Tyson's Diary

Day 2
Did training based on shooting leading to a shooting skills test. The test was 4 shots, 2 with each foot. I scored maximum points (200) and won the test. We had a short passing competition, which I won, started at the bottom and won every game getting to the top. Overall it was a good day for me. Hopefully tomorrow will be as good.

Day 3
Tomorrow wasn’t as good. Today we did passing exercises with movement (checking). In aid for the passing skill test the ‘Beckham’ one. This test was basically a big dartboard on the grass. I did quite well finishing 3rd. That was quite good but after tea we played 10-a-side and I got quickly frustrated. On a different note we are playing the year above us in a proper match. I hope we give them a good game and beat them and I score. We also played tennis, which was good.

Day 4
We did the dribbling test today where I finished 3rd but slipped (would have done better in my boots). We ended up playing the year younger than us and beating them 6-1. I scored the second goal Scott scored the first, Ryan scored a penalty and Webby scored two. I played well and the whole team played well as we beat them convincingly. We got t-shirts for the game that we get to keep.

Day 5
Today was the trip. I’d been looking forward to this all week; even since I first new I was coming to this course. We were up earlier than usual for breakfast because we had to set off at 8:30. We should have been travelling for about 40 minutes, it took us a lot longer but it was worth it. We were at Carrington the training ground of Manchester United. We got to see them train. Beckham, Rio, Van Nistelrooy, Scholes, Veron, it was fantastic. I’d taken some of my Corinthians (little football figures) to be signed by the players ended up only getting Beckham’s autograph, which was disappointing. Next we went to Old Trafford were we looked around the museum and had a tour of the stadium. It was great, unfortunately I didn’t have a camera and there was nowhere where I could by one. When we got home we later did some shooting games to finis off this great day.

Day 6
Today we were going home, I had packed and exchanged phone numbers with a few friends and was ready. We had some training and the last skills test and I won it. I won the skills competition in my group and went on to compete in the final, which was the ‘Beckham’ test, but I didn’t win. At 3 o’clock my dad and Tommy (Scott’s dad), we had the final presentation then it was time to go home. I had had a great time, made some new mates and definitely would like to go again next year. On my way out I found out that I had got the highest number of points in the whole school in the skills test with 860 points.

Weekly Diary

Week 2
It was my first proper day back at school and this year Ruffwood finishes at 2:40 but we have to be in school at 8:30, it was difficult getting up that early but I’ll have to get used to it. It went to my futebol de salao class, this week we did some skill tests, numerous tests e.g. how many foot on top of the balls you could do in 30 seconds, it was good. On Sunday for Saltbox we played Redgate Rovers and we got beat 3-2. We were unlucky we were unlucky, the referee was a bit dodgy but we were slack for two of their goals, one was a great free kick. So we were losing 3-0 we got one back then I scored another and we probably should have went on to win but it wasn’t to be.

Week 3
I’m getting used to being back in school and getting into a routine of getting up earlier so school and the new system is becoming familiar. I went to my Futebol de Salao class where this week we concentrated on combinations and different types of passes. I went to the David Lloyd centre to play tennis and have a swim etc. It was the big game on Sunday Saltbox v S&L. We eventually lost 3-0. It was a tuff game, I did some good passes and good turns but let some of their players get to me. After the 2nd team switched off then they got another and the game was over. I am extremely disappointed with the result but it’s gone now. So I have to look on to the next game and improving myself as a player. I can learn from this game and I no what to expect next time and in the future and can put it right.

Week 4
School is going fine getting loads of homework but still going good. I missed Futebol de Salao this week because my Mum was working lates so couldn’t take me, hopefully can go next week. Again went to the David Lloyd centre to have a game of tennis, badminton and use the pool facilities. Training for Saltbox was also cancelled on the Saturday but on Sunday we had a match. We played Moorside. We went down to an early goal but came back and ended up eventual 5-1 winners. I played well getting stuck in and doing a few good things. I couldn’t seem to score this week but did well; I came off with about ten minutes remaining when we were on top convincingly.

Week 5
School is still ok. Was given first coursework assignment in a few subjects getting to grips of that. Went to Futebol de salao class with my mate Scott he was at Wigan with me and had recently been with Everton. He had been once before but is now going to go regularly. Saltbox didn’t have training no Saturday. On the Sunday we played Chapelhouse and beat them 4-2. The score reflecting them a bit better than it should of. This would be my last before I went to Paris with the school but was good because there was no game for us this weekend any way. Paris was great! We stayed in a big chateau run by PGL, we were there for a long weekend there was lots to do on site and we visited Paris itself. In the town, visiting the Eiffel Tower, which I enjoyed.

Week 6
After getting home at about 11:00 on the Monday night I went back into school the next morning at the later time of 10:00am (break time), the teachers had to be in at 8:30am though. We only had three more days after that then we were broke up for half term. This week we worked on the skills test in Futebol de Salao. We each did an individual test each. I did keep ups (laces) getting level 5 reaching 250 keep ups, Scott also did level 5 in keep ups. For Saltbox we played Forefield Rangers beating them 8-0. This week I came on about 5 minutes into the second half. I played just behind the front two. I pulled off some nice pieces of skill and had a fierce shot saved by the goalie. The match was over a long time ago.

Week 7
This week was half term. I could sleep in at last. On the Monday I went to town with my mates just for a look around as I had some money left from my French trip. There was no Futebol de Salao on this week because of the half term. On Thursday I went out again this time to Chester with my mate we had a great laugh we got some bargains too. Being in Chester we went to Cheshire Oaks as well. This week we were playing Formby away but due to the heavy rain it was called off.

Week 8
This week I went back into school it was the same, usual. I wasn’t able to make Futebol de Salao training because my Mum was at work and Scott’s brother was as well. I didn’t do anything for Halloween but it was my Nan’s birthday. I have been going to Marine for a few weeks now and doing well. One of the parents asked my Mum if I wanted to sign for a team on a Saturday. It felt good to be wanted. On the Saturday I went down to watch them play, they drew 1-1but I agreed to play and signed on. I should be playing next week against Redgate. On Sunday for Saltbox we funnily enough were playing Redgate. We beat them 5-1 and I played really well.

Week 9
This week it was Bonfire night. I’m not to bothered about Bommy night but I don’t mind some fireworks. Futebol de Salao was cancelled due to Bonfire night and other events going on that day. But I had a Y10 basketball tournament for my school, so I played in that. I’m glad to say Ruffwood won the tournament and we didn’t lose a game. After my tournament I went to my mum’s friends house where we watched some fireworks. I went to Marine training on Wednesday, which was quite good. On Saturday the match for Holborn was called off but I wasn’t yet legible to play any way. On Sunday we had the big game. S&L vs. Saltbox. We were easily beaten 6-1. I had quite a good game never gave up but when the people around you weren’t up for it, it didn’t matter.

Week 10
This week was boss. I went to Futebol de Salao with Scott. I did ‘the enigma’ which is a challenge on the skills list. On Wednesday I had training for Marine that was good but earlier on Wednesday I was on a trip with the school at a construction competition in Salford. On Thursday I went to the panathalon. A sporting event at Picton sports centre. I was playing for the basketball team. We got a silver medal but were playing above our age group. So we did well. Then on Friday I was at skills city in Salford with the school the same place where the construction event was. This time I got to have a look around the place and do some of the activities it was good fun. I was only in school for two days in the week. On Saturday there was no game but on Sunday for Saltbox we played Moorside. We drew 2-2. We beat them 6-1 last time but should have done better this time we went behind only to equalise in the last seconds. I had a good game.

Week 11
This week I couldn’t make it to Futebol de Salao training. On Wednesday I got a lift from Ged’s (the man who signed me for Holborn) wife to Marine but it was cancelled which was crap. On Saturday I had my first match for Holborn. It was against Formby. These are different to the team on a Sunday. We were beaten with the last kick of the game losing 2-1. I played decent but hope to do better and more as I fit in. On Sunday for Saltbox we drew 1-1 away at Chapelhouse, a team that we beat last time. I picked up a slight knock on Saturday and had a cold. I played decent but no excuses I can do a lot better.