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The Foundation for the Club.

The Academy opened on 6th November 2006. This season the 200th player graduated to a team, a remarkable statistic and one we are all extremely proud of. The Academy goes from strength to strength and at the recent (May 09) round of trials 84% of the boys signed to the teams came through our Academy development programme. We are giving boys, who previously would have had little chance of joining a Club such as ours, a real chance to play in an organized Club environment. They are encouraged to develop their skills under team managers and the benefits are there for everyone to see. Since it opened, this programme has probably enabled 400 kids to join Hampstead FC, in some capacity. It fits alongside our motto perfectly.

The 2008/9 Season review

The entry level boy’s teams came in at U8 this season in the Regents Park League with the new name “Eagles” under Tracy Dowsett and the Under 8 Tigers coached by James Thompson and Doyle Hooper. Both teams did extremely well and although FA rules forbid the publication of League tables I am told by the 7 year old computer wizards that the Eagles won the “League.”

In the Under 9 category Micky Dowsett's boys continued their domination winning the Regents Park League title and bringing the U9 C&I Cup back to Hampstead FC. The Under 9 Tigers, coached by Vincent Casaluci reaped the rewards of “playing up” last season and turned in a fantastic season only disrupted by the weather. New boys, the Under Eagles impressed under Algis Pabarcius with their own American brand of “soccer”.

The Under 10 C & I team led by Andy Histed and Phil Vasili saved the best until last smashing as more goals in the last 5 games as the rest of their season put together, watch this team next season. The Under 10 Hawks under Mike Bartholomaei earned a great deal of respect as they improved their football, and results, as the season rolled on, they completed the season with a runners up slot in the u10 Cup. Equally Jackie Thompson’s energetic band displayed enough confidence to move forward this coming season.

The first Under 10 Hampstead side to enter the Harrow League found the competition too strong in the 1st Division and we all wondered had we gone a step too far as they were relegated at the Xmas break? Not so, Lindsey Horsfield and Ryan McDonald showed some Canadian spirit and the second half of the season produced a championship winning performance to lift the Div 2 cup.

The Under 11 C& I side yet again brushed aside the competition winning the League with a few weeks to spare. Farewell to coach Lawrence Quirke this season and job well done sir! The U11 Harrow side found the step up to 11 a side football difficult and the strength of the Premier Division a real challenge. Coach Tony Young has learned from the tough year and is looking forward to improvements next season.

Vicki Jezierski’s close knit Under 11 side had another excellent season in the Regents Park League finishing 3rd with credit to Richard O’Driscoll her able assistant. David Albert’s huge squad had an up and down year but progress can be seen and the move to the 11 a side Harrow League will improve their football, we watch with interest.

The Under 12 C & I team achieved a wonderful double under Sean McCarthy, whilst Jamie Houghton’s Harrow team held strong until late season, when the lack of depth in their squad showed.

The Under 13 A team ended mid table in an extremely competitive Division of the Harrow League. The U13 B side under Ricky Jones started like a locomotive but fell away as the season progressed. Sean McCarthy’s Under 13 C & I team also had an indifferent season with fluctuating performances and equally fluctuating opposition.

The Under 14 Harrow squad was in severe disarray before the season started and it was touch and go if the side would continue. Under Matt Lewis and Phil Stanway they did, and more, as they played some of the most attractive football of all Hampstead teams, with the promotion race going to the very last game of the season.

The old boys, the Harrow League Under 15’s managed by Phil Vasili and Andy Histed had a remarkable season after losing 2/3 key players before a ball was kicked. Some stunning performances, culminating in the last game where they held the runaway champions with a brand of football they need to produce next season. The Regents Park Under 15’s had a difficult season with attendance sporadic and their play matching. Coach, Justin Berko-Boateng, persevered but not a season to savour.

The Under 10 Girls began their Hampstead careers with an excellent season ending runners up and frightening opposition with their attacking football. Excellent work from coach Stephen Joel.

The Under 11’s often struggled with their squad size but ended the season a respectable mid table. Well done Jeffrey Meyer and Maurice Allen.

Our Chair, Diane Culligan, also runs the Under 12 heroes who also found squad numbers an issue around half term, but put in some dramatic performances as they battled the leagues big teams. A remarkable 1-0 win at powerful Luton caused uproar in the League ranks, including their manager, who quit shortly afterwards!

The Under 13’s managed by Kirsty Stewart had to build their squad through the latter part of the season and held on to a decent mid table slot.

Our Under 15’s With Steve Nyandu and Elaine Graham started the season with a huge defeat and the towel nearly went in after game one. Credit to the core of the side who remained positive and produced some excellent displays, when all seemed lost.

The Under 16’s played top quality opposition all season and had their moments of sheer delight coupled with those of despair. Last season for this team and we wish you all the best for the future. We are all hoping Kirsty Pealling stays with the Club in another coaching roll. Come on girl?

The Future 2009/10

We plan to open a separate Girl’s Academy to build interest and a future for our Girl’s teams. The Boy’s Academy will continue to grow as a part of our pledge for 1001 players under the Hampstead FC banner by 2011. We take players from 3-14 in the Academy and will expand the time slot to 4 hours.

We will have 7 Girl’s team’s next season and 29 boy’s teams taking us to the dizzy heights of 36 teams.