Why would any intelligent person throw their money at these big clubs? They obviously have major issues to work out, and it will all come at the expense of the players-- key word there is EXPENSE. Gunners coach is a great guy, heard is team may come out even stronger due to all the changes. Independent teams are on the rise, and their fees are in the decline!

Any body out there on the fence owes it to their wallet, and more importantly, to their kiddo, to check out some alternatives to this giant mess called big club soccer. Coaches leaving at the drop of a hat, then players suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them, money issues, politics---what kind of examples are those for kids to see? Just because your neighbor/friend is doing it doesn't mean it is the best thing out there for your player. There ARE options.

jimulon6 wrote:Why would any intelligent person throw their money at these big clubs? They obviously have major issues to work out, and it will all come at the expense of the players-- key word there is EXPENSE. Gunners coach is a great guy, heard is team may come out even stronger due to all the changes. Independent teams are on the rise, and their fees are in the decline!

Any body out there on the fence owes it to their wallet, and more importantly, to their kiddo, to check out some alternatives to this giant mess called big club soccer. Coaches leaving at the drop of a hat, then players suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them, money issues, politics---what kind of examples are those for kids to see? Just because your neighbor/friend is doing it doesn't mean it is the best thing out there for your player. There ARE options.

EXACTLY! Just ask the 99 FCD or the 00 Texans. Regarding the 00 Texans, you just have to love when karma plays itselft out!!!!!

Axx- What is going on with the other clubs that are going to be in D1 next year?

jimulon6 wrote:Why would any intelligent person throw their money at these big clubs? They obviously have major issues to work out, and it will all come at the expense of the players-- key word there is EXPENSE. Gunners coach is a great guy, heard is team may come out even stronger due to all the changes. Independent teams are on the rise, and their fees are in the decline!

Any body out there on the fence owes it to their wallet, and more importantly, to their kiddo, to check out some alternatives to this giant mess called big club soccer. Coaches leaving at the drop of a hat, then players suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them, money issues, politics---what kind of examples are those for kids to see? Just because your neighbor/friend is doing it doesn't mean it is the best thing out there for your player. There ARE options.

Ok Mr. Gunners, so if everything is so great over there, the fees are low, the team is on the rise, the coach is great, they are loyal to their players, etc. etc., why would they need any new players to come out?

Do you have a kid that plays? If so, has every kid on that team already signed a contract? Are they all top level players? Do you have the numbers you want going into next season? Do you not want your team to improve, if it can do so? If you can answer yes to all those, close your practices and tune out the outside world. If you can't answer yes to all of those questions, and many more I left out, well, there's your answer. Independents do cut players, and bring on better ones, that is no different than club ball. Indies need to get better, not be complacent, just like any other team. Don't get too literal, let common sense prevail.

CLUB31 wrote:Axx- What is going on with the other clubs that are going to be in D1 next year?

Not real sure but here is the little I know.

7. Comets - good possiblity they lose a couple of their more skilled players which would seriously hurt that team, unless they can recruit talented replacements.
8. FW - No idea, but given their geography, assuming not much movement. The Andro bus simply does not go that far.
9. Barca - Kids are in tae kwon do class as a group and will be receiving green belts in July.
10. CD Chivas - possible shake up, new coach, players, etc.

jimulon6 wrote:Do you have a kid that plays? If so, has every kid on that team already signed a contract? Are they all top level players? Do you have the numbers you want going into next season? Do you not want your team to improve, if it can do so? If you can answer yes to all those, close your practices and tune out the outside world. If you can't answer yes to all of those questions, and many more I left out, well, there's your answer. Independents do cut players, and bring on better ones, that is no different than club ball. Indies need to get better, not be complacent, just like any other team. Don't get too literal, let common sense prevail.

Oh I see, I just thought that it was an Eden over there and the coach was just developing and making those kids so much better that they would all have contracts and all by now.
No, I don't have a kid playing, I just like hanging out in the 99 group of this board trying to cause trouble and have fun. I'm lucky I stumbled onto it by chance.

Oh I see, I just thought that it was an Eden over there and the coach was just developing and making those kids so much better that they would all have contracts and all by now.
No, I don't have a kid playing, I just like hanging out in the 99 group of this board trying to cause trouble and have fun. I'm lucky I stumbled onto it by chance.

That's funny.

Axx-To what team are the Comets losing players?

[quote="jimulon6"]Oh I see, I just thought that it was an Eden over there and the coach was just developing and making those kids so much better that they would all have contracts and all by now.
No, I don't have a kid playing, I just like hanging out in the 99 group of this board trying to cause trouble and have fun. I'm lucky I stumbled onto it by chance.

We don't play gunners, but are acquainted with them, albeit loosely. I am impressed with how well they have faired. I hope many more coaches and parents take a look at something similar, knowing that there are some successes outside big club soccer.

hard to take you serious axxman. people are just saying that you have less politics, more team unity, and coaches actually have a spine and care about the kids. no team is going to be a utopia, however, an independent is several thousand dollars cheaper.
axxman - if andro is such a great place, where are all the great academy teams and why did andro need a $4 million gift?

right on quickfeet!

jimulon6 wrote:Why would any intelligent person throw their money at these big clubs? They obviously have major issues to work out, and it will all come at the expense of the players-- key word there is EXPENSE. Gunners coach is a great guy, heard is team may come out even stronger due to all the changes. Independent teams are on the rise, and their fees are in the decline!

Any body out there on the fence owes it to their wallet, and more importantly, to their kiddo, to check out some alternatives to this giant mess called big club soccer. Coaches leaving at the drop of a hat, then players suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them, money issues, politics---what kind of examples are those for kids to see? Just because your neighbor/friend is doing it doesn't mean it is the best thing out there for your player. There ARE options.

Okay gonna pooh the independant party for just a second. The lack the drama of the big clubs because they don't have the large number of players competing for the few avaliable spots. Take a large influx over to gunners and you will see the drama unfold as suddenly a group of kids who felt safe now begin to wonder if they will have a spot. It's not just the clubs, it's the competition. Everyone wants to be on a top team but not everyone wants open competition for it. Hence drama, political manuvering, angry parents felt they are owed something. Keep it simple and leave it to the play on the field and the drama dies.

Well said. And I don't even feel poo'ed on. i was just saying to axxman that I understood those aspects. In my opinion, those issues just stated would only make the Indy system grow even stronger, and begin to shift the balance of power. There many differences to the 2 options. But some aspects will be part of either option.

go99 wrote:

jimulon6 wrote:Why would any intelligent person throw their money at these big clubs? They obviously have major issues to work out, and it will all come at the expense of the players-- key word there is EXPENSE. Gunners coach is a great guy, heard is team may come out even stronger due to all the changes. Independent teams are on the rise, and their fees are in the decline!

Any body out there on the fence owes it to their wallet, and more importantly, to their kiddo, to check out some alternatives to this giant mess called big club soccer. Coaches leaving at the drop of a hat, then players suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them, money issues, politics---what kind of examples are those for kids to see? Just because your neighbor/friend is doing it doesn't mean it is the best thing out there for your player. There ARE options.

Okay gonna pooh the independant party for just a second. The lack the drama of the big clubs because they don't have the large number of players competing for the few avaliable spots. Take a large influx over to gunners and you will see the drama unfold as suddenly a group of kids who felt safe now begin to wonder if they will have a spot. It's not just the clubs, it's the competition. Everyone wants to be on a top team but not everyone wants open competition for it. Hence drama, political manuvering, angry parents felt they are owed something. Keep it simple and leave it to the play on the field and the drama dies.

Agreed, but the fact is that will never happen because parents think they have to pay to get good coaching, be on a skilled team, and/or to have the opportunities provided by a big club. Are you one of those parents go99?

No I love the independents and particuarly at this age. The Academy league has killed their viability at the older ages but now it is all about coaching. You are right because it is all about club and their kid should be playing on a top team. I have even seen parents willing to leave their kid sitting on the bench as long as he is with the top bench. Now the question is can you find an independent who has great coaching. I can name quite a few big clubs with bad coaching. Let's just say there are more bad coaches than good.

I love all this talk about how great the Gunners are, how well their coach is developing them, and so on, and so on.
They did forget to mention though that they had to hire ML to teach them skills.

Don't all teams have skill sessions with outside coaching? We do. if you're coach isn't, maybe you should get him ML's number.

I think the gunners have a great purpose. They allow multi sport kids the opportunity to keep playing soccer at a high level when many of the other team would frown on it and leave the kids having to make a tough choice that they are not ready to make. Yes they did recieve the special ones magic touch

playhard wrote:I love all this talk about how great the Gunners are, how well their coach is developing them, and so on, and so on.
They did forget to mention though that they had to hire ML to teach them skills.

Sounds like you got your feathers ruffled a little!!!! You are adding words to the posts. I never said that the Gunners are so great, the coaching was great, so on, and so on. Is there any thing wrong with having another person come in and teach the players something different? I thought that was a sign of a good coach knowing when he needs to change things up a little bit. I never heard that having extra training was a bad thing. From what I understand, don't most clubs have a skills director that helps all the club coaches?

jimulon6 wrote:Don't all teams have skill sessions with outside coaching? We do. if you're coach isn't, maybe you should get him ML's number.

If I pay a club coach, why should I have to pay another coach to actually coach my kid. I would have to question "if I am paying you $2000+ then why is this other coach having to do all the actual coaching?" Skills is coaching and if they can't then they aren't. Maybe that's why he is the special one? He is one of the few coaches actually capable of doing his job.

Have to is the wrong phrase, exposure to other coaches and styles for your bb is the important thing. You should want to do that.

quickfeet wrote:

playhard wrote:I love all this talk about how great the Gunners are, how well their coach is developing them, and so on, and so on.
They did forget to mention though that they had to hire ML to teach them skills.

Sounds like you got your feathers ruffled a little!!!! You are adding words to the posts. I never said that the Gunners are so great, the coaching was great, so on, and so on. Is there any thing wrong with having another person come in and teach the players something different? I thought that was a sign of a good coach knowing when he needs to change things up a little bit. I never heard that having extra training was a bad thing. From what I understand, don't most clubs have a skills director that helps all the club coaches?

Isn't the big slogan of independent teams that you can get good quality coaching for less money. So, if you have to bring in a big club coach to teach skills, how can you say that the independent club gives you good coaching? And, by the time you paid big club coach to teach you extra skills, your fees are not that affordable anymore either....

playhard wrote:

quickfeet wrote:

playhard wrote:I love all this talk about how great the Gunners are, how well their coach is developing them, and so on, and so on.
They did forget to mention though that they had to hire ML to teach them skills.

Sounds like you got your feathers ruffled a little!!!! You are adding words to the posts. I never said that the Gunners are so great, the coaching was great, so on, and so on. Is there any thing wrong with having another person come in and teach the players something different? I thought that was a sign of a good coach knowing when he needs to change things up a little bit. I never heard that having extra training was a bad thing. From what I understand, don't most clubs have a skills director that helps all the club coaches?

Isn't the big slogan of independent teams that you can get good quality coaching for less money. So, if you have to bring in a big club coach to teach skills, how can you say that the independent club gives you good coaching? And, by the time you paid big club coach to teach you extra skills, your fees are not that affordable anymore either....

it is exposure to other types of coaching. also, how many team skills sessions do you think you can get for $3000+? You are drinking the club kool-aid!

Playhard love your philisophy , Can't beat the Bandits, so recruit the players and fill their heads with bs about how their 10yr old really needs to develop now so he can go pro, forget about loyalty, fun because we all look back now and say I really wished I would have developed my shot or jumper more as a 10yr old!?!? that would have made the difference. Then jump on here with stupid questions and comments. Where were your posts after they whipped you in the finals a few weeks ago? Oh are you gonna tell me now that those games do not matter, wait tell it really counts kind of thing. Weak!!

To set the record straight, I am a big fan of the independents and have on many occasion stated so. The problem lies within our system, and very few make it in the long term. Andro is by no means perfect an is part of the darkside and the latest fiasco with our team is simply one more example. Am I happy about it, absolutely not. But then again, if my bb is good enough to make this new team, he will be surrounded by top coaching and top competition (of all ages) with the ability to measure up and improve on a regular basis. It's no miracle that younger sibblings are typically more aggressive, hungrier, and in most instances better than their older counter parts, I wonder why? I like what the Gunners are doing but would venture to guess that in two or three years, they will not be a top contender if they are still around. The couple that may still be capable and playing will likely be on one of the big 4.

Love that bandits team, I hope they stay together. BTW the games didn't matter and it only kinda counts in qualifying and then maybe Dallas Cup years. Hope you guys keep kicking everyones butts . We don't look back and remember anything about when we were 10 but the kids who is now a pro did get his development when he was 10. The idea that you can't develope or get good coaching at an independent is wrong. If my BB was a few hours younger the bandits would have definately been a place I would have looked. Stay together (at least until you are 14) and keep it up boys.

Good points, 2-3 yrs seems about right, just not sure I understand the rush at 9-11 yrs old.

Axxman wrote:To set the record straight, I am a big fan of the independents and have on many occasion stated so. The problem lies within our system, and very few make it in the long term. Andro is by no means perfect an is part of the darkside and the latest fiasco with our team is simply one more example. Am I happy about it, absolutely not. But then again, if my bb is good enough to make this new team, he will be surrounded by top coaching and top competition (of all ages) with the ability to measure up and improve on a regular basis. It's no miracle that younger sibblings are typically more aggressive, hungrier, and in most instances better than their older counter parts, I wonder why? I like what the Gunners are doing but would venture to guess that in two or three years, they will not be a top contender if they are still around. The couple that may still be capable and playing will likely be on one of the big 4.

You should be Ice cold because baby axx definately makes this team and he will be better for the competition.

fastfeet wrote:Good points, 2-3 yrs seems about right, just not sure I understand the rush at 9-11 yrs old.

To understand that, you need to look into parental egos