Minty (Ian Jackson)

As you are aware Tay has been with you for 18 weeks at Sells and what an 18 weeks they have been!
 
Over the last 6 months we have had quite a turbulent time as a family in fundraising and preparing to take our youngest son Harrison to America for a pioneering Operation to improve his quality of life as he suffers from Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk unaided.
 
Approximately 12 months ago Taylor was playing Football with me in the garden as he permanently seems to do and I asked if he wanted a go in goal, he had played as a striker up until that point in his team and appeared to have a great footballing brain and could really finish a ball (not suprising as he has had a pop up goal since he could walk in the bay window and still does). Taylor really lacked confidence and would let bigger, stronger players in the team have the ball as he felt they were better than him and told us regularly.
 
I bought him some cheap gloves and he had another go in the goal in the garden and at one point I had to ask Karli to come and watch him as it was a little unreal. Taylor then wanted a go in goal for his team which I was happy about providing Taylor was happy. He played in a couple of Tournaments and appeared massively confident, brave and stated on various occasions he loved playing in Goal (strange lad).
 
I play lots of Golf and have done since I was a teenager and I more than anyone realise how important it is to get into good habits and get your technique spot on so you can progress as you want to and maximise your potential.
 
I remember the first time Taylor came to Sells and it was a dark freezing night, I'll be onist I did not know what to expect and was astonished at the professionalism and coaching that was supplied to those kids by yourselves. Before it was decided if Tay could stay on the course I even had my reservations as to whether he would even be able to take on the skills and drills that were on display that night.
 
The rest you probably know more than me, but Taylor is renowned for being shy, reserved and not the most outgoing of kids outside of his usual enviroments. I believe it is detriment to the way you both Coach as to what you get out of Taylor, cos I get told to shut up by him, ha!
 
Taylor loves Sells and just waits to train each week. He has improved ten fold, since joining SGA and as discussed with Minty I had a look around at Keepers his age and above at a Tournamant a couple of weeks ago and it was nice to see Tay doing so well when you match him up against them.
 
I don't want him to get ahead of himself or us included. I just want him to firstly enjoy himself and I'm sure everything will follow, but I do feel that you guys (SGA) and Andy (Marshall) are going to be integral to his development. Tay at his age needs nurturing as he is doing with Sells to attempt him to achieve his dream of becoming a Pro Footballer (as he keeps telling us he wants to be).
 
Well done guys and I hope Tay can continue with you indefinitely and look forward to the future, I really appreciate what you have done and providing us with the oppurtunity for Tay to feel a little special as it has been about his little Brother in a lot of peoples eyes in the last 6 months.

Thank you again
 
The Soanes Family