Steve Tuck - Players' Profiles

BLAKE HEWITT
(Goal Keeper)

Blake has developed into a very capable goalkeeper this season. Physically strong, having grown considerably in stature, there is not another ‘keeper in our age-group who I’d rather have in my team. Although quietly spoken, Blake is a self-assured, confident young man and that confidence permeates into the team’s defence in front of him. Good on both sides, Blake positions himself well between the posts, has a sure pair of hands and distributes the ball quickly and efficiently, to rapidly turn defence into attack. Although a great goal stopper, one of Blake’s highlights was scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Downham ‘B’ in the 2004-05 Sub. Cup Final.

ALISTAIR FARTHING
(Defender)

Alistair is a mobile, energetic fullback; a versatile, solid performer, capable of playing on either side of the defence. This gives the team balance as well as a valuable range of defensive options. His positional awareness and sense of where the dangers lie when the team is under pressure, has improved enormously. Quick and alert, Alistair is a key part of our solid back four. He is snappy in the tackle and when in possession he passes the ball out of defence really well, linking the play into midfield and then getting forward to support the attack down the flanks as the team breaks forward.

JAMES STORK
(Defender / Midfielder)

James is a strong, resilient and hard-tackling right-sided defender. He has worked hard on his game and his improvement over the previous season is striking. He now performs with a consistency rarely seen in player of his age. He is calm on the ball and always tries to use it to good effect, linking well with the triangle on the team’s right flank. James knows his job in the team’s defence. He sticks to his task and carries it out in a determined manner, which makes him a very valuable team player and a real tough competitor.

BEN COOTE (CAPT.)
(Defender)

Ben, the team's captain, is a big, solid, capable, left footed central defender. The timing of his tackling is often impeccable. He is towering in the air and the quality of his distribution is such that he can get the team on the attack in an instant. Also, his surging runs into midfield and beyond are difficult for opponents to contain. Ben is a good communicator, a team player throughout; he is a natural leader and inspires his team mates by his drive and commitment to the cause. Ben can hit the ball well with both feet and is dangerous from anywhere within shooting distance of the opponent’s goal.

ALEX TUCK
(Defender / Midfielder)

Alex, the manager's son, is sometimes denied the credit due to him. Forming the right half of the central defensive partnership, his height and speed make him a very capable defender. He is a solid tackler, a dependable, no frills player, with a footballing brain that is improving all the time. He is developing an ability to see the simple, early ball to feet, thus retaining possession for the team. He not only supports the team well at the back, but he is now showing a level of inventiveness going forward, not previously seem. With a few recent starts in central midfield and with his ability to hit the ball with either foot, Alex is proving dangerous from set pieces or when within shooting distance of the goal.

JACK HAYES
(Defender)

One of the founder team members, Jack is a dynamic, reliable and determined performer in the defence at left-back. He is strong and tenacious in the tackle and has a steady left foot which can drill balls up the line along day long. Jack forms the vital foundation of the left-sided attacking triangle, which is so important to the team’s potency when pressing forward down the left side. His positional awareness is sharp and he’s invariably in the right place providing cover to the centre when needed. When Jack is fully on his game, his performances can be flawless.

JAKE EGLEN
(Midfielder)

Jake is an experienced player who is now beginning to find his true confidence and form once again. His is a calm, thoughtful and polished performer, who on his day can be a truly fierce competitor. Jake has learnt that his role in the team demands that he plays with “his foot on the pedal” all the time. The defensive aspects of his game continue to improve and when in possession, he plays with a great awareness of space and position of his team mates around him. His silky distribution often enable him to pull out of nowhere a defence-splitting pass and with an eye for an opportunistic strike, this all goes towards making him a dangerous very opponent.

GARETH SEARLE
(Midfielder)

Having cut his footballing teeth in Stevenage, “Gazza” commands a central role in the engine-room of this Reffley team and a stature amongst his team mates that belies his dynamic, little frame. He is versatile in midfield; a robust, strong and lively tackler, who battles tirelessly to regain possession by putting opponents under constant pressure. However, once with the ball, he is comfortable and composed and he passes it well by keeping things uncomplicated and direct. His has an honest approach and a work ethic that epitomes this team and when boys need to raise their game, they need look no further than Gazza for their inspiration. Having rediscovered his own goal-scoring touch, this is a welcome reward for a player so competitive and hard working as he is.

JAMES MARTIN
(Midfielder)

As Reffley's own "pocket-dynamo", James is a keen, energetic, unselfish midfielder, who passes the ball as creatively and intelligently as any player in the team. James always works hard to put his opponents under pressure when not in possession. Once he has the ball at his feet, he invariably finds a Reffley shirt to keep the possession and develop the move. Defying his diminutive stature, James has an eye for the ball in the air more than any other player in the team and he is just as effective on the ground especially in the opponent's penalty area. Being ever quick to pounce on any half-chance, James has scored some vital goals for the team in recent season.

JOSH ROWE
(Mid-fielder / Striker)

What can you say about this mercurial midfielder? The superlatives just start to roll when you see this boy play. Josh is a high-value member of this Reffley side and will undoubtedly continue to make an impact right through this age-group. Josh is a fast, skilful, dynamic, attack-minded left-foot player. His strength and agility on the ball will cause havoc for any defence at this level whenever he goes on a forward run. As for some of his touches and flashes of brilliance – you will not see from another other player in this division. He has great control, he distributes the ball well and he can hit an unstoppable shot with either foot, irrespective of whether the ball is on the ground or in the air. In summary, rather he plays for us than against us!

CRAIG ELVIN
(Striker)

Craig is a fleet-footed, hard-working winger who leads the team’s raids out wide down the right flank. He scores freely for the team and is always keen to exploit an opportunity by breaking inside to attack the far post when the ball comes in from the opposite flank. Craig speed and mobility makes it difficult for opponents to mark him and track his runs, which his he using to more intelligent effect everything he plays. A good crosser of the ball and his early delivery make Craig a valuable asset to the attacking flair of the team. Craig's non-stop approach and the competitive edge to his game will certainly see him feared by many opposing defences this season.

JONATHAN HAMMOND
(Striker)

Jonathan's scoring record as a striker is simply prolific, accounting for a huge proportion of all the goals scored by this team over the years. Sometimes enigmatic, his close ball control and quick feet make it difficult for opposing defenders to dispossess him. Coming back into a rich vein of form after a lean period, Jon has added an abundance of speed, strength and determination to his impressive repertoire. At his best, with the ball at his feet, he is a truly formidable striker who can leave those around him stranded by his pace and footwork. Jon has an eye for goal as good as any player in this age-group. As he continues to work on his left side, his distribution and all-round game (especially when the team is not in possession), he will naturally be a major threat to any side we face this season.

MATTHEW PEARSON
(Striker)

Matthew, is a big, strong player for his age; in the mould of a conventional centre forward, he plays the role of a target man extremely well. He has great vision and a polished passer of the ball, by either laying it off, simple and square, or turning and hitting a precise, defence splitting pass out to either wing. Matthew is beginning to understand the importance of his role “off the ball”, working hard on his runs and showing a sharp turn of speed. Whilst Matthew combines well with his team mates out of mid-field, his undoubted strength is a shot as fierce and as accurate as any player in the age-group. There is no doubt he’ll be looking to unleash it at every opportunity against opposition 'keepers this season as he continues to home that killer instinct in front of goal.

JOE ROOF
(Striker)

Joe is the only player to join Reffley from another team in our age-group. He is an energetic, live-wire, left-footed forward with an amazing array of skills when in possession of the ball at his feet. He is dynamic, mobile and quick – all essential ingredients for a goal- scorer. One can only imagine what a nightmare it must be for defenders to pick up and mark him. Last season, his first with the team, Joe found the net an incredible 31 times. Although this is a tall act to follow, there is no doubt, with his uncanny ability to latch onto almost anything in front of goal he’ll be aiming for a similar number of goals again this season.

NATHAN BLOODWORTH
(Mid-fielder / Striker)

Effervescent and bubbly, Nathan is a young player with a keen competitive edge. He symbolises the heart-beat of the team; he works continuously and never stops running between the two penalty areas for the entire duration of the game. Favouring his left side, often leading the Reffley attack wide out on the left flank, this 'all-action' player, once with the ball, presses forward with speed, agility, directness and determination. His ability to provide the final ball into the danger area, leads to many goals for his fellow strikers. His 'never-say-die' approach and liberal sprinkling of goals for himself are a valuable and established part of the team's attacking strength.

STEVE TUCK
(Manager)

As a central defender, Steve captained KES from 1975-81. He re-kindled an active interest in football when his son Alex joined Reffley U8's in the summer of 2002. Steve completed his FA Level 1 Coaching Certificate in 2003. He was instrumental in the work which achieved his club’s Charter Standard, winning the CS Administrator of the Year for his efforts. He is also Reffley’s Treasurer and creator of the successful Reffley website.

Almost all his players started with him from day one and they all come from the Reffley area of King’s Lynn, a fact that makes him justly proud. Having remained outspoken on this subject, Steve says: “We have a local team comprising solely of local boys. We work hard, with a pride and determination, to make the most of the resources we have available and that, I believe, is the right way to run a youth football team.” Having become one of West Norfolk's most consistent and formidable sides in their age-group, this season, his talented Reffley team are well prepared for a realistic assault on the U14's League title.

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