English Schools' Football Association

Season's Greetings from
the ESFA Chairman
Kevin Wilbur

As I write this last message for 2005, I am sharing the dining table with my wife who is writing our Christmas cards. The last week of term is upon us - how quickly the time has flown by. I am already nearly half way through my Chairman's year!

I know that many of you are involved in the organisation of the various ESFA competitions. I am also aware that some areas of the country have been hard hit by the weather. Personally I would quite like to see some seasonal snow: here in semi-tropical Lincolnshire we have only witnessed the white stuff second hand on our television screens! Please encourage your schools to play their games on time if at all possible - it will help our Competitions Department a lot.

One competition which should now be completed by each Association is the Jetix Under 12 Indoor 5-a-side Cup. This should also not be subject to the vagaries of the weather. From now on, ESFA Council will be busy organising Area finals to which you are all cordially invited. The National Final will once again be held at the JJB Soccer Dome in Derby, and the winning boys and girls' schools will represent England in Germany during the World Cup. What a prize!

I hope you have noted June 24th 2006 in your diary. It is the date of the AGM, this season to be held at the Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg in North Lincolnshire. There will be more information on this at a later date.

So now I will close. There are jobs to be done around the house and I have to clear a suitable space for the Christmas tree which is to be purchased at the weekend. I do hope you all enjoy the Christmas period, that you meet your family and friends over a glass or two, and that you have a peaceful New Year. Do make the most of it - it won't last!