Another positive year for Suffolk FA as they reflect on a busy 2017

Pictured at the Suffolk FA Youth Conference in December are, left to right, The FA�s National Participation Manager John Folwell, Jodie Allard and James Morley of Suffolk FA, and The FA�s National Respect Project Officer Nathan French. Photos: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

JULY

Volunteers behind delivering Felixstowe & Walton United’s new clubhouse are praised by the club’s chairman Andy Wilding.

Richard Neal is appointed as the new Chief Executive of Suffolk FA. The 34-year-old, who is Youth Sport Manager at Oxfordshire Sport & Physical Activity, will take up his new post in September.

Andy Pearce’s ‘stunning’ photograph of a rainbow is voted as the winner of the Suffolk FA Grassroots Photograph of the Year organised in conjunction with Archant Ltd.

It is announced that Ipswich Town have been successful in their bid to partner with The FA to deliver an elite female Under-21 programme for the region.

Suffolk FA County Cup Competitions Manager Adrian Moye predicts more giant-killing in this season’s matches following the decision to scrap extra time in all competitions.

Suffolk FA Chairman Phil Lawler, centre, presents FA 50-Year Service Awards to Gary Steed, left, and David Porter on the Portman Road pitch in October. Photos: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

AUGUST

The Emirates FA Cup visits Framlingham Town ahead of the club’s first appearance in the competition in their 130-year history.

Ipswich Phoenix FC host a McDonald’s Community Day at Westbourne Academy.

The Power Play rule adopted by the Suffolk FA WAYS League is to be rolled out nationally. The rule, which allows for one additional player for the losing team when the goal difference reaches four goals and a second when it reaches six goals, has been successfully piloted by the league.

Suffolk FA Youth Council members Chay Hathway, left, and Jourdan Kiwomya were among a dozen apprentices taken on by The FA in September. (Image: Archant)

SEPTEMBER

Crown Imperial agree a deal to sponsor the Suffolk FA Youth Cups – boys’ and girls’ competitions from under-12s to under-16s – for the next three seasons.

Referee Paul Quick from Stowmarket is one of 140 cyclists to take part in the ‘Ride to the Somme’ which includes the laying of wreaths on the Football Battalions’ Memorial at Longueval.

The county’s footballers are urged to donate their old boots to players in Africa as Suffolk FA choose to support the Boots2Africa charity as part of their forthcoming ‘Love Football, Live Football’ Week.

Two members of the Suffolk FA youth Council – Jourdan Kiwomya and Chay Hathway – beat off competition from around 500 applicants to be among a dozen apprentices taken on by The FA.

Suffolk FA Life Members Allan Girot received a Lifetime Sporting Achievement Award at the Stars of Suffolk awards ceremony in November. He is pictured above presenting the Suffolk Under-13 Cup to AFC Sudbury (Image: Archant)

OCTOBER

Thurlow FC stalwart Allan Loveday wins the Community Volunteer of the Year at the West Suffolk Sports Awards sponsored by Greene King.

Wickham Market FC are celebrating after winning £3,000 worth of iLites – portable floodlights supplied by Phoenix Sporting Goods.

David Porter and Gary Steed are presented with FA 50-Year Service Awards by county chairman Phil Lawler on the Portman Road pitch before Ipswich Town’s home game against Bristol City.

Ipswich Town players Jordan Spence and Grant Ward help launch ‘Love Football, Live Football’ Week sponsored by MH Goals at Chantry Academy in Ipswich.

Former Ipswich Town Secretary David Rose, left, is interviewed during the Sporting Memories session held at Suffolk FA headquarters in Stowmarket during �Love Football, Live Football� Week in October. Photos: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

The celebration of grassroots football culminates with players from four teams – Brantham Athletic, Coplestonians, Elmswell and Sporting 87 – taking part in two under-7 4v4 matches at half time of the Ipswich Town versus Norwich City derby at Portman Road in front of 25,000 fans.

Globex Freight Management widen their sponsorship of Suffolk FA from the Youth Referees’ Academy to the entire Referee Development Programme.

A total of 23 new grassroots teams will be created in the county thanks to £34,500 worth of investment in the form of Grow the Game grants.

NOVEMBER

Jodie Allard is named as the county’s new Football Development Manager.

Suffolk FA staff are pictured in their Christmas jumpers. They were proud to support this year�s Wolly Pully Week organised by St Elizabeth�s Hospice in December. (Image: Archant)

Suffolk FA bow out of the FA County Youth Cup after losing 4-3 to Cambridgeshire FA in the second round at Histon FC.

Allan Girot, a Life Member of Suffolk FA, receives a Lifetime Sporting Achievement Award for his devotion to football administration at the Stars of Suffolk awards ceremony at Trinity Park.

Ipswich Charioteers FC, Suffolk’s only wheelchair football club, celebrate their tenth anniversary with a showcase event at their Inspire Suffolk training ground.

Needham Market are awarded a grant of £473,792 by the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund towards a brand new all-weather pitch at their Bloomfields ground.

DECEMBER

Delegates are given plenty of food for thought at the second Suffolk FA Youth Conference sponsored by MH Goals Ltd and held at Ufford Park Golf Club.

Suffolk FA invited applications to increase the number of SSE Wildcats Centres in the county to 20.

There are currently four centres which offer girls aged 5-11 their first experience of football in a fun, friendly and safe environment.

Suffolk FA support Woolly Pully Week to raise funds for the St Elizabeth’s Hospice in Ipswich.

HERE’S PART ONE of Suffolk FA’s review of the season