b'FOOTBALL CLUB REPORT 2021/2022The Football Club has again consolidated, with now just a First XI and a Vets team (which plays one fixture a month), still within the Birmingham AFA.The First XI has a really good mixture of older club players, who in some cases have been representing HGSOBFC for up to twenty years, and a new influx of teenage players ranging from 16 to 18 years old.Covid-19 and the stresses this has brought resulted in the new team essentially being built from scratch, with Midland League Division 2 Champions 2021 a new management team also installed, A. Brough, K. Gower, S. Ginder, C. Greenhill, J. Mayne, D. Hannah-Bevins, A. Quigley,headed by former player and past J. Culloo, A. Chesworth Rickards, H. Randhawa, P. Gill, D. Moore, Captain. TeamPresident, Chris Etheridge.Manager R. Brough (not shown) The teams foundations have been centred on decent players with good character, thus playing and conducting SWIMMING CLUBthemselves in the right way. This has led to success both on and off the pitch, with a top six finish in the league, REPORT 2021 and the creation of a great team spirit, meaning the younger players in particular have thoroughly enjoyed their 2021 opened with the country in Coviddeveloped quickly and the Club beganfirst season in open age football.lockdown and all swimming poolsto feel as though it was really movingTop scorer for the season was Sam closed. This remained the case untilforward. Etheridgenot a bad achievement at Handsworth Leisure Centre reopened its doors to the Club on 7th May.A further bombshell was then droppedonly 16 years old!Severe restrictions applied to numbersupon us on 2nd November, when theAfter a challenging couple of years, it on the side, in the water, an absenceLeisure Centre told us that the Largevery much looks as though the Football of changing rooms and indeed the typePool roof was in such a bad state ofClub is getting back on track and of activities that could be undertaken.repair that the pool had to be closedwill hopefully return to the depth of Only the Large Pool could be utilised,immediately. All activities stoppedteams and players that we have had in with the U18 polo team being the firstforthwith; we lost all our teachingprevious years.to resume training, followed by the Aclasses, quickly followed by players team and in time other polo players ofin U14, U16, U18 and B teams, who,We are all looking forward to 2022/23; different age ranges. with nowhere to train, migrated to otherpre-season training will start at the clubs to continue their careers. Richardbeginning of July at our home ground in The U16 team were back in poloBrough scoured the city to find us anRomilly Avenue, on a weekday evening, action in June, although their leaguealternative location, finally securingyet to be confirmed. Training will last was subject to many difficulties. TheWoodcock Street, which was onlyninety minutes, for which there will A team followed with a few friendlyavailable on a Wednesday at 8.30pm,be a 2 fee. To join us for this, please matches, but the situation prevented afor the remaining stalwarts. register NOW via ianbird60@yahoo.league operating during the summer,co.uk; he will confirm the time and day finally developing into a full structureWith our home pool probably closedfor training.in September. The U18 teams Leaguethroughout 2022 the Club struggles also started in September, althoughon, with a heavy financial burden andAndy Hughes, Presidentwith a significant shortage of players onvery few members. The A team does our part. continue and in April 2022 (when their League was completed) they Teaching in the Small Pool could notbeat Camp Hill in the final game to be start until September, but was quicklycrowned Champions of Division 2 for into its stride gaining new childrenthe year 2021 and promotion toin addition to previous regulars. OurDivision 1.pre-Covid teaching of higher standard children, in the Large Pool, alsoPhilip Swann45'