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Charter Standard Cup 2008

During July, Middlesex County FA once again ran the much coveted Charter Standard Cup. The competition is open to all teams that have achieved Charter Standard status and is backed by football development funding. This year’s tournament was held at Kodak Sports Ground, Harrow.

A record 18 boys’ teams entered as the competition's reputation continues to grow in giving the opportunity for Under 10 sides to make the transition to 11-a-side football for the coming season. It also allows for the development of young officials in the county, with members of the Middlesex Young Referees’ Development Scheme officiating the matches.

The format saw the teams split into six groups of three teams with the top placed team plus the three best runners-up progressing to the next round. Each match consisted of 2 x 20 minute halves.

The competition was an opportunity for Middlesex County FA to showcase some of the new strategies coming into the game as part of the Football Association’s RESPECT Campaign. This involved designated roped-off areas for spectators to minimize verbal abuse towards officials.

Finals night offered an excellent climax to the competition. A small-sided adult disability football competition was played in addition to the finals of the Cup and Plate sections of the U10 boys’ competition. Both the President and Chairman of Middlesex County FA were in attendance to give out awards and representatives from the Football Association were also present.
The boys’ Cup Final saw Hayes & Yeading up against Wealdstone and Headstone Manor in a round robin format. Headstone Manor defeated Wealdstone 3-0 in the opening game and Hayes & Yeading ran out comfortable 5-0 winners in the second game against Headstone Manor. Hayes & Yeading required just a draw in the final game against Wealdstone to take the trophy. They went one better by winning it 4-1 and therefore securing the team’s first trophy at 11-a-side level, which represented the third Charter Standard Cup title for the club in four years.
Adapted from an article by Clive Robertson, Hayes & Yeading Youth FC