Fry Club History & Ethos

There are twelve teams playing under the Fry Club banner. Their ages range from Under 5's to the Under 16's and this amounts to some 200 boys and girls actively participating. In 2003/4 the newly formed girls U12's team won their league title.

 

The Club was founded in 1968 by Les Stroud and a few other dads whose children had become bored watching them play! They started out as Keynsham Wanderers then became Somerdale Wanderers in 1976.  In 1998 Fry Club asked us to become Fry Club Colts and to have links to the six senior teams. More on the History of the Club can be found in Club History.

 

The Club's stated aims are:

 

1.                   To promote junior football in the community and the schools

2.                   To run as many successful youth teams as resources allow

3.                   To provide the opportunity for young persons to take part and enjoy a   team sport. Continuously developing and improving their football skills, physical well being and personal development.

4.                                    To provide and seek facilities to achieve the aims of the club

 

The emphasis not just on football skills but on physical well being and personal development.

The Fry Club achieved the FA Charter Standard in 2005 and ‘to win at all costs’ is most definitely not part of the FA ethos! Officials attended a special presentation ceremony in 2006 and more information and photos can be found in the archive section or by clicking here.

Part of this process means that that the club has set procedures for dealing with incidents and accidents at training or matches. In addition a Child Protection Officer position has been created to co-ordinate matters arising as Managers and Assistant Managers have a responsibility to pass on any concerns they may have about a child in their ‘care’. 

The Club wishes to actively encourage parents to display an interest in their childs’ involvement with the team. Parents are encouraged to visit the FA Website and complete the Soccer Parent Test which can be found via the ‘Grass Roots’ section or go direct by clicking here. Have fun. You can even (if you pass) print out a Certificate of Achievement!

 

Since 1995 the club have held an annual 6's tournament and it is held on the 2nd Bank Holiday week end in May.

 

Following the 2003 AGM the Club appointed a Life President and honorary life members in recognition of their contribution to the success of the club.  Since then more have been added.  They are Les Stroud, Mike Richards, Craig Buxton, Bernie Grimes, Pete Hancock, Joyce Stone and Terry Field.  In 2007 we also created the Honoured Past Members, as a way of recognising those who made major contibutions to our Club, but who are sadly no longer with us.  Cliff Evans & George Hacker are in that group.

 

2005-6 Season saw the formation of a Ladies Team who played in the Gloucester County Womens League. Whilst not technically a Junior side, the emergence was much to do with the very successful Girls Section over the previous two seasons. Unfortunately the Ladies team was not able to continue past its first season. When the Ladies Team joined up with the Adult Senior Section a progressive path was formed and it is hoped that this will be resurrected in coming seasons.

 

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best possible facilities, coaching and care to the children of Fry Club Juniors, we were awarded our Charter Standard Club Status on November 23rd 2005.  The FA Charter Standard Programme provides a recognition that clubs are well run, sustainable, with child protection and safety paramount. It also recognises the club’s commitment to coaching, player and coach development, and the raising of standards of behaviour in the game, all of which are big priorities for The FA.  The Football Association Charter for Quality recommends that the player is central to all developmental needs and aspirations. The Football Association Charter Standard Clubs Scheme encapsulates this philosophy by assisting clubs to provide quality experiences for all players.
 
For Fry Club Juniors however, CS Club Status is just the first stage in improving our Club and trying to attain the highest level of FA recognition, the Charter Standard Community Club Status.  The next stage for us in this evolution was to attain the Charter Standard Development Club Status.  As part of that, we first had to re-affirm our CS Club Status (something every Charter Standard Club has to do on a three year basis).  This was awarded to us on August 13th 2007 and confirms that we are committed to the best possible football environment for your children.  Our Charter Standard Development Club status was subsequently awarded on September 1st 2007 and is an achievement that we at the Club are all proud of.