and the eight regional champions plus the runners-up from China, Europe, Korea, and North America complete the field of 12 at the respective Spring, Summer, and Fall Championships.  James joined Frys as an U6 in 2002 playing for the Colts team.  At U11 his dad Maurice started the Wanderers team assisted by James' older brother Tom, who took over the Manager role at U14.  James received his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award in 2012 as an U15. For more on James and his eSports career, click on his eSports Page. For an interview with James ahead of the 2016 European Fall competition, watch the video below.

Our U11 Colts are really enjoying their Summer.  They travelled all the way to Swindon for the Swindon Supermarine tournament, meeting plenty of new teams along the way. There they reached the final and were unlucky not to win it, however well done to the team. For more on the U11 Colts, click on their Team Page, and for the U11 Juniors, click on their Team Page.

Our U9's are really enjoying their Summer.  As well as travelling all over to visit far flung tournaments and meet new teams, they have only gone and reached a final!  They journeyed all the way to Bishop's Lydeard near Taunton on the southern edges of the Quantock Hills. There they reached the final and were unlucky not to make that final step, however well done to all of the players who made it. For more on the U9's, click on their Team Page.

After a 10 year break, this Bank Holiday Saturday sees the return of the "Parent's Tournament" and for its resumption it is being combined with a large Funday. We have eleven teams from across the age groups split into two groups, looking to see who has the best footballing parents, and whose glory days are long past (mine!). But making it more fun for the children is a mini funfair and lots of entertainment stalls and activities. Entrance to the site is free so please come down and enjoy the fun. Everything starts at midday. To see the previous Parent's Tournament Results, click the link. ##We had a great sunny day and thanks go especially to Jon & Sandra for their hard work. Photos can be found at the Fry Club JFC Funday link.##

Our U16's played their final match as a Youth Team for Frys in the traditional annual Manager's Match on Saturday 21st May.  Every season our eldest 'Youth Team' (not U18's) line up across the pitch from a combination of their parents and the Club Managers for the ferociously contested 'Ron Williams Cup'.  The Managers had retained this trophy for the past four seasons and the U16's had to win the match to take the trophy (a draw sees the holders retain it).  However this is the strongest side Frys have had in a number of years and the Managers were in for a battle. It was keenly contested with the score swinging both ways, however two goals in the last ten minutes saw the U16's triumph 5-3. For photographs of the match click on the Manager's Match link, or for past winners and photos, the Ron Williams Cup link. For more on the U16's, click on their Team Page.

Our U12 Juniors and their Manager Mark Yeoman have now completed their formative years and are now getting prepared to finally move to 11-a-side football as U13's.  Before they do, we look back to earlier this season when they had a great win over Downend Saints.  Click on the Downend Saints Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U12 Juniors, click on their Team Page.

Members of Fry Club's U8's went on Tour over the May Bank Holiday weekend to Torquay.  As well as playing in seven competitive matches, the players also ventured to the Zoo, the Beach and the Swimming Pool.  At the end of it however was the Presentation where every player received a memento of their weekend from Premier League player Dan Gosling, currently plying his trade at AFC Bournemouth. More on the Tour will follow in the coming weeks. For more on the U8's, click on their Team Page.

Three ex-Frys teammates had a great weekend.  Aaron Sutton won another bout as his Boxing career progresses, Ben won the South Coast Junior Men Physique category in Portsmouth and James captained Team Dignitas to Heroes Of The Storm European Summer Champions in Leicester. Aaron joined Frys as an U6 in 2002 playing for the Colts team, and although had a brief spell with AEK Boco returned to the Club and went on to win many awards, leading the U18's to the League & Cup double in 2015 and and as an U18 Aaron won his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award. For more on Aaron and his Boxing Career click on his Boxing & Kickboxing Page. Ben joined Frys in 2003 playing up an age for his Team.  He then moved the Juniors team as an U10 before joining the Colts team as an U15, and as an U16 in 2013 Ben won his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award. For more on Ben and his Bodybuilding Career click on his Bodybuilding & Fitness Page. James joined Frys as an U6 in 2002 playing for the Colts team.  At U11 his dad Maurice started the Wanderers team assisted by James' older brother Tom, who took over the Manager role at U14.  James received his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award in 2012 as an U15. For more on James and his eSports career, click on his eSports Page.

Our U11 Colts are now well into their first season as a 9-a-side team playing on the larger pitches.  Back in November they faced Thornbury Town, which as well as being a great game, also happened to be a game which fell on the Remembrance weekend, and in the true tradition of remembrance and dignity, they held their impeccable two-minute silence to remember the fallen.  Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, in two World Wars and more recent conflicts, are remembered on memorials and through Remembrance services across the nation.  By clicking the link you can view a selection of photographs of the match. For more on the U11 Colts, click on their Team Page.

Our U12 Juniors are happily settling into their rhythm under the stewardship of Mark Yeoman, now approaching the end of their second year.  On a pleasant evening back in September they faced St Nicks with the Frys factory being slowly torn down behind them.  Click on the St Nicks Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U12 Juniors, click on their Team Page.

Our U12 Colts have made it to an Avon Youth League Cup final.  The Colts are in the 'D' Division of the U12 age group, and take part in the 'D to F' "Plate" competition as opposed to the 'A to C' "Cup" competition.  The Colts made their way to the finals via victories over Bristol Central, St Nicholas Green, Brislington Juniors and Clifton Utd.  Now they face Longwell Green Sports on May 15th at Keynsham Town. For more on the U12 Colts, click on their Team Page.

Late last year we headlined a story about James Baker, and ex-Frys player who had moved into the world of eSports.  His Team Dignitas 'Heroes Of The Storm' team had become Runners-Up at the World Finals in Los Angeles after qualifying as Runners-Up at the European Finals in Prague. Well James, and the team that he captains have gone one better at the European stage, winning in Katowice to be crowned 2016 Spring European Champions.  There are three World Championships per year and the eight regional champions plus the runners-up from China, Europe, Korea, and North America complete the field of 12 at the respective Spring, Summer, and Fall Championships.  They are departing this weekend for the Spring World Finals next weekend in Seoul, South Korea and we would like to wish James and Team Dignitas the very best of luck. James joined Frys as an U6 in 2002 playing for the Colts team.  At U11 his dad Maurice started the Wanderers team assisted by James' older brother Tom, who took over the Manager role at U14.  James received his Les Stroud 10 Year Loyalty Award in 2012. For more on James and his eSports career, click on his eSports Page. For a recap of the Spring Championship, watch the video below. #UPDATE# The Korean & Chinese teams dominated in Korea, however Dignitas were still joint 5th in the World!

Probably the most anticipated match in any season for any Frys team is when we face our rivals from across the railway line.  Keynsham Town have long been the most important fixture of the year and with so many players from Frys knowing so many school friends in Keynsham (with both teams usually having ex-players in their ranks), it is no different for the U8's.  Back in October of 2015 they welcomed Keynsham Town to Somerdale Pavilion for a great match in the sun. Click on the Keynsham Town Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U8's, click on their Team Page.

UEFA have confirmed that for the first time, Goal-line technology will be utilised at Euro 2016 in France this coming summer, as well as in the Champions League, although UEFA will also persist with the two extra officials behind the goal in both competitions.  As was reported on the website's of both the BBC and the Guardian, this decision has been agreed against the wishes of suspended President Michel Platini, but with goals denied for Frank Lampard of England verses Germany in World Cup 2010 (in front of Sepp Blatter which changed the minds of FIFA), and for Marko Devic of Ukraine verses England in Euro 2012, the pressure has finally told.  But what constitutes a goal?  It is when the whole of the ball has crossed the line when looking down directly from above.  For clarification look to the pictures to the right.  NONE of them have totally crossed the line, and are all no goals. Then look at the three pictures below, left to right, Lampard, Devic, and finally Pedro Mendes of Tottenham against Man Utd where thankfully we now have goal-line technology and this type of incident is a thing of the past.

Our U11 Colts are now well into their first season as a 9-a-side team playing on the larger pitches.  In the Summer they divided their large squad into the U11 Colts and the U11 Juniors to go from two groups of 7-a-side teams, to form the individual 9-a-side teams, and both teams are progressing well.  Back in October they faced Stoke Lane, and by clicking the link you can view a selection of photographs of the match. For more on the U11 Colts, click on their Team Page.

Our U12 Juniors are firmly established in their second year as an individual team!  They were created thanks to the new FA rules on the player pathway from 5-a-side (U7 & U8) to 7-a-side (U9 & U10) to 9-a-side (U11 & U12) to 11-a-side (U13+), and so at the end of the U10 year their squad split to create two individual teams, with Mark Yeoman taking on Managership.  They have quickly formed a close bond as players, and this year are looking to push on with the progress they made in the first year.  At the start of the season they played Deerswood, and you can click on the Deerswood Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U12 Juniors, click on their Team Page.

Our U8's are having a great time in their second year of playing matches!  Their first season was all about finding their feet, and playing against unknown opposition leading to some unbalanced score lines!  Now into their second season, the opposition have been chosen to give a more balanced match, and as such both Frys and their opposition get more from the games.  Back in September of 2015 they traveled to Imperial Colts for a great match in the sun. Click on the Imperial Colts Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U8's, click on their Team Page.

Our U16's, are into their final 'Youth' year (yes U17's and U18's are still considered youth, but they can play for adult teams as well), and are looking to make this last year their best!  Now in their third year in the first division they are firmly established as one of the best in Bristol and are determined to end it in their highest ever position, and top three is not beyond the realms of possibility.  Towards the end of 2015 they hosted Bitton AFC and our photographer was there. Click on the Bitton AFC Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U16's, click on their Team Page.

Our eldest teams to play matches, the U18's, are continuing to thrive.  The Boys, now in their fifth consecutive year and running alongside our U18 Girls, in their first year, see them continue to evolve.  Towards the end of 2015 they hosted Chipping Sodbury and had a close match just losing out by 3-0. Click on the Chipping Sodbury Photos link to see some of the action. For more on both of the U18's, click on their Team Page.

Our youngest team to play matches, the U7's, are up and running and having a great time.  This is their first year playing matches and they play two games of 40 minutes with their squad split into two teams, each playing one of the games on the day, with the overall result the combination of the two.  Towards the end of 2015 they hosted Coalpit Heath and had a storming match which was enjoyed by all who watched. Click on the Coalpit Photos link to see some of the action. For more on the U7's, click on their Team Page.

With winter well and truly upon us, our thoughts turn to warmer times and the adventure of Going On Tour!  Our U8's and our U9's are heading to Torquay to take part in the SCI Torquay Mitre Ultimatch Cup over the May Day weekend.  Looking back to last Summer and our U16's took themselves to Butlins and came 3rd in the ESF Cup as well as winning the Fair Play Team Award, both of which were presented to the players by ex-Liverpool and England player Danny Murphy.  For more on the U16's, click on their Team Page.

One of Fry's U10 players was lucky enough recently to lead out Southampton for one of their English Premier League matches.  It was held at Selhurst Park and it was the match between Crystal Palace and Southampton.  He was lucky enough to help lead out the team, play a short session with the other mascots on the pitch, have photos with all of the players and the Manager Ronald Koeman, have a behind the scenes tour and finally watch the match from a VIP vantage point.  The only downside to the day was that Southampton lost 1-0.  To see more photos, click on the Southampton Mascot link.  For more on his Frys team, click on their Team Page.