Cringleford Lions U10 JFC

Huge congratulations to Jim Sutherland for being awarded Norfolk FA ref of the year.

Jim has been a regular and big supporter of CJFC tournaments, and always receives fantastic feedback, not just because of his excellent application of the laws of the game, but how he supports and encourages youth football players.

Well done Jim, and thank you.

Cringleford Lions and Cobras End Of Season Party 2025/26

First up... Foot Golf. A hotly contested Matchplay saw the Yellows take a 3-1 win vs the Blues!

Then it was off to Thompson Hall Retreat for the party who, with Bootiful Buckets , were fantastic hosts (thank you!). Swimming, hot tub, football, scavenger hunt and loaded fries... winner!

The coaches recapped a fantastic year of footballing highs combined with great learnings, player development, Madrid tours, tournament successes and experiences, tubing, rafting, paddle tennis, and a lot more.

This year's award winners:

Cobras:

Most Improved - Ted and Rhylee
Parents' Player - Ben T
Players' Player - Shahveer
Manager's Player - Seb

Lions:
Most Improved - Henry and Reggie
Parents' Player - Seb
Players' Player - Kit
Manager's Player - Zach

Special Lion Heart Award - Pablo!

Well done to all.

While these are individual awards, every player in the team contributed to the success of the season. That’s not just measured in games won or goals scored. That’s measured in being part of something that matters to each player, supporting each other, and driving each other on to improve. Win an award or not, all players played their part.

A message from coach Chris...

Thank you for your effort, commitment, attitude, friendship and willingness to learn throughout the season.

You've won matches, lost matches, scored goals, made mistakes, celebrated together and picked each other up after disappointment.

That's what team sport is all about.

Football teaches us far more than how to kick a ball. It teaches teamwork, resilience, communication, leadership, discipline, courage, respect, problem solving and how to deal with pressure.
It teaches us that setbacks are temporary, hard work matters and success is rarely achieved alone.

Those lessons will help you at school, in future jobs, in friendships and in life.

Keep working hard.
Keep being kind.
Keep supporting each other.
And most importantly...
Keep enjoying your football.

Bring on the 2026/27 season!

Runners up in today's Thorpe St Andrew tournament following a heart breaking extra time 1-0 defeat in the final.

👏 👏 👏

⚽🦁 Lions on Tour! 🦁⚽

This weekend the Lions hit the road for a sunny adventure in the Home Counties… and what a weekend it turned out to be.

With Ollie and Pablo sadly unavailable, the travelling squad of 8 was:
Reggie, Ben T, Ben G, Henry, Kit, Zach, Seb and Shahveer.

The tour started at Lee Valley White Water Centre... home of the London 2012 Olympic rafting events. After an entertaining pre-match warm-up in a 40 degree changing room involving wetsuits being put on backwards, taken off, then put back on the right way around, the boys split into two rafts and took on the rapids.

There were thrills, spills, plenty of shouting, one briefly “missing” player, and lots of laughter. A brilliant way to start the trip.

From there it was on to the Crowne Plaza in Gerrards Cross for dinner, a live band, and a well-earned sleep before tournament day.

After a morning swim and an impressive effort at the breakfast buffet, the Lions headed to Beaconsfield Town FC for the team’s first ever 6v6 tournament.

The organisers split teams into ability tiers, and based on the Lions’ NCYFL performances this season, they were placed straight into the top “Strong” group.

One look at the warm-ups and Coach Chris genuinely wondered whether we’d accidentally entered the U14s. The opposition were enormous!

But the Lions didn’t blink.

⚽ Game 1 – Chesham
A tough opener. The Lions went behind early but responded brilliantly to level things up. In the final few minutes they piled on the pressure, peppering the goal but just unable to find a winner.

Full time: 1-1

⚽ Game 2 – Fulham
Another intense battle. The Lions took the lead, Fulham equalised, but the boys showed huge determination and regained control to take a deserved victory.

Full time: 2-1

⚽ Game 3 – Beaconsfield B
The Lions settled into their rhythm here, moving the ball confidently and taking a quick two-goal lead. In truth, it could have been more.

Full time: 2-0

⚽ Game 4 – Beaconsfield A
A huge test against a very strong side. The winners would top the group.

The Lions rose to the challenge magnificently.

Kit produced a brilliant individual goal to put Cringleford ahead, before a controversial penalty decision allowed Beaconsfield level.

But the response was superb. The Lions kept playing, kept competing, and retook the lead through a fantastic team move finished brilliantly by Shahveer.

The post rescued Beaconsfield several times, while at the other end Seb was a rock and Reggie made excellent saves dealing brilliantly with everything thrown at him.

Full time: 2-1

UNBEATEN. Group winners. Into the semi-finals.

⚽ Semi-final – Fulham
By now the Lions were flying.

They dominated the game from the start, scoring early and creating chance after chance. The woodwork was rattled multiple times before another goal sealed an outstanding performance.

Into the final.

⚽ Final – Beaconsfield A
The Lions absolutely roared out of the blocks and thought they had scored after just two minutes… only for the referee not to spot the ball had bounced back out from inside the goal after hitting the back wheel.

It was a huge moment.

In sweltering heat against a physically massive side, the boys kept battling. Reggie produced another outstanding save to keep things level and, with penalties looming, the Lions were still pushing.

But with less than three minutes remaining Beaconsfield finally broke through. Chasing an equaliser in the final moments, the Lions were caught with the last kick of the game.

Full time: 0-2

Beaconsfield somewhat sheepishly took the trophy. However, the tournament organisers awarded both teams as gold medal winners.

Winners or runners up… what a fantastic weekend.

Their first ever 6v6 tournament. Probably the strongest group of teams they’ve ever faced. Yet they competed brilliantly, topped their group unbeaten, reached the final, and represented Cringleford with enormous pride.

More importantly, they showed togetherness, resilience, character and courage throughout.

Hopefully the result will fade with time, but the memories from this weekend won’t.

Brilliant effort, boys. 🦁💛💙

Growth.

Experiences.

You may not always get the scoreline you're looking for, but you can learn a huge amount by trying, and make fantastic memories along the way.

Today the Lions played a Norwich City U10 academy select in a 7v7 match at the NCFC Avant training centre. The Lions put on an incredible performance.

So proud.

Thank you Norwich City FC for hosting us.

⚽🐍 Cringleford Cobras vs Gorleston Rangers Ospreys - U10s Norfolk & Suffolk League Cup Final

The big day had arrived.

The Cobras, created for one season only to give the brilliant Cringleford U10 Lions and Tigers players the opportunity to play even more of the game they love, had reached the main event... the Norfolk & Suffolk League Cup Final. After navigating five tough rounds, the final challenge was an excellent Gorleston Rangers Ospreys side.

Squad: Reggie, Ben T, Henry, Ollie, Shahveer, Pablo, Ted, Leyton, Jenson, Rhylee and Seb
(plus Ben G in spirit, unfortunately unavailable due to a fixture clash).

The Cobras gave absolutely everything. Every tackle, every run, every press, every recovery sprint. In the end, they fell to a narrow defeat against a very strong Gorleston team.

But what stood out most was the way the players conducted themselves throughout the occasion. They represented themselves, their team mates, their families and Cringleford brilliantly. Competitive, determined and together from first whistle to last. Gracious in defeat and already talking about the lessons they can take back into their respective Saturday teams.

To the parents - thank you for the unwavering support all season. The travelling, encouragement, positivity and commitment has been incredible.

To the club - thank you for backing this opportunity. Our first venture into the Norfolk & Suffolk League may not have ended with a trophy, but hopefully it has helped lay foundations for future Cringleford teams to follow.

To the coaches - Mike (somehow still not divorced despite the occasional killer stare 😂), Alex and Lewis... this was a genuine team effort. The collaboration between Lions and Tigers has been fantastic to see, and together you’ve helped create memories these boys will carry for a long time.

And finally, to the players…

Stand tall. Be proud. Take the learning. Remember the journey.

Your football ability is already impressive, but what really stands out is your desire, togetherness, resilience and character. The way you support each other and handle both victory and disappointment is beyond your years.

This is the final Cobras match report. The team is no more, as the Lions and Tigers move to play on Sundays next season. One last post will follow after the End of Season party on 13 June.

To everyone who followed, supported and encouraged the team along the way - thank you.

⚽🐍

Cringleford U10s vs Kenya U11s

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