Cringleford Lions U10 JFC

Our last post as U10s... following our last tournament as U10s.

The Cringleford International Cup took place on the 1st and 2nd August. An amazing weekend welcoming brilliant teams from across the country (and globe).

In the Saturday tournament, the Lions were undefeated, joint fewest goals conceded, most goals scored... but lost on pens in the Final. Heartbreak!

In the Sunday tournament, the Lions were again fantastic. Undefeated, 1-0 up in the final with 3 mins to go, but ended up losing 2-1 in the last kick of the game. Heartbreak again!

But a fantastic effort from the boys. Never stopped working for each other. And great learnings to take into the new season.

See you in a few weeks as U11s!

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🏆 HIGHLY COMMENDED – CLUB OF THE YEAR 🏆

We are incredibly proud to share that Cringleford Junior Football Club has been recognised as Highly Commended in the 2026 FA Grassroots Football Awards – Club of the Year.

This recognition from Norfolk County FA reflects everything that makes CJFC special.

Every week, hundreds of young people take to the pitch in our club colours. Behind every training session and every match is a team of volunteers who give their time to create a positive, welcoming and enjoyable environment for every player.

Over the past year we've continued to grow across boys', girls' and disability football, while staying true to what matters most – giving children the opportunity to enjoy football, build confidence, make friends and create lasting memories.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in our journey. This recognition is something the whole CJFC community can be proud of.

Congratulations to all of this year's winners and nominees, and thank you to Norfolk FA for recognising our club. Here's to another great season ahead! 💙💛

Cringleford Lions on Tour – GT United 7v7 Tournament | Waltham Cross, North London 🦁⚽

The Lions headed south to Waltham Cross for the GT United 7v7 Tournament – our second away tournament of the summer and another opportunity to test ourselves against some outstanding opposition.

With only the top two teams from two groups progressing to the semi-finals, there was very little margin for error.

**Squad:** Reggie, Zach, Seb, Pablo, Ben G, Henry, Feliks and Kit.

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# # # Group Stage

The Lions settled into the tournament brilliantly, remaining unbeaten throughout the group phase.

Every player played their part. **Reggie** was assured between the sticks, commanding his area and starting attacks with confident distribution. In front of him, **Zach** and **Seb** were immense, giving the opposition nothing, winning tackles and repeatedly launching dangerous counter attacks. **Pablo** linked play superbly in midfield, **Ben G** worked tirelessly to keep possession and create openings, while **Henry**, **Feliks** and **Kit** constantly stretched defences with intelligent movement and relentless running.

Going into the final group match, the maths was simple... the Lions needed to win by six goals to finish top of the group and earn what looked to be the more favourable semi-final.

No pressure then!

The response was remarkable.

Wave after wave of yellow shirts poured forward and, with virtually the last kick of the game, the sixth goal hit the net to complete an incredible **6-0 victory**.

The celebrations at the final whistle told the story. A huge team effort and top spot secured in dramatic fashion.

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# # # Semi Final

Buoyed by that finish, the Lions produced arguably their best football of the day.

Once again the defensive platform was outstanding, with **Reggie**, **Zach** and **Seb** looking almost impossible to break down. **Pablo** and **Ben G** controlled possession, **Feliks** worked selflessly to create space, while **Kit** was a constant threat.

The goals came through **Henry**, who finished superbly twice, before **Kit** wrapped up an excellent **3-0 victory** to send the Lions into another tournament final.

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# # # Final – Chars Youth

The final was everything you'd expect.

The Lions were superb.

Apart from one outstanding save by **Reggie**, who somehow diverted a fierce effort away with his head, it was almost entirely Cringleford pressure. **Zach** and **Seb** continued their outstanding defensive display, while **Pablo**, **Ben G**, **Henry**, **Feliks** and **Kit** repeatedly asked questions of the Chars defence.

The crossbar rattled.

The post was struck.

One effort was somehow cleared off the line.

Despite the dominance, the deadlock refused to be broken.

**0-0. Penalties.**

The shootout was full of drama.

Both sides converted their opening penalties, with **Seb** confidently dispatching his. **Reggie** then produced a brilliant save to give the Lions the advantage.

Next up was **Kit**, whose penalty crashed against the post with such force that it actually broke the goal frame before trickling across the line. With the goal clearly defective, everyone expected a retake... but play was waved on.

Both teams continued converting penalties until Chars eventually missed, handing the initiative back to the Lions.

Just as **Seb** prepared to take what could have been the decisive penalty, the referee was called over by the assistant referee, who ruled that Reggie had been off his line for the earlier save. The penalty was retaken, Chars scored, and moments later Seb's penalty was saved.

Heartbreak.

**Full Time: Cringleford Lions – Runners Up**

It wasn't the ending the boys deserved, but what a performance they produced throughout the day.

Not a single goal conceded in open play. Outstanding defending. Excellent football. Fantastic teamwork. The Lions once again showed exactly what this group is all about.

And if there was one thing guaranteed to lift the spirits after such a long day...

A well-earned stop at **Birchanger Services** for KFC on the journey home! 🍗😄

We're incredibly proud of every single one of them. North London certainly knows where Cringleford is now. 🦁💛

Summer tournament #4 - Downham Town

With all players available, the Lions entered two teams... Yellows and Blues.

A random draw was made to decide which group each went into. Teams were selected by coach Chris, as follows:

Group A - Blues
Nathan, Rhylee, Ben T, Ben G, Kit and Zach

Group B - Yellows
Alex, Seb, Shahveer, Henry, Ollie, Pablo

Both topped their groups of 7 teams undefeated. Fantastic football on show and some spectacular goals.

Yellows navigated their semi final with relative ease... A 4-1 win.

Blues hit every part of the woodwork but couldn't score. To penalties. Cringleford blinked first, but Nathan pulled off two great saves, and Ben T scored the winner.

A first after 4 years of playing together, the semi final wins set up an all Cringleford Lions final!

The Yellows came out victors, but it was a testament to their togetherness that they all celebrated as one team.

What a day!

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.

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⚽🦁 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. 🦁💛💙