North East Elite Under 11’s

12/09/2026

NEE V Whickham

Frustrating morning for all.

Before kick off today we spoke mainly about decision making and not taking any needless risks.

We started reasonably well and the game was really even for 15 mins with both teams creating chances. We had a little lapse in concentration/decision making though and gifted them 2 goals in 2 mins. We settled ourselves and went in at half time with no more goals.
At half time we spoke about the same things and to go out and be positive. We did that and got 1 back when Colton scored inside 2 mins, after some great play down the left hand side.
We looked good again for 10 mins and forced their goalkeeper into some good saves, but couldn’t convert. We then gave them a penalty, which I feel was avoidable, which they gave Toby no chance of saving.
We completely switch off for 10 mins and conceded another 6 in 10 mins! I’ve never seen anything like it before, and hope never to again haha.
We then started playing for the last 5 mins and got 3 back through Matty and another brace for Alfie.
Sadly that horrific 10 mins and some poor decisions have cost us the game today.
Onwards and upwards though. We had some good spells and the score could have been very different if some minor decisions were better.
Luke took MOTM today. Played a couple of positions and was brilliant everywhere. Always proactive coming to the ball and stopping their attackers play, positive when he had the ball at the back and got a really good assist for Colton’s goal. Well done mate
Colton ⚽️
Matty ⚽️
Alfie ⚽️⚽️
Luke 🏆

Thanks as always to our kit sponsors Boyce-Cars

05/09/2026

NEE V Washy Whites
Disappointing result but decent performance.
After what feels like a lifetime away, we were back in league action against a team who have just come down from the prem.
For a few minutes we struggled to get the ball down and play like we can and Wahy took the lead after a little mix up in our back line. From there though, we got a bit of a foothold in the game and got into some good areas while playing some nice football, although Washy did force Toby into some good saves. However we got an equaliser when Matty forced their keeper into a good save and Alfie followed up and finished well.
At half time we spoke about being a bit better with our communication and take control of the situation.
The game was fairly even for 10 mins, with both teams creating chances. Then Washy broke down the right and the ball appeared to have gone out for a goal kick. Our lads stopped, expecting the ref to make a decision. Unfortunately he didn’t and Washy carried on, put the ball across the box and tapped it home. 2 lessons for us there. Play to the whistle and call for everything!
They got a 3rd a couple of minutes later after another mix up at our end.
We were playing quite well though and got a goal back when Colton broke down the right and squared it for Alfie to get his 2nd of the game.
Sadly our come back was short lived and Washy got 2 in 2 mins. 1 of which summed up our luck today when Wilf put in a great tackle but the ball looped over Toby, literally the only way it could have gone in!
Overall though, I’m happy. Toby made some great saves, we generally defended well and played some nice stuff going forward.
What I’d like us to improve on for next week is communication. The boys are at an age now, where they need to all be showing leadership skills!
MOTM was a joint one this morning, for Josh and Theo.
Josh was solid at the back and stopped there forward from getting any real joy, while being positive when he was on the ball.
Theo worked hard in the middle of the pitch to stop them playing through and linked the play between the backline and the attackers, really well.
Alfie ⚽️⚽️
Josh & Theo 🏆
Well done to all of the boys 🩵🤍

Thanks to our kit sponsors Boyce-Cars, the boys looked great

30/07/2026

Delighted to have Boyce-Cars on board as our new kit sponsor. Go and check out their page and give them a follow. If you or anybody you know is after a new to you car, give Mitch a shout.

Thanks again for the sponsorship

We’re pleased to announce that Boyce Cars are this seasons new sponsor for the North East Elite Under 11’s & 13’s Football Team. ⚽️🚗

We’re incredibly proud to support local talent and give something back to the community. Grassroots football plays such an important role, and we’re delighted to be a small part of this amazing teams journey! 🤩

We want to wish a huge good luck to all the players, coaches and parents for the season ahead. We hope you have a brilliant year full of great football, plenty of wins and, most importantly, lots of fun!

Come on, lads! 💪⚽

22/07/2026

Our new kit 🩵

Massive thanks to BoBoyce-Carsor the sponsorship of a full kit and training jackets, very much appreciated. We’ll do a little write up on our new sponsor, in the not too distant future 🩵 in the mean time, go and give them a like and follow 👍🏻

Thanks as always to ToTotal Sport NEor the printing and supply, as always

04/07/2026

NEE V Consett
Spring cup finale ends positively.

It didn’t start positively though! I ask the boys every time we get together, be positive, work hard and enjoy it! Well from kick off, we turned backwards towards our own goal, lost the ball and were punished. From the restart again, for some reason we passed the ball back to defence and back again and the ball found its way into our net. 2 down with around 1 minute on the clock.
Understandably the boys were a bit knocked by this and looked nervy for a good few minutes. Slowly though we got ourselves settled and started moving the ball like we can. On 10 mins Jacob sprayed the ball from left back to Colton on right wing. He took a touch to get it under control, nudged it forward then smashed into the top corner from a difficult angle. Game on!
10mins later Thomas set up Colton for his 2nd of the morning and we were level.
Just a minute later though, we were back behind and that’s how the half finished. Tbh, it could have been any score with us missing a few chances and our new keeper Toby making some really good saves through the half.
At half time we spoke about the reasons we conceded the 1st couple of goals and asked the boys to put it right, be positive and move the ball forward with purpose. If there is space to travel into, do it!
2nd half, we were like a different team. Passing and moving, travelling with the ball at the right time and mostly making the right decision.
7 mins into the half Thomas used his left foot to curl a ball into the box and our other new player, Alfie poked it home to draw us level. He deserved that, playing out of his usual position but working hard and not giving the defenders chance to relax on the ball!
It felt like there was only going to be one winner from there and we got another goal 5 mins later when Colton smashed in a copy of his 1st!
Another 5mins later from a corner, Beattie moved into a space Theo had just vacated, Colton picked him out, and he swept it home.
The last action of the game was a bit of a goalmouth scramble which. Despite the game being won we showed brilliant desire to keep the ball out. In truth it might have crossed the line but nobody could be sure and the ref didn’t give it.

MOTM went to Colton, 3 great goals and an assist as well as being a threat all game. Top performance! Well done mate 🏆
Another well done to Toby and Alfie who have signed on and made good debuts. Despite a tough start he recovered well and made some great saves, especially in the 1st half.
Alfie worked his backside off and got the goal he deserved. I think his dad celebrated more than he did though 😂
Colton ⚽️⚽️⚽️🏆
Beattie ⚽️
Alfie ⚽️

That’s the end of our spring cup and sadly we are losing Noah, who couldn’t make it today. I’ll do a separate write up in the coming days for him ❤️🖤

Well done boys, top set of lads and top performance today ❤️🖤

Thanks as always for the kit sponsorship Fika Coffee Roasters

28/06/2026

NEE v Jarrow

I was away yesterday so coaching duties were left to Cris Beattie. What a brilliant job he did, and I look forward to having another week next week 😉 this is his write up in our team what’s app group…
Well done today lads, that was exceptional! Man of the match went to the whole team, impossible to pick an individual after that great team performance. No big write up today as I cant even remember who scored all of the goals (sorry Kev), but from talking to the lads I think it was:
Colton ⚽️⚽️⚽️ (1 assist)
Thomas ⚽️⚽️ (1 assist)
Jacob ⚽️
Luke ⚽️ (2 assists)
Roo ⚽️ (1 assist)
OG ⚽️

Well done boys ❤️🖤

Thanks to Cris for guiding the lads to a convincing win and to Fika Coffee Roasters for the kit sponsorship

20/06/2026

NEE v Easington

The lads should have been full of confidence going into this game after a good showing last week and good training session midweek.
We started though, like rabbits caught in the headlights. Full credit to Easington for that, they were all over us, not giving a second on the ball. This forced into some sloppy play and giving away the ball unnecessarily. We were 2 goals down within 6 minutes after!
We seemed to settle a bit from the 2nd kick off, looked much more composed and passed the ball around a bit better. On 10 mins Jacob picked the ball up just inside half way and stepped forward with it. He fired a shot towards the bottom corner which their keeper saved well and pushed out to the side. Thomas retrieved it for us and picked out Luke in the middle to slot it away.
We looked dangerous for the next 5 mins and could have got back on terms if not for some good saves and a brilliant block on the line.
Sadly they went up thr other end and won themselves a corner, which they scored from as the player was left unmarked to chest it in! That seemed to put the boys heads back down and Noah was forced into a string of saves to keep us in sight of them. Sadly he could stop them getting a 4th just before half time.
At half time we spoke about being positive in possession, aggression in our tackles and working hard to stop them playing
The boys went out and did much better in the 2nd half, forcing their keeper into 3-4 really smart saves, including a diving catch 👏🏻
Today wasn’t our day though and Easington got one midway through the 2nd have to put the game to bed.
In truth, we could have easily scored 4-5 today but Easington could have scored 10 and deserved to win the game.
Honourable mention to Luke today, he never stopped running and was a threat every time he got the ball. He’s been back to his best the last few weeks.
Noah to MOTM though, some great saves right from the 1st minute to the last and some good distribution in amongst all that, well done mate.
Luke ⚽️
Noah 🏆

Let’s put it right next week lads, 3 games left to go! ❤️🖤💚

Thanks Fika Coffee Roasters for the kit sponsorship

14/06/2026

Tournament day - A lovely day down in Bishop Auckland for our final games of the season.
We started brightly, moved the ball well, got ourselves into some great areas and got a goal to beat Darlington rockets 1-0.
Next up was a tougher test against boro rangers. Both sides had periods of pressure but it ended goalless.
Auckland moor were next up and dispatched with relative ease with the help of a really good hat trick from Belly, who had come down to help us out with numbers today. Sadly we did concede one though when their big striker, who caused us a few problems, won a 50/50 with Archie a few yards outside the box then tap home.
The final game was against wallsend and if we won by 4 we would have topped the group. We started really well and scored after less than a minute when Corey scored a trademark volley from the edge of the box. I’ve lost count of home many of them he’s scored this season!
Despite loads of pressure and efforts on goal, we couldn’t extend our lead. No thanks to their keeper, who played a blinder.
All of that meant we would face the hosts in the semi final.
We got our noses ahead after 8 mins or so when Gibbo smashed home from close range. The game was a little bit end to end from there with both sides creating chances. With 4 mins to go, the ref awarded a pen to AJX after the ball struck the wrist of our player. A shot smashed at him from 2m away when his hands were by his sides. Even their coach thought it was wrong, although he wouldn’t tell the ref that what made it worse, the ref then sent one of our players off for questioning the decision. I don’t like to call out refs but in my opinion, he’s had a shocker. Not the 1st time today either, apparently. With the penalty dispatched, the game finished 1-1 and it was the dreaded pens.
Pens have been against me this weekend, my u11 team had a harsh one given against them yesterday for the last kick of the game, that also made that game end 1-1.
Sadly my luck didn’t change and we went out 3-2. Well done to the lads who were brave enough to stand up and take one. As I always say, I will never be upset with somebody who makes a mistake while trying to do the right thing!

Tbh, today pretty much sums up our season. Some lovely football played, all the lads having a good time together, a couple of brilliant goals scored but ultimately not scoring enough has let us down a bit.

From there we went to one of the local high class establishments for a little presentation. Nothing at all flash, just a few words and a trophy each to show my appreciation to the lads. They’ve all played some really good football this season, individually and collectively. Alongside that, they have been a pleasure to coach
A couple of special awards were also up for grabs. Both, the players player and parents player award went to Gibbo, and I can see why!Our captain this season, and he’s been incredible. Starting the season at the back and was a rock but, has a lot of technical ability so played the 2nd half in midfield. Winning the ball, spreading play and scoring some absolute worldies.
Managers player of the season went to Corey. Again, he has scored some absolute worldies, as he did today but other than that, he works his socks off, travels superbly with the ball and can play any position. I still don’t know where his best is! He has been in contention for MOTM pretty much every game this season, consistently high level!

Well done Gibbo, Corey and the rest of the lads 💙🖤

Sadly we have lost a few lads since the start of the season but I’m hoping we can keep as many as possible for next season, we have a great group lads and parents.

Thank you to big @⁨Stu Gibson⁩ for your help with warm ups, on the sidelines and technical input.
Thanks @⁨Ashleigh Mcneilly⁩ for sorting our finances out and a lot of the admin sh*te I hate.
Thanks Ian Ginner Morrell for the kit sponsorship, your support is always appreciated.

Finally, thanks to every parent, grandparent and sibling who has been along with us. You are a lovely bunch and make my job much easier than some other teams’ parents do!

Training is on at Ford hub on Wednesday and you’re all welcome 💙🖤🩶

13/06/2026

Spennymoor v NEE

It’s been a few weeks since our last league game but after a good showing at flamingo land, the boys came into the game high in confidence. They needed to be as well against a team who hadn’t won every league game so far!
We started on the front foot and had a good amount of possession but it was Spenny who had the first opportunity, a prowerful shot from the edge of the box, forcing a brilliant save from Noah. We then put some pressure on Spenny, with Luke working their defence really well and as a team, forcing 4-5 corners in quick succession. The last of these saw the ball break for a spenny player to burst forward. Colton though, was in hand to put him under pressure and force a mistake. He then took the ball past a man, to the byline and cut the ball back for Luke to finish 1st time.
Before the half was out though, we created some great apportunities but couldn’t convert and at the other end, Noah made another important save, this time a 1v1 where he came to the edge of his box to close the angles.
At half time Cris and myself just asked the boys to continue as we were but, be a bit more brave when in possession and travel with the ball.
Tbf, the lads did that, when given the chance and moved it around really nicely when space was tight.
We defended really well as a team today, blocking shots, holding the play up and getting a toe in when needed. I don’t remember Noah having to make a save in the 2nd half and we created some great chances of our own but sadly couldn’t convert.
With 50mjns on the clock Theo pinched the ball and broke away from his player but was dragged down. Somehow, the ref gave Spenny a freekick. From the freekick they lumped the ball forward into our box where it bounced up and hit one of our players on the arm. The ref couldn’t wait to give a penalty. Sadly the penalty was converted with the last kick of the game after 52mins of play.

I went with a joint MOTM today of Colton and Luke.
Colton was positive every time he got on the ball and battled hard off it. My favourite thing though was the fact he’s now really vocal on the pitch, constantly talking to his teammates!
Luke worked his backside off upfront and made some brilliant tackles then set us on the attack really well when he moved into defence.
Luke ⚽️
Colton - Luke 🏆

Well done Colton, Luke and the rest of the boys. Great performance, frustrating result ❤️🖤

Thanks Fika Coffee Roasters for the kit sponsorship, much appreciated as always

Ps, still on the hunt for a goalkeeper and an outfield player to join a brilliant little group