FC Grimsby stars, Mathew Payne, Paul Wilkinson & Simon Taylor all played for Gav's Galacticos at the finals (Champion Soccer Leagues).  Matt Payne went onto secure the Golden Boot with 14 goals.

Mathew Payne said' futsal gave his team a head start as most of the opponents was used to playing football off walls and the finals was outdoors on a marked pitch.'

Gav's Galacticos was only team to play full tournament undefeated.

The tournament had 64 teams , all winners from local Champion Soccer Leagues.

Full tournament report http://www.championsoccer.co.uk/news/195/champions-tournament--2010--day-report.html

 The Grimsby Futsal League  was honoured that referee Gavin Sartain was  appointed to referee the 2010 FA National League Play Off Final (Helvecia and Spartans).  This is a head to head between 2 London teams with substantial prize money at stake and the honour to represent England in the UEFA Futsal Cup. Helvecia has twice been national champions and Spartans once under their previous title White Bear.  

Spartans has historically been Russian and Eastern block players, Helvecia- Brazilian dominated. This game has side issues. Futsal's equivalent of Manchester United vs. Liverpool.

The FA headlines read 'Greatest futsal game ever?'  Some compliment that Gavin controlled such a tight game brilliantly well.

http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/Futsal%20Leagues/NewsAndFeatures/2010/finals-review-120710

FA Futsal Cup 2010

Great day at the office for FC Grimsby.  The national eliminating system meant that FCGY had to win a 3 team group including Real Mabrid (Scarborough) and Oldham Athletic.  Nothing was known  about our Scarborough opponents, Oldham was not the case as we had both beaten each other in FA League North home games during the 2010 season.

An intriguing situation, win both games and team was through, beat Real Mabrid by a close margin, losing was not an option, and Oldham was playing  last knowing the goal difference they would need to achieve to go through.

The day started badly as a defencive slip let Real Mabrid in to score 0-1.  A second close call was an even bigger wake up call. FCGY was creating chances but failing to do what the best clubs do, finish a high percentage of those chances.  Once FCGY had equalised the game became more 'ours to win.'  At 3-1 half time the signs was good, but yet again unforced errors let team down - 3-2.  The game was still alive and our Scarborough opponents had  players in their squad capable of causing opposition problems.  Finally 4-2, 5-2, 6-2 and one last slip to finish the game (6-3).

A +3 goal difference and Oldham next.

Totally different performance, the FCGY defence played as a unit, the game was slowed to a pace that suited Grimsby and opportunities were coming our way.  1-0 half time. 2-0 final score and a place in last 16. 

The September finals are   'world cup' format .  Teams play 1 game Friday, 2 Saturday, and 1, 2 or 3 games Sunday depending on qualifying position and results in knockout stages.

Team captain Mathew Payne (pictured) was delighted with his team performance, ' the team rose to the occasion after a stop start season its great to have a big occasion to work towards.'  Mathew singled out Gavin Broughton for a stunning performance in goal.

Team manager Kevin Bryant gave the Grimsby Institute ‘man of the match’ award to his captain for his work rate and goals over the 2 games, he added that the defensive organisation against Oldham deserved special mention.

The finals are at the prestigious English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Grimsby referee Gavin Sartain will be officiating at the Finals.

Leeds 4 FC Grimsby 4

In team captain Mathew Payne’s opinion this was team’s best performance of the season.

Not for the first time this season did we have to include a newcomer, this time it was the experienced Kirk Russell who was making his season’s debut.  Kirk would have made the start line up many more times but for family illness.

From the early opening plays I was comfortable that Grimsby was on their game and capable of taking the Leeds scalp.  Leeds had one player who posed a real threat if left unchallenged, fortunately FCGY worked out early that his left foot was for standing on!

2 great Higgo saves was a warning that less than 100% defensive concentration would be punished.  An early FCGY goal settled the nerves, FCGY then had a period of play that warranted at least 1 additional goal reward.  As so happens in futsal the game changes in seconds; Leeds keeper made a stunning save, the ball ends up within seconds in front of ‘Higgo’ who could have kicked it out of play, he went for a dribble and 1-1.  His only error.

The character of the team was being tested, would they allow Leeds to dominate? 

2-1 and then Leeds levelled again.  Half time 2-2.

FA NATIONAL YOUTH FUTSAL FESTIVAL 2010

The Football Association will once again be staging the National Youth Futsal Festival in Sheffield at the English Institute for Sport on the 3rd and 4th July 2010.  This will be the fourth year that this showpiece festival in the FA Futsal calendar has been held in Sheffield, and this year will see a number of professional football club academy teams entering the festival for the first time.

The FA National Youth Futsal Festival will see 80 youth teams from across the country playing over the weekend at under 10, under 12, under 14 and under 16 age groups.  These youth teams will travel from all corners of the country after winning their local county Futsal Festival, and then progressing through their Regional Festival to represent their region in the National Finals.  The FA National Youth Futsal Festival celebrates both boys and girls Futsal, with the focus being on enjoyment, skill and fun.

This year will be the first occasion that leading boys and girls’ football academies will be involved in the Festival.  Clubs of the calibre of Manchester United, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United amongst others will join local club Sheffield United in sending their under 10 boys and girls academy teams to take part.  These professional clubs are not only keen to provide an enjoyable football experience for their young players, but are also interested to explore how Futsal can be integrated into their training to support the technical development of their young talent.

“The FA National Youth Futsal Festival is a wonderful occasion that brings together young people from across the country to participate in a game that they love.  The atmosphere of the event is terrific and the young players really thrive at being involved in an FA national event.  This year’s Festival can only be enhanced with the addition of a number of professional football club academies and it is pleasing to see that these clubs are beginning to embrace Futsal.  Futsal is a game that can really play a positive role in assisting the technical development of the young players in this country.”

(Simon Walker, FA National Manager for Small Sided Football)