U17 Professional Development League Cup, Group C
Thursday 9 November 2023
Played at Shirecliffe
SUFC 2023/24 Game #23
Sheffield United Community Foundation U19 4 v i2i International Soccer Academy "Green" 1
National Football Youth League, North East Championship
Wednesday 8 November 2022
Played at Handsworth
SUFC 2023/24 Game #22
Sheffield United Community Foundation A 1 v Doncaster Rovers College A 3
Community & Education Football Alliance League, North Central 1
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Played at Handsworth
SUFC 2023/24 Game #21
NBDR
No Beer Don't Read
The usual ballache getting in at Shirecliffe. If you turn up in a car, they give you a cursory look, lift the barriers and let you in. If you say you're a player's relative, they give you a cursory look, and welcome you in. But, if you're in the Carrier Bag Firm, and turn up on foot, three stewards descend out of the hut to ask for your credentials.
"No point me telling you anything other than the truth. I'm a Sheffield United fan. Our Academy team are playing over there. I can more or less see them from here. Warming up on that pitch there. With the lights on. I want to come in and watch the game please."
The main word you will hear is NO. Although, fair play, you will hear SORRY quite a lot. Security will deploy the word SAFEGUARDING. You, as a former producer of the School League Tables, who once had access to the details of every child who has been through the English & Welsh education system since 1970, will know full fucking well what SAFEGUARDING is thank you very much. You will not say that. Because it won't get you anywhere.
You will be told you need a MATCH PASS. You, will know full well that no such fucking thing exists. As car after car and "relative" after relative is waved in with no suggestion of a MATCH PASS, you will not say that. Because it won't get you anywhere.
You will be bombarded by any amount of nonsense fuzzy logic as to why you can't come in. That logic will evaporate while the words are still cloudy vapour in the cold, November S3 air. You will not say that. Because, on this occasion, confronted by this scenario, logic is your enemy.
You know, in your ever colder bones, that the longer you stand there, being told you can't come in, the more people will be let in with a cheery wave. And, guess what, the guys on the gate are FUCKING HUMAN. And they will begin to understand the ridiculous dance we are all in.
Key at this point is - don't make them back down. Don't make them feel uncomfortable. Put it on someone else.
"Of course. Of course. I fully understand. But, you'll understand my disappointment. I've spent ages getting here. On a miserable night. I'm just disappointed. You are letting people in. I can see that. I just think if you explain to the office that there's some poor old guy here, who's come miles, and just wants to watch the game. They'll give me permission, like all these other people you've let in have got permission. I'm just disappointed is all. You'll understand my disappointment."
At this point, proximity is important, take five paces away, let them be the Alphas. You fucking know you're getting in. They still think you're not. Look at the floor. Avoid eye contact.
Mutter. Mutter. Mutter. (Pretend conversations on Walkie Talkie).
"Thank you Sir. We've now had clarification. The pitch is over there."
The U17 PDL Cup is played under lights. At Shirecliffe, that means the plastic pitch. At Shirecliffe, that means one of the pylons will inevitably be out and it will be virtually impossible to see that part of the pitch and the play.
A ninety mile an hour, no composure, chests out, adrenaline game. Very feisty at times. The fucking swearing was appalling. You wouldn't think they'd want that in such a Safeguarded Environment would you. Both teams were giving needless fouls away all over the parts of the pitch I could actually see. On 24, one of those resulting free kicks just outside the Blades box ended in the opening Alex goal.
A great equaliser just before half time. And on 75, United won it. Crewe failed to clear a corner. It did fall nicely to the United youngster. But, the technique and power on the shot was phenomenal.
That leaves the group wide open. In this format, you only play each other once, three games each. After last night, United, Crewe, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday have all played two, won one, lost one. All four sitting on three points, one to play.
No such shenanigans for that double header at Handsworth. Of course, during the week, Handsworth actually IS an educational establishment, a school, a college. Some of the SUFC Community teams play in the Community & Education Football Alliance League. But, proper safeguarding risk assessment, and proportional measures mean we're good to go.
i2i International Soccer Academy is a does what it says on the tin private Football Academy run out of Northumbria University and Leeds Beckett. England Youth, Leeds United, Sampdoria, Hellas Verona & Torino midfielder Ronaldo Viera is an i2i graduate. Of course, Ronaldo was also a Sheffield United transfer target back in the day. That turned into a fairly comfortable 4-1 run out for this Learny Blades team.
Although, earlier in the day, a Doncaster Rovers team were too strong for the United A team.
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