THE F.C SPARTAN WAY
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

1. Everyone plays, not just the strongest. F.C Spartans prefer intelligent players with a feel for the ball,who understand how to maintain possession. Players are selected according to their behaviour both on and off the pitch. Making an effort is also important.
   
2. Everyone has the same right to play, regardless of physique and ability. Matches highlight players skills and allow them to gain tactical experience gradually.
   
3. All players touch the ball. F.C Spartans coaches encourage short passes and dribbling runs. The goalkeeper is encouraged to roll the ball to the defence in the attack building phase.
    
4. F.C Spartans encourage that the ball is advanced from defence to midfield, with our game based on communication and cooperation. The point of attack is changed frequently, with an eye toward creating spaces for penetration.
   
5. F.C Spartans aim is to improve the performance of each player and of the team as a whole. Players rely on their own perception and judgement to decide what their next move will be, rather than our coaches deciding for them.
   
6. F.C Spartan players are taught the values of sportsmanship, honesty,respect for rules and loyalty to the team.
   
7. F.C Spartans players are encouraged to introduce their flair,skill and imagination. Everyone plays, regardless of ability.
   
8. F.C Spartans believe that in the interest of learning the complex game of football more efficiently, training and competition is adapted to players physical and interllectual abilities at each stage of their growth. Fun and self esteem are guaranteed.
   
9. F.C Spartans believe exposure to a variety of training methods, that our players gain coordination and the ability to play under different game conditions.
   
10. F.C Spartans believe that in the interest of understanding the game and making fewer mistakes, training emphasizes the discovery of skills and capacities in simplified games.
    
    
    Below is a match report from a  game involving our U8s (2008), the club our proud to see our player development programme  showing fruition at such a young age and compliment the opposition on a great and honest match report which is very rare.
    
    AC Hoylake Meteors 0 v 4 FC Spartans
    The Meteors were back at Leasowe to take on FC Spartans this week, with the morning turning out to be bright and sunny, but after the torrential rain in midweek the pitch was exceptionally heavy. The boys were down to the bare 7 this week after a few call off’s with injury and the birthday of Callum Armbruster (happy birthday Callum) reducing our options. The game kicked off with us in a 2-2-2 formation that has worked well in the past for us and it seemed to be doing the trick again as we went on the offensive early on. Our promising start almost brought about the first goal with Fraser Ridgway and then Adam Williams going close. However as the game settled down we found ourselves up against a technically very good Spartans (No there wasn’t 300 of them) side, who moved the ball well and tried to build the play from the back, with their goalkeeper being urged to throw the ball to his defenders. However when the did break forward they found it tough to get past the hard tackling Michael Cowley and the impressive Callum Harrison, who was filling in as a defender. We were starting to get pinned back although Ryan Sides was proving to be everywhere to stop and start attacks for us. Our opponents managed to win a few corners and started to put us under great pressure which Lewis Burrows was dealing with admirably, however even Lewis could not stop the first goal going in. We lost possession of the ball on our right and our opponents broke forward and sent in a good deep cross which went beyond everyone, the danger looked to have passed but we were a little slow to shut down the winger who clipped a lovely shot into the far top corner. So 1-0 down we went looking for the equaliser and were caught again by a good move and an almost carbon copy of the first goal.
    So 2-0 down at half time we asked the lads to keep doing what they were doing as we were competing well with a very good side and although they passed the ball better we were not out of it completely. The second half started with Jack Edmondson really coming to life with some good tackling and running with the ball, Adam and Fraser were coming a little deeper to help out our midfield and this nearly paid off twice as firstly Adam and Fraser were released but with almost a full half of the pitch to cover we were unlucky not to score as the defenders got back both times to make great tackles. It was just after this that we conceded again with a long short skidding off the mud and past the unfortunate Lewis. This third goal really gave our opponents confidence and they could have scored a few more if it wasn’t for Lewis in goals pulling off some great saves and coming off his line well. It looked like finishing 3-0 but our opponents saved the best goal till last playing 5 or 6 nice passes before their midfield playmaker sent a fantastic cross field pass to our back post where the striker coolly slotted home. Personally I think the boys can take great credit from the match as we competed throughout and defended well against a very very good team. Every week we seem to get a little better and more confident and it is pleasing to see, although results are going against us the attitude and commitment of the lads has been first class and I am sure it is this that will serve us well in the second half of the season. Two special mentions this week to Lewis Burrows who was given MoM by our opponents and Ryan Sides for the way he ran himself into the ground to receive our MoM this week.