Club news

News

Five VPFC League Teams Kick Off In One Weekend

Last year we launched our league section with a single team. This weekend we took a big step forward: five VPFC league teams all kicked off their seasons — a brilliant milestone with plenty of excitement around the club.

VPFC U11 Victoria

The members of this squad met and decided to form a team at VPFC, but had to move to St Albans Rangers initially as we didn’t have a league section. Now they’ve come home. In their first 9-a-side outing in VPFC colours, the team showed composure in possession, confidence playing back to the keeper under pressure, energetic pressing, and lively wing play. Player of the Match: Ethan for a brave performance in goal.

VPFC U11 Romans

A hugely entertaining match that had parents gripped to the end. With a depleted squad and no substitutes, every player put in a full shift. The group rallied with energy, determination, and togetherness throughout.

VPFC U10 Victoria

A proud first outing for many who are new to competitive football. The team adapted quickly to the faster pace and greater physicality, stuck to their roles well, and showed great attitude throughout. There was even an early “goal of the season” contender — a superb long-range free-kick equaliser that had everyone on their feet.

VPFC U9 Victorians

A composed first half set the platform for confident attacking after the break. Passing patterns were neat, the tracking back and defending were strong, and Luke took Player of the Match for tireless box-to-box work and smart distribution.

VPFC U9 Saints

Our first girls’ team made their competitive debut and embraced the occasion. Two full debutants got valuable minutes as coaches rotated formations to involve everyone. Team spirit was excellent and smiles all round at full time. Alice netted the Saints’ first league goal, and Carmen was awarded Player of the Match by the opposition on her debut.

Thank You

Warm thanks to Cherry Scaffolding, Specsavers St Albans, and Persado for supporting our teams this season and helping to keep costs down for families. We’re also grateful to Royal Mail for a grant towards training tops for two squads. Your support is appreciated as we continue to grow community football in St Albans — always with the emphasis on participation, development, and fun.

News

VPFC Year 1 Shine at London Colney Tournament

Report by Jon Last, Year 1 Co-manager

Date: Saturday, 28th June 2025
Event: London Colney Youth FC Tournament
Team: VPFC Year 1

VPFC Year 1 participated in their first-ever tournament last Saturday in a 6-a-side format, with ten teams split into two groups of five. This was a valuable opportunity for the team to challenge themselves against strong local opposition and gain vital match experience.

Group Stage – Quick Overview

OpponentScoreVPFC Scorers
Birchwood FC3–1Sebastian, Jonathan (2)
Potters Bar Crusaders1–0Jonathan
London Colney Youth1–1Jim
Club SFC0–2—

Group Stage Matches

Match 1: VPFC 3 – 1 Birchwood FC
The team got off to a confident start with an impressive win. Goals came from Sebastian and a brace from Jonathan.

Match 2: VPFC 1 – 0 Potters Bar Crusaders
A close contest saw VPFC edge out a narrow victory, thanks to a composed finish from Jonathan.

Match 3: VPFC 1 – 1 London Colney Youth
Facing the tournament hosts, the team battled hard in a tightly contested match. A superb solo goal from Jim secured a well-earned draw.

Match 4: VPFC 0 – 2 Club SFC
In the final group match, the team faced a strong academy side. Despite creating chances, the match resulted in the team’s only defeat in the group stage.

Semi-Final

VPFC 0 – 3 Potters Bar Crusaders
Finishing second in their group, VPFC advanced to the semi-final. A well-organised Potters Bar side proved too strong. The match ended in a 3–0 loss but the boys showed determination and resilience throughout.

Summary

The team finished the day with two wins, one draw and two defeats. Every player gave maximum effort and walked away with valuable experience and big smiles.

“Great teamwork and energy in 30-degree heat—really proud of the boys today.” – Coach Jon

Squad

Jonathan (C), Sebastian, Jim, George, Lawrence and Gilbert.

News

VPFC joins Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League 🎉

We’re delighted to confirm that VPFC has been accepted into the Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League (HGFPL) — the county’s flagship girls’ competition with 6,000+ registered players and fixtures every Saturday morning.

Why this matters

  • Inclusion first – offering a dedicated girls’ league sits perfectly with our club ethos of equal access and a welcoming environment for every player.
  • Clear pathway – only a year ago we were a primary-age, skills-only club; now a girl can join us in Reception, grow through our Skills programme and move into all-girls league football right through secondary school, all without ever leaving VPFC.
  • Raising our standards – the HGFPL’s size, structure and community focus align with our goal of providing the best local football experience on and off the pitch.

First impressions

Immediately on been accepted, we were invited to the league’s AGM at short notice. John Sparrowhawk, prospective manager of our first girls’ league side, squeezed it into his diary and was blown away by the scale and energy in the room — over 100 club representatives and several new-club applications discussed in a friendly but lively session. A great sign that girls’ football in Hertfordshire is thriving.

Next steps

  • Finalise squad and coaching team for our inaugural HGFPL side (U10s).
  • Arrange league registration and kit ordering in the coming weeks.
  • Keep building girls’ numbers across all age groups – including our brand-new Reception 25/26 intake, where application are currently running 50:50 girls and boys.

“Joining the HGFPL underlines our commitment to inclusivity and growth. We can’t wait to see our first girls’ team run out in VPFC colours next season.”

Gordon Baisley, Chair

Stay tuned for further news and volunteer opportunities. In the meantime, explore the league here:
🔗 HGFPL website

HGFPL
News

VPFC U10s Crown Debut Season with Cup Triumph

The curtain came down on a memorable first campaign for our U10s last weekend as they lifted the Sycamore League Cup at Hertfordshire FA’s County Ground in Letchworth.

VPFC U10s lift the Sycamore League Cup at the Herts FA County Ground

Cup finals day is always special: individual changing rooms, a tunnel walk-out and a sizeable, good-natured crowd gave the occasion a professional feel. The opponents were the well-drilled Watton Sharks, and the match lived up to the billing.

VPFC fell behind early, but steady pressure and some neat passing saw the boys turn the tide and enter the latter stages in the lead. With just a couple of minutes to play the Sharks levelled, hinting at the drama of penalties. Instead, a thumping finish from VPFC in the dying seconds settled it, sparking blue-and-yellow celebrations on and off the pitch.

Every single player played out of their skins, capping a debut season in which the team has grown in confidence week by week. Huge congratulations to the squad, coaches and travelling supporters — silverware in year one is quite a statement.

Roll on next season!

News

A New Era for Our Club: VPFC to Become St Albans United and Register as a Charity

Since its founding, VPFC has always been about more than just football. It has been built on a vision of inclusivity, community, and providing opportunities for children to play sport regardless of background or ability. Now, as the club continues to grow and evolve, we’re taking two significant steps to secure its future:

✅ We are becoming a registered charity
✅ We are rebranding as St Albans United

These changes will strengthen our long-term sustainability, unlock new funding opportunities, and make our club more representative of the whole St Albans community.

Our History: From Local Initiative to Citywide Club

VPFC was founded by a group of local parents who had four core ambitions:

✔️ Encouraging families to use Victoria Playing Fields – At the time, it was underused and even considered for development. Once built on, a community green space would be lost forever.

✔️ Getting children active – Creating a space for kids to enjoy football, play outdoors, and engage in sport.

✔️ Inclusivity and accessibility – Ensuring the club was open to all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, financial circumstances, or football ability.

✔️ Building community connections – Helping local parents and children form friendships and strengthen ties within the area.

These values remain at the heart of the club today.

VPFC has always been a volunteer-run club, focused on community good rather than profit. We’ve deliberately kept membership fees as low as possible, ensuring that football is accessible to as many children as we can accommodate. Until now, we’ve never needed to change our organisational structure, but with the club’s growth and increasing financial responsibilities, the time is right to evolve.

Why Are We Becoming a Charity?

As VPFC has grown from a small group at Victoria Playing Fields into a multi-site club with over 300 players, a Skills and League section, and six playing locations, our financial and organisational needs have increased. Registering as a charity offers us several key benefits:

💰 Financial Benefits & Funding Opportunities

  • Access to grants and funding – Many funding streams are only available to registered charities, allowing us to secure better facilities and equipment.
  • Gift Aid on donations – This allows us to reclaim an extra 25p for every £1 donated, making every contribution go further.

🏆 Protecting the Club’s Future

  • Charitable status ensures club assets are safeguarded and used solely for community benefit.
  • Becoming a charity ensures long-term sustainability while keeping our ethos intact.

📢 Reputation & Community Recognition

  • Charitable status enhances public trust and increases sponsorship appeal.
  • It aligns us with FA best practices, reinforcing our reputation as a well-run grassroots football club.

Why the Name Change? Why St Albans United?

Registering as a charity requires us to confirm a formal name, making this the perfect moment to evolve our identity.

VPFC was named after Victoria Playing Fields, where the club was founded. However, today, we operate across multiple locations, including Normandy Road, The Brickie, Harpenden Rugby Club, STAGS, and Woollams Playing Fields. Our name no longer represents our club as a whole.

Why “St Albans United”?

🔹 Represents the whole city – For families joining from across St Albans, this name makes it clear who we are and where we’re based. It also helps away teams instantly recognise where they’re travelling to for league fixtures.

🔹 Captures our club ethos – “United” signifies inclusivity, teamwork, and community spirit—values that have always defined us.

🔹 Eliminates confusion – Over the years, VPFC has been referred to as Victoria Playing Fields FC, VPFC, Victoria Park and more. This name ensures clarity and consistency.

🔹 Future-proofs the club – While football is at our core, St Albans United allows for potential future expansion into other sports.

What Happens to VPFC as a Name?

We know VPFC is a name with history and identity, and we want to ensure it remains part of our club.

When you register a charity, you must choose a Main Name—this is the official name of the organisation. However, charities can also register Working Names to allow for continued use of existing branding where appropriate.

✔️ Our Main Name will be St Albans United.
✔️ Our Working Names will include:

  • St Albans United Football Club
  • St Albans United FC
  • Victoria Playing Fields Football Club
  • VPFC

This ensures that all relevant names remain valid during our transition and helps maintain continuity while we move forward.

Our Website and New Domain

As part of our transition to St Albans United, our charity will operate online using the domain http://www.stalbansunited.org.

This domain is owned and managed by St Albans United (the registered charity) and will become the club’s primary website and email domain.

At the moment, stalbansunited.org redirects to our existing website at vpfc.org.uk while we complete our transition and rebrand. Over the coming months we will gradually update the website to reflect the St Albans United name and branding.

In time, stalbansunited.org will fully replace vpfc.org.uk as our main website address, although the VPFC domain may continue to redirect so that people can still find us during the transition.

What Happens Next?

We will gradually transition to the new name over the coming months, with the aim of fully reflecting our new identity across the website, branding, and club materials in time for next season.

We hope you’ll be pleased with these changes and help support us in getting the new name known across the St Albans community. Stay tuned for further updates soon!

Final Thoughts & How You Can Help

This is a huge milestone for our club, ensuring we remain sustainable, inclusive, and at the heart of our community. If you have any thoughts or would like to get involved in the transition, speak to your year group coaches or reach out to us directly.

🔜 Next Steps:
📢 Website, branding, and club materials will begin transitioning to St Albans United.
⚽ We’ll continue doing what we do best – offering great football for all!

Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter. Here’s to the future of St Albans United!

News

A Fortnight of Firsts: New Ground, New League Team, First Mixed Team

If this first month of 2025 is anything to go by, it’s clear that VPFC is set for another fantastic year of growth and achievement. We’re thrilled to share three exciting firsts that have kicked off our year in style:

  • Our first league matches played at The Woollams Playing Fields
  • The debut match for our second league team, VPFC U8 Victorians
  • The launch of our first mixed team

Both our existing U10 league team and our brand-new U8 team played their first matches at Woollams last weekend, a major milestone for VPFC. This marks the culmination of a year-long search for a league home and months of discussions with OA Sport, who are responsible for the site. I couldn’t be prouder to have Woollams serve as our home for league football – it’s a fantastic location!

  • Our U10 Team

The Woollams Playing Fields were created when the Woollams Trust converted 73 acres of the Cheapside Farm, off Harpenden Road, into purpose-built sports facilities. At the time of its creation, it was the largest single-site sports facility in Europe. With underground drainage and laser-levelled pitches, Woollams offers some of the best playing surfaces around. I firmly believe we now have the finest home pitches in the league.

While this is an exciting step forward, it’s also a trial period for both OA Sport and ourselves. Reaching this point involved OA Sport conducting thoughtful consultation with multiple stakeholders, including the three other sports clubs that already operate at the site—Rugby, Cricket, and Tennis – along with St Albans School and their groundskeeping staff. While this season is a trial, I’m optimistic this is the beginning of a lasting and fruitful partnership. To help strengthen that relationship, I encourage everyone attending league matches at Woollams to go out of your way to make a positive impression—let’s ensure VPFC is recognised as an asset to the site and its community.

Another major milestone for the club is the debut of our U8 league team, VPFC U8 Victorians, led by Allister Manson. If you haven’t already ready the match report by our Treasurer, Mike Hillary, I’d encourage you to do so, it follows this article in our news feed. It’s brilliant to see a second team taking to the pitch in our first year of launching a league section. What makes this even more special is that it’s our first-ever mixed team.

  • Photos from our U8’s match

Although we’ve always been a mixed club, the reality is that our female player numbers have historically been much lower than our male numbers. While many talented female players have come through VPFC, their transition to league football has until now meant individuals finding places at other clubs on their own. Before now, none of our VPFC groups had launched a girls’ or mixed team.

We’ve worked hard over the years to welcome more female players and coaches to VPFC, and the launch of the Victorians is a meaningful step towards a more balanced and inclusive future. I’m confident this team will inspire others and attract more girls to the club. Hopefully, this is the first of many mixed and girls’ teams we’ll see playing in VPFC colours.

Congratulations to everyone involved in these wonderful firsts. I look forward to following the progress of all our teams in the weeks and months ahead!

Gordon Baisley

Chairman

News

VPFC U8 Victorians Make Their League Debut

Mike Hillary, our Treasurer and U8 team manager, shares the story of VPFC U8 Victorian’s first league outing against Wheathampstead Wanderers in a high scoring match.

The eagerly awaited league debut for VPFC U8 Victorians finally arrived, with the team stepping onto the pitch in the Herts Youth League for the very first time. Facing a seasoned Wheathampstead Wanderers side that has been playing together since September, this was a big moment for the club, marking a number of exciting milestones. Not only was it our first U8 league fixture, but it was also the club’s first-ever mixed team, featuring two girls and five boys. Juli proudly captained the team, leading from the back.

U8 Victorians: (from left to right) Theo, Nico, Luke, James, Alex, Claudia, Juli.

The game could not have started more dramatically. Straight from the kick-off, VPFC seized possession, surged forward, and scored within the first 10 seconds! James wrote his name into the history books as VPFC U8’s first-ever goal scorer, banishing any doubts about whether we would find the net.

As the game settled into a rhythm, Wheathampstead equalised and the match turned into a fiercely competitive encounter. James was on fire, completing a stunning first-quarter hat trick, although the opposition struck back with goals of their own. By the end of the first quarter, both the supporters’ and coaches’ nerves were well and truly tested.

The second quarter was tighter, with Nico’s tenacious tackling holding off the opposition. Wheathampstead managed to score again, but not before Claudia delivered a brilliant assist for James’ fourth goal of the morning. Luke and Claudia continued to pile on the pressure, showcasing their attacking prowess, but luck wasn’t quite on their side this quarter.

In the second half, James moved into goal, making way for Alex to demonstrate his attacking threat outfield. Claudia’s determination paid off as she netted a well-deserved goal, and Theo added his name to the scoresheet with an excellently taken strike. The defensive efforts of Juli, the team’s captain, helped secure a clean sheet for the third quarter. With five changes in the lead throughout the game, it was still all to play for in the final quarter.

As the final quarter kicked off, Theo took over in goal, with James resuming his midfield duties. Nico and Juli remained solid in defence, enabling the team to push forward. Luke, Claudia, and Alex kept testing the opposition goalkeeper with shot after shot. Wheathampstead found the net again, proving just how competitive the league will be this season. Claudia’s relentless pressure up front was rewarded with her second goal of the match, and Alex delivered a stunning strike that looked to put VPFC in control. However, Wheathampstead responded with one final goal, capping off a thrilling contest.

Every player gave their all in what was a brilliant team performance. James led the way with four goals, while Claudia’s brace underlined the threat she posed throughout. Luke and Alex were constant dangers down the wings, Nico and Juli stood firm at the back, and Theo and Alex added two excellent goals. The team demonstrated fantastic resilience, coming from behind four times, and played with smiles on their faces and respect for the opposition and referee.

The debut match sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting season for the U8 Victorians.

News

VPFC Under 7s Shine at Herts Youth League Festival

As part of our new relationship with the Herts Youth League (HYL), we’ve been exploring new opportunities for our young players. One of the things that piqued our interest was the HYL Under 7 Festivals — a fantastic pathway towards league football for our Year 2 players. The festivals, organised every 3 weeks or so up to Christmas in Year 2, are designed to give young players a taste of competitive matches while still keeping the focus on fun and development. For many of our players, these events offer an exciting glimpse into the world of league football, giving them the chance to experience competitive football without having to commit to playing every weekend and training during the week.

While the match scores aren’t officially recorded at this level, it’s no secret that the children (and parents!) usually keep track. For VPFC, with us still finding our way in supporting those interested in transitioning to league football, it’s always good to know how our teams are shaping up against others in the area. And judging by the feedback from this festival – the report following from our Year 2 Group’s Manager, Neil Harrison – we have every reason to be proud!

⚽️ U7 Festival Report ⚽️

On Saturday, Year 2 participated in their first Herts Youth League Festival, hosted by Wheathampstead Wanderers. This was the first opportunity for a group of players who have been with our skills setup for the past two seasons to test themselves against some strong local teams.

The team played four matches—against St Albans City, Wheathampstead Wanderers, Bengeo, and Bury—with every player giving their best and enjoying themselves along the way. What’s even better? We won all four games!

Here’s a quick summary of the day’s action:

  • 1-0 vs St Albans City: A closely fought game, sealed with a brilliant link-up between Robbie and Calum for a fantastic goal.
  • 2-0 vs Wheathampstead Wanderers Pumas: Elliott and Robbie were on fire, both netting beautiful goals.
  • 9-0 vs Bengeo Caspians: A goalfest! Hat-tricks from Calum and Finlay, a brace from Jude, and a goal with an assist by Ted led the way.
  • 3-0 vs Bury Stripes: A strong defensive display from Jesse and excellent team play all around capped off the day with goals from Ralph, Ted, and Robbie.

The afternoon was topped off by an impressive feat—we didn’t concede a single goal! But most importantly, the team had loads of fun, which was the true highlight of the day.

News

Match Report: VPFC U10 vs AFC Walkern U10

Charles Whitehead, Manager of our new U10 League team, provides a match report for the team’s second match.

Saturday 14 September saw matchday 2 of VPFCs inaugural season as a fully fledged league club and another milestone; our first ever home fixture.

After a 3 – 0 away defeat against seasoned opposition at Wheathampstead in our first fixture we were eager to get going again. The sun was shining, the grass freshly cut and the lines marked ready to go at Aboyne Lodge on Normandy Road, our current home.

This weeks opposition AFC Walkern U10.

The first few minutes were scrappy as both teams settled into the game with lots of possession turnover and a few wayward passes. VPFC finally settled into a good rhythm in the latter parts of the quarter putting some smart passing together and at last the breakthrough came. Pushing into the oppositions penalty area Magnus found his way past two players and an oncoming goalkeeper to slot the ball into the back of the net. 1 – 0 VPFC and our first ever league goal! The rest of the quarter was well managed with William and Callan marshalling the defence and Gabriel a tower of strength in goal while Alex worked tirelessly up and down the pitch to reinforce the defence and provide support to the forward line.

Quarter two and AFC Walkern came out all guns blazing looking for the equaliser. There was little between the teams all quarter until a rasping shot from distance. Sammy, our new goalkeeper, did a brilliant job to get to it as it sailed toward the top corner but the force of the shot saw it creep into the net 1 -1. VPFC had chances. A first time goalbound shot from Albert from a delightful cross was blocked and James menaced their defence to create more chances while our the defence and midfield kept Walkern quiet

HT VPFC 1 -1 AFC Walkern

The second half was all to play for. Quarter three was another tight affair. We were playing with more fluidity going forward but slightly susceptible at the back to fast counter attack. Reuban took over in goal and was a real positive presence managing his defence well and organising Gabriel and Daniel as they formed a new defensive partnership. Ultimately Walkern punished us for not clearing our defence with a clinical finish to make it 1 – 2. The goal seemed to wake us up as we pushed hard for an equaliser. And it came deep into the quarter as Evan and Magnus teamed up brilliantly, Magnus pushing the ball forward for Evan to control and score 2 – 2.

The final quarter saw chances at both end of the pitch, Our defence was looking more settled, well covered by the midfield and we remained a real threat at the top of the pitch. As the minutes ticked down, Walkern had a spell of pressure and a big warning as they hit the post from an attack, looking particularly dangerous from corners. And so it came to be. WIth around 3 minutes left on the clock a well struck corner was neatly turned into the goal. 2 – 3 Walkern. A huge push for an equaliser came but it wasn’t to be.

FT VPFC 2 – 3 AFC Walkern

So close to our first points of the season, but the team did us proud as we continue the learning curve of league football and gave us a bucketload of confidence that we can really compete in this league.

Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s journey in this exciting new chapter for VPFC! For those still enjoying the fun and inclusive nature of our Skills section, don’t worry – our core focus remains on developing football skills in a non-competitive, enjoyable environment.

Let’s keep cheering on the U10s and supporting all of our players across the club!

News

Celebrations to end our 23/24 season

Our 23/24 season drew to a close last weekend and what another great season we’ve had!  

Each year group held a prize giving where we acknowledged how our players have progressed throughout the year and awarded medals and trophies for their efforts. We also took time to thank all of our volunteer head coaches and coaches for running brilliant sessions week in week out for the children. 

We then gathered as a whole club to celebrate some amazing achievements from this season. We have seen record numbers of players at VPFC this year, and our club has only been able to grow because of the fantastic support from our volunteers. 

We continuously want to grow the number of girls at our club and we’re delighted that we have a record number of girls at VPFC this season as well. Because of this we have been able to enter our first girls team in tournaments during this season.  

Every year, a number of league teams are formed at the end of the season, seeing groups of children leave VPFC with coaches to form a team and play in a local league. This year we see 6 teams form and we wish them all the best playing in their new teams.  

We now break for the summer and look forward to another fantastic season when we start back on 7th September. 

News

Year 5 vs Year 6 Friendly Tournament

On Saturday 6th July, rather than having a normal training session, our Year 5 and Year 6 groups embarked on a friendly tournament at Normandy Road. Despite the pouring rain, all the coaches were so impressed by the commitment all of the children showed.  

The children displayed great talent, team work and support throughout the tournament. As such we had three absolutely thrilling games. The nail biting final game, between a Year 6 team and a Year 5 team, ended up in a draw, where they became joint winners. 

The children had a fantastic time and it was a great way to end this seasons training session.

Thanks to Year 5 and Year 6 coaches for organising a great morning for these children. 

News

VPFC Girls Teams Compete in the Berkhamsted Tournament

The VPFC girls’ football program has seen significant growth, leading to an exciting milestone: two teams (Year 2 and Year 5) competed in their first competitive matches at the Berkhamsted Tournament.

Pictured above the Y2 and Y5 teams and coaches (left) – just look at that enthusiasm from Alice (centre in goalie gloves)! The Y2 girls receiving their medals (right).

U10 Girls Team: A Promising Debut

The VPFC U10 girls’ team displayed incredible enthusiasm and determination in their debut tournament.

  • First Game: The girls started strong with a 0-0 draw. Despite being the better team, they couldn’t break through the opposition’s defence. Alicia played a pivotal role in midfield, creating several great through balls for Eliza, who came close to scoring.
  • Second Game: Another solid 0-0 draw. Bea had her best performance in midfield, while Mabel was a key player all over the pitch.
  • Third Game: The team celebrated their first win! Lottie scored a goal with a well-timed run from defence, and strong performances from Valé and Erin rounded out the line-up.
  • Final Game: Facing the toughest team in the group, the girls unfortunately lost 4-0.

Overall, the U10 girls delivered a commendable performance, finishing 3rd out of 5 in their league and narrowly missing the playoffs by goal difference. A fantastic effort for their first taste of competitive football.

U7 Girls Team: Battling Against Older Competition

The VPFC U7 girls entered an U8 competition, facing teams mostly composed of older players with more league experience.

  • First Game: Neus made some great saves in goal, while Julie, Alice, and Amelie provided solid defence. Sophie, Claudia, and Emmeline were a constant attacking threat. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, earning the girls their first point in competitive play.
  • Second Game: Fresh legs from Eve and Florence in midfield, alongside excellent defending from Julie and Neus (now playing outfield), led to a hard-fought match. Despite their efforts, the girls lost 1-0 to a late goal.
  • Games 3 and 4: The coach experimented with new formations and positions, resulting in close defeats but valuable learning experiences for the team.
  • Final Two Games: Against the top two teams, some of whom were up to two years older, the girls showed great resilience. Though they didn’t end on a high note, their effort against stronger, more experienced opposition was commendable.

Despite the challenges, the U7 girls demonstrated significant potential and should be proud of their performance against older teams. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for future success.

Is this the first glimpse of some future Lionesses? Keep watching this space for more exciting updates!

News

Year 3 at Welwyn Garden City Tournament

On 16th June our Year 3 group took 3 teams of 7 to play at the Welwyn Garden City Youth FC’s 5-a-side tournament.

The children soaked up the experience of playing in a tournament, and have to be commended for giving their absolute best whilst having lots of fun. They fully embraced our club ethos of having fun, supporting and encouraging each other and working as a team, winning and losing together.

Whilst the results weren’t all in our favour, all of the children put their hearts and souls into the games and they had a fantastic day out. 

We had great support from our parents, who cheered the children on throughout and gave some brilliant feedback afterwards on how well organised and run the tournament was, which included:

“A great experience for them and wonderful to see them giving their best whilst having fun”

“Thank you coaches for all your work putting together…a really lovely experience for them all”

“Thank you and well done to all involved. Great afternoon”

Well done to all of Year 3 for a brilliant tournament! 

News

VPFC’s Triumphant Return: St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament 2024

This year’s St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament was an event filled with excitement and determination for our club. After last year’s challenging experience, where we lost every game playing in an age group a year above, our young players returned this year with a renewed spirit and determination to improve. 

Format and Performance

We entered two under-7 teams into the tournament, the Lions and the Tigers,  who were both eager to make it out of the group stages. Each team played five group games, and both successfully qualified for the semi-finals, showcasing remarkable improvement and teamwork along the way. 

Semi-Final Thrills

In a thrilling semi-final, the Lions demonstrated immense courage, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 after extra time. Their resilience and fighting spirit were genuinely inspiring. Meanwhile, the Tigers overcame a strong team, winning 4-1 to set up a VPFC derby in the final!

The final itself was a cagey affair, but the Tigers won to bring home our first piece of silverware, marking a significant achievement for our club.

Highlights of the Day

– Jack Attack: Scored a stunning hat trick, leading the line with his outstanding performance

– Charlie: Scored a brace in the semi-final, one with each foot. 

– Isa and Ethan: Made crucial saves in goal, showcasing their sharp reflexes and composure under pressure.

– Idris: Delivered a rocket free kick in the semi-final, a moment reminiscent of David Beckham’s legendary strikes.

– Zander and Emilio Delap: Displayed brave defending, holding the line with their tenacity and resilience.

– Oscar and Percy: Showed silky skills, dazzling the opponents and spectators alike with their dribbling and footwork.

– George and Elijah: Scored important goals that contributed significantly to the team’s success.

– Ibrahim: Provided great assists, setting up his teammates with precision and vision.

Moreover, all 12 players gave 100% commitment and worked tirelessly as a team, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Special Thanks

A special mention goes to the VPFC families for their fantastic support and encouragement. The positive energy and cheering from the sidelines truly spurred all the boys on, making a significant difference in their performance.

The St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament 2024 was a memorable event for our club. The progress made by our young players, the excitement of the matches, and the joy of bringing home silverware all contributed to an unforgettable experience. We are incredibly proud of our teams and look forward to many more successes in the future. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible!

News

Our Y2 Kids at the Letchworth Eagles U7 Football Tournament

On Sunday, June 9th, a dozen of our Year 2 kids embarked on an exciting journey to the Letchworth Eagle U7 Football Tournament. For most of these young players, it was their first experience of participating in a football tournament. The event was a fantastic opportunity for them to build their experience and confidence, and they certainly rose to the challenge!

Rising to the Challenge

The tournament was a large, well-organized event featuring teams from all over Hertfordshire. Our kids played 5-a-side football, which provided a great platform for them to showcase their skills and teamwork. The event was led by our dedicated Y2 head coach, Chris, who has been instrumental in nurturing the talents of our young players.

Team Spirit and Progress

We entered two teams into the tournament, each playing four matches. The progression of both teams was remarkable, with each game boosting their confidence and honing their abilities. Despite the mixed results – winning some, drawing some, and losing some – the kids demonstrated incredible growth and sportsmanship.

Highlights of the Day

One of the highlights of the day was seeing the kids’ enthusiasm and determination. They scored (and saved) some fantastic goals in the later matches, a testament to their growing confidence and improved teamwork. The atmosphere was electric, and it was heartwarming to see the kids supporting each other and celebrating every small victory.

A Memorable Finish

As the tournament drew to a close, the moment that stood out was the medal ceremony. When our teams took to the podium to receive their medals, the announcer declared them his favourite group of the day. Their joy and excitement during the podium celebration were infectious, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead

The Letchworth Eagle U7 Football Tournament was a significant milestone for our Year 2 kids. It provided them with valuable experience and a chance to develop their skills in a competitive yet supportive environment. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the progress they made throughout the tournament.

This experience has undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for their future in football. We look forward to more tournaments and opportunities where our young stars can continue to shine and make us proud.

Thank you to all the parents, supporters, and especially Coach Chris and Coach Ross for making this day possible. Here’s to many more successful and enjoyable tournaments in the future!

News

VPFC Kids Shine as Guard of Honour at St Albans FC Game Against Truro City FC

The Event

March 16, 2024, marked a special day for Victoria Playing Fields Football Club’s (VPFC) young players. Organized by Chris Hawkins, the Y2 group had the honor of being the guard of honour at a St Albans FC match against Truro City FC. Despite St Albans FC‘s narrow 2-1 defeat, the event was a hit, focusing on unity, joy, and community support.

[ Match Report ]

Highlights of the Day

The day was packed with memorable activities. Our kids took pride in forming the guard of honour and running around the pitch at half-time. These moments went beyond football, showcasing a sense of belonging and collective excitement.

While the kids enjoyed meeting Sammy the Saint, the day was more about coming together as a club, supporting our local team, and having a fantastic time. It was these experiences, full of laughter and shared joy, that made the day truly special for everyone at VPFC.

A Community Effort

This experience offered the VPFC kids a glimpse into the larger football community, allowing them to see their role models up close and dream big. With over 40 children participating in their VPFC kits, the day underscored the club’s spirit and communal bond.

Gratitude

A heartfelt thanks to Chris Hawkins for orchestrating this memorable day. Events like these reinforce our love for football and highlight the importance of our place within the VPFC family.

News

VPFC U7 girls take on Harpenden Colts A team

Our U7 girls took part in their second friendly match against a Harpenden Colts girls’ team on Saturday the 11th November 2023 at the Harpenden Town Stadium in front of a sell out crowd of 5 dads, 5 mums and 1 dog.

The team of Jessica, Neus, Georgina, Ava, Claudia, Sophie and Alice were taking on the A team from Harpenden this time but acquitted themselves brilliantly and showed how much they’ve improved. An early goal for Harpenden was equalised by a full length of the pitch dribble and shot by Claudia. The whole team then ran back the full length of the pitch to celebrate their first competitive goal!!

The second half was just as entertaining with great teamwork and many chances to score at both ends. All our goalkeepers were brilliant and much improved but a special mention to Jessica who saved with every part of body including her face and carried on after a short break. Great resilience!! Harpenden Colts took the lead again in the second half but after many near misses Georgina got VPFC on the scoresheet for a second time after some real intensity in their play in the final quarter. A great comeback, team spirit and refusing to give up gave VPFC a well earned 2-2 draw.

Well done girls – a fantastic performance from all.

News

U7 Girls Shine in First Friendly vs St Albans City

Saturday 14th October 2023
Author: Mike Hillary

Our U7 girls took part in their first friendly match against a St Albans City girls’ team on Saturday the 14th October 2023.

The team of Jessica, Carmen, Neus, Georgina, Ava, Claudia, Sophie and Alice were taking on a more experienced team who are already playing league games. With some of our girls only taking up football 5 weeks previous this was a fantastic performance that showed how hard they’re trying in training and learning really quickly in a game situation – the improvement even within this match from the first quarter to the last was incredible.

As a team they kept trying, some crunching tackles(!), working hard for each other and at least Alice and Sophie were unlucky not to get a goal for us against a very good goalkeeper and some woodwork! It was really nice to see them apply some of the skills they’ve been practising with stepovers, drag backs and even a Cruyff turn thrown into their performance. The most pleasing part for the parents and the coaching team was they all enjoyed themselves, despite conceding a few early goals, and kept passing, tackling and dribbling right until the very end of the 4th quarter. Standout performances from Jessica in goal and Sophie in midfield deserve a special mention.

Well done to the whole team on a fantastic performance.

News

From VPFC to League Football: Watching Our Former Players Thrive

As this time of year, the Herts Youth League season is winding down, and the thrill of the Cup Finals takes centre stage. Last weekend, the finals for the five Under 11 leagues unfolded at Herts FA’s County Ground in Letchworth.

I was lucky enough to be there to watch my son, Euan, and his team, St Albans City Youth – Romans, compete in the Larch division final. Just a stone’s throw away, on the neighbouring pitch, St Albans Rangers – Victoria were limbering up for their Oak division final.

Looking out at the two teams, I was struck at how many of these young players started out with us at VPFC, before going on to develop their skills and love for the game elsewhere. In fact, six of the thirteen Romans players first played football with us at VPFC. And the Rangers team? They were all VPFC players just last year and moved together to create a new league team. It was pretty impressive and exciting stuff to see them reach the final in their very first season in the league.

But the story goes beyond just these two teams. Having coached our U11 group until this year, I know the journeys of children from that group best. We’ve seen our players move on to various other local teams within St Albans. Five more of our alumni now play for St Albans City Youth’s West team; we also have former players at East, Central, and two of the girls’ teams; as well as Harvesters and Wheathampstead Wanderers.

The finals were a treat to watch. The Romans, trailing 1-0 at half-time, produced a near flawless second half to win 5-1 with some cracking goals. The Oak final was a tense and exciting game with Rangers ultimately coming out as 3-2 winners.

One of the things we’re most proud of at VPFC is how many of our players choose to take their footballing journey further. It’s why we’ve set up what I think is one of our best initiatives in recent years – our feeder club relationship with St Albans Rangers. In the past, families who wanted to progress to league football had to figure it out on their own. Now, we have a feeder relationship in place with Rangers where they will provide pitches, support and structure for any group of VPFC players that want to move together to form a new team.

That’s not to say we’re changing our focus at VPFC. We’re all about being a friendly, fun and inclusive football club for the local community. That’s perfect for many of our players. They come along, enjoy their Saturday session, and that’s just right for them.

But for those who decide they’re ready for something more, our link with Rangers offers a clear pathway into league football. And what’s great about this is that it doesn’t have to be a one-way street. Families can move to Rangers when they feel ready, and if they ever decide they want to return to the more relaxed VPFC setup, we’ll welcome them back with open arms.

Currently there is at least one ex-VPFC team at St Albans Rangers in every year group from U8 to U12. We think the more the relationship grows the better it gets. Luke Firmin, the manager of the current U8 team is already envisaging how he’d work together with a second team in his year. There is the opportunity to combine training, reducing costs and sharing planning time. Luke also envisions two teams working together as a squad, with players able
to move between teams to play in the team that best suits them.

As we approach the end of the current season, now’s the time to think about what you’d like to do now and beyond. Across several of our year groups there are considerations of possible league teams being formed now or in future years. Share your thoughts on our chat groups to help stimulate the conversations.

News

A Memorable Mascot Experience for VPFC Kids at St Albans FC’s Match against Dover Athletic

On Saturday, 25th March, Victoria Playing Fields Football Club (VPFC) had a fantastic opportunity to participate in a thrilling event with our local semi-professional team, St Albans FC, also known as the “Saints”. The young football enthusiasts from VPFC were invited to be mascots and form part of the guard of honour for the Saints in their match against Dover Athletic at Clarence Park Stadium.

Despite some concerns about the weather, the day remained relatively dry with even a few glimpses of sunshine. The match drew a great turnout, with over 2000 people in attendance which not only contributed to the great atmosphere but also a record in exceeding 2000 attendee’s twice this season (the first in their history). This attendance included more than 35 girls and boys from VPFC, proudly wearing their full club kit. The girls from our club received a special mention from the commentator, who dubbed them “Lionesses”.

This amazing opportunity was organized by Chris Hawkins (Head Coach, Y1) and the rest of the Y1 coaching team. Both parents and children had a fantastic time at the game, creating memories that will last a lifetime. My own son was eagerly counting down the days leading up to the game, and I know many other kids shared his excitement. Many children, including my own, described the day as “the best day ever”. Their excitement at being mascots was only increased by the St Albans City FC team holding out for a 1-0 win at home.

The remarkable turnout of VPFC members at the game highlights the sense of community that our club fosters. It’s important to remember that our club is run by volunteers, who are committed to creating a positive and engaging experience for all the children involved, why not come volunteer with us?

St Albans City v Dover Athletic – 25th March 2023