Icknield Youth - 10 year anniversary

Icknield Youth Football Club was formed in the summer of 1998 consisting mainly of children who attended Beecroft Lower School in Dunstable. Enough enthusiastic young players were recruited so as to field three sides in their inaugral season. These were an U8, U9 and an U10 team all registered to play in the Milton Keynes Nursery League. Although the club had three teams, sponsorship from Axle Haulage Ltd to supply all three teams with a kit, and equipment that had been begged, stolen or borrowed from a variety of sources, the club had no pitch to play on. Having tried the local council and schools a playing surface in Dunstable could not be found. A visit to Luton Borough Council was undertaken and the club was allocated a pitch in Icknield Way, Luton. This is where the name 'Icknield Youth' originated from, and not as 'folklore' has it Icknield lower School in Dunstable. The very first season saw the club build its roots with Steve Addlesee as secretary, Pete Burgoyne as his 'right hand man' and future club chairman, Duncan Bedford running the U9 team and Kerry Dixon overseeing anything and everything on the football front. In the not too distant future other important influences on the club such as Lee Connelly, Neville Small and Iain Mills among others were to become involved. That first season saw incredible success on the field with the U8's doing a league and cup double, the U9's gaining success in the cup and the U10's winning the league.

From humble although very succesful beginnings what started out as three teams for the local youngsters suddenly became a huge club attracting players firstly from Luton and surrounding villages, as well as the local Dunstable lads, and within five years players were travelling from the surrounding counties just to play for a club that had built up a massive reputation. In the ensuing years the club won numerous league titles, cups and pre-season tournaments picking up an average of over thirty trophies each season. Within seven years the club were running eighteen teams including one ladies team which unfortunately disbanded midway through the second season of its existence. Several teams went on 'pre season tours' to places such as Somerset, Norfolk, Lancashire, Sussex and even Cornwall and the club won many national titles.

The club over the last two seasons have began restructuring and trimming down the number of teams it runs. Most of the teams were playing on local parks with some fortunate enough to be allocated school pitches. This caused the club a lot of logistical problems with having so many sides, and it was decided to do away with some of the 'b' teams. The club has for a long while tried to purchase land so as to have a home pitch but this search has proved fruitless. In 2003 Dunstable Town F.C. invited Icknield to be its youth arm. Although both parties knew it would be two or three years before this association bore fruit as far as players were concerned the two clubs worked together with a vision for the future. This vision has now become reality with several Icknield players having represented Dunstable Town at 1st team level. Dunstable Towns U18 and reserve sides are predominately made up of ex Icknield Youth players and the clubs sealed its amalgamation in the summer of '07 when Icknield Youth became Dunstable Town Icknield. Lee Connelly's U16s took the step up to become the U18s B team in '08, becoming the first straight progression through every age group with Icknield and Dunstable.

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When new and existing members are a part of the Dunstable Town Icknield Football Club they must adhere to the clubs code of conduct.

The code of conduct is put in place to raise the standard of trust and fairness within the club.

The code of conduct is presented to cover the four main parts of the club.
1. Committee Members
2. Managers
3. Players
4. Spectators / Parents
Each of the above adheres to the code of conduct.

The code of conduct will always be displayed on the club website and issued to all parties on an annual basis.

Any member of the club who infringes the code of conduct will be dealt with in the appropriate manner by the general committee.
CODE OF CONDUCT
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Each committee member will represent the club to the best of their ability.
All committee members will attend meetings when called.
Any tasks set out by The Chairman, Vice Chairman or Secretary will be carried out.
Show respect to all players, managers and spectators.
The expectations of the committee members are to promote the club to its full potential.
To have the safety of all concerned on match days and other club activities.
To treat everyone equally and fairly.
To abide by the rules of the club.

CODE OF CONDUCT
MANAGERS/COACHES
Managers/coaches will represent the club to their full potential.
Managers/coaches must adhere to all guidelines set down by the committee.
Managers/coaches must treat all players under their control equally and fairly.
Managers/coaches must always promote fair play to all players under their control.
Managers/coaches will abide by the rules of the game.
To have completed Level 1 FA coaching badge or higher.
To develop a working relationship with all concerned.
Not to gain any financial reward for their duties.
To abide by the rules of the club.
Refrain from consuming alcohol during any League or Cup matches.
To have clear CRB checks as per the FA guidelines.

To ensure all match results are telephoned to the appropriate league secretary and written match reports are sent to the appropriate league secretary within the timescales set by the league. Notifications of match results must be telephoned to the club press officer and website administrator by 7pm on the day of the match, if it’s a midweek game then this must be no later than the following day.
Do not use inappropriate language or violent / aggressive behaviour.
To attend the monthly managers meetings. If for any reason a manager is unable to attend then their nominated representative should attend on their behalf.
To collect the level of subs agreed by the committee from all players, maintaining accurate records and handing the money and record sheet to the Treasurer at the monthly manager’s meeting or within 7 days of the monthly meeting.
To collect the registration fees agreed by the committee from all players, maintaining accurate records and handing the money and record sheet to the Treasurer by the 30th September. All registration fees must be paid by 31st October for a player signed on at the start of the season. If any registration fees outstanding after 31st October the player will not be able to play until fees are paid.
The managers are responsible for fines received in connection with their team they manage; managers must pay the amount of the fine within the due date as given by the Secretary. Managers have the right to ask the general committee to pay such fines that they feel is not directly their responsibility but the general committees decision is final.

CODE OF CONDUCT
PLAYERS
Make every effort to represent the team he plays for to the best of his ability.
To wear kit, tracksuit/rain jackets to all matches.
Equally accept all the rules of the game.
Treat opponents with grace and fairness.
Do not use inappropriate language or violent / aggressive behaviour.
Have respect for the committee members and managers/coaches in charge of their team.
Show due respect with visiting teams spectators.
Resist any temptation to consume banned substances.
Do not take action to gain an unfair advantage.
To show respect to officials.
To abide by the rules of the club.
To attend training sessions arranged by coaches/managers.

CODE OF CONDUCT
SPECTATORS / PARENTS
To show due respect to their manager/coach.
To represent the club to the best of their ability.
To show due respect to visiting spectators.
To show due respect to match officials.
To show due respect to visiting teams.
To show due respect when visiting opponents venues.
To ensure that subs money (£4) and registration money (£25) are paid in full.
Do not use inappropriate language or violent / aggressive behaviour.
Treat everyone equally and fairly.
To abide by the rules of the club.
Not consume alcohol at league and cup matches.
To vacate the venue if requested to do so by the manager.

© Dunstable Town Football Club 2008/09. Site designed and maintained by Daniel Crooke.