The story of Hangleton Rangers under 9s – Proudly sponsored by Trustco PLC.

Trustco PLC are proud ❤ sponsors and supporters of Hangleton Rangers FC Under 9s Youth Team.

Here is a short story of their first ever victory on the pitch:

“A brisk sunny morning at The Rookery, a number of 3g football pitches behind where Lewes FC play at the Dripping Pan. The coaches setting up in a quiet, almost sombre mood, perhaps reflecting the passing of HRH, but maybe better described as apprehensive. 

Hangleton Rangers Under 9s, didn’t exist 7 weeks prior to the match that was about to be played. The team, although part of Hangleton Rangers Youth Football Club, had no training equipment. Not a ball, a bib or even a manager or coaches. There were boys eligible to play training with the club but no actual team. Many of them weren’t able to get into other teams because they were full, or parents had no connections to the team or area of the clubs in question.  

The manager, Adam, himself a former non-league player, had moved to Hangleton after the pandemic and wanted his son to play for a local team. Indeed, his son had already played for another team in Denton and just wanted to play football. The phone calls and Facebook messages began. Contact was made with quite a few teams; tournaments were being played but the season was over. Then, a chance Facebook message to Geoff Hunt, Chairman of Hangleton Rangers, opened the door of possibility. He said “I’m starting up the Under 9s again, Covid and lockdown closed the team down, I just need a manager, coaches and more players”

The die was cast, training began, the diverse group of boys were brought together. Some of them knew each other from school, various clubs, some were neighbours and some turned up not knowing anyone. The manager found new coaches who were keen and wanted to coach the sessions but also create a sense of community and belonging amongst the players parents and carers. As they started to mingle at training sessions, a WhatsApp group and an app called Heja were used to ensure attendance and open communication. Friendly matches were organised, even though there was still no kit to play in, balls and training equipment were donated by other coaches at Hangleton Rangers and we were made to feel welcome.  

The first few friendly matches were heavy defeats. That said, the players showed great spirit, will and desire but lacked the know how and what was expected of them. The physicality of the game also came as a shock to the system for some of the players that they had not expected. 

Four friendly matches were played before the season began, with training each Saturday. Slowly, but surely, passing became crisper, movement became more assured and goalkeepers began to find their voices. A couple of training camps, organised by Hangleton Rangers, also helped the players with ball mastery techniques. The first game approached, and after the defeats before the season started left the coaching staff wondering if they had done a good enough job of preparing the players for the first match. A draw looked like a win at this point.

Lewes Juniors, affiliated with the Lewes FC, were the first opponents. The coaches got to the ground early, ready to set up. Kits, thanks to our sponsor TrustCo PLC had been handed out and thanks to NSK BHA for sponsoring the sleeve they even had enough over to purchase a subs bench.

Team talks given, warm up done, tactical instructions handed out. In their brand-new kits of Black and White stripes the boys ran out to take the kick off. Following a very nervy start, several chances were quickly created but were equally snatched at. They were probably thinking they may not get another chance. As quick as a flash, the first quarter was over, 0-0. They came running back to the subs bench and the manager had a quick chat about mistakes the opposition were making. The boys all agreed that they saw the same mistakes. The boys ran out again but this time with more of a swagger.

Then in a flash, it seems, the game was over. 1-7. The away team, Hangleton Rangers Under 9s, had won their first ever competitive game. 7 weeks before, only the managers son had played in an organised league. Now they had won the first match and won it well. It was not just the players though, the parents/carers, the Club and the coaches had all worked towards the same goal. Creating a team that played football, and that the kids enjoyed playing. Truth be told, the players enjoyed winning, the players even didn’t mind losing, they just love playing football.”