MATCH PREVIEW @SheffFCFutsal vs @StockportFutsal by, Joey Winson ------------------------------------------ FUTSAL CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF FOR SHEFFIELD AGAINST DIVISIONS NEW BOYS Sheffield FC Futsal open up their FA National Futsal League North campaign this Sunday with the visit of Division One newcomers Stockport. The South Yorkshire side have managed to keep hold of the core of their squad from last term, however changes have been afoot in the club’s management. Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno has departed so Mark England-Woodcock returns to the role he last held in 2011 when he guided the club to runners-up in the National Grand Finals before moving back to concentrate on playing. He will be assisted by England international Ben Mortlock, with Guiseppe Brullo taking the reins as fitness coach alongside Liam Marr. Sheffield will be aiming to win back the North title they surrendered last season to Manchester, not only for the kudos, trophy and cash incentive but also to gain top seeding position for the National Super League which brings the cream of the country’s teams together. The Super League has undergone a revamp this year when it will feature two groups of six teams rather than its previous guise of four groups of three. Sunday’s opponents gained promotion to the North’s top flight after finishing second in Division Two, along with two other sides in Teesside Futsal Club and University of York, replacing FS Derby and the defunct Leeds and Wakefield to create a seven team league. The incentive for the new sides is to break into the top four and obtain a Super League place, and surely Stockport will be up for getting off to the best possible start if they harbour aspirations of doing so. The league will also see development squads implemented for every team for players between the ages of 16 and 23, who will enter the early stages of the FA Futsal Cup. Sunday’s game against Stockport is at Concord Leisure Centre, kick off 2.30pm. By Joey Winson
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:43:09 +0000