A Fourteen Year Journey Comes to an End for Jarvis Brook FC U18s
On Sunday 26 April, Jarvis Brook FC’s Under‑18s played their final game of the season and, fittingly, their final match within the club’s mini and youth sections.
The match marked the conclusion of an extraordinary fourteen‑year journey that began back in September 2012.
That journey started at Limekiln on a Saturday morning, when a group of four and five year olds attended their very first football taster session under club coach Ray Kennedy. Two early seasons were spent learning the fundamentals of the game before the team progressed into competitive football under the guidance of coaches Dan Hare, Carl Berwick, Tim Hammond and Gavin Bentley.
Throughout the mini‑soccer years, the club’s ethos of fun and development over results was central to everything the team did. Competing with up to four squads across the Crowborough and District Junior Football League, the group experienced victories, defeats, the occasional tears and, above all, a great deal of enjoyment.
Each summer brought trips to tournaments across the south of England, memorable for their laughter, camaraderie and generous consumption of ice creams as much as for the football itself.
The 2019–20 season saw a shift in line with FA and league guidance, as the team moved from mixed‑ability football into streamed competition. Two sides were formed, the Sharks and the Jaguars, enabling players to compete against teams of similar ability.
The Sharks enjoyed an excellent campaign, reaching the League Cup semi‑final and recording a 1–0 win over Tunbridge Wells. A place in the final was secured, but the match was never played after the season was curtailed by the Covid‑19 pandemic.
The following season proved equally memorable. The team finished as league runners‑up but returned to cup competition in style, defeating Langton Green 2–0 in the final. The Spring Shield was also secured, making it a superb year for players, coaches and supporters alike.
The 2022–23 season represented the high point of the team’s achievements. Jarvis Brook FC U15s lifted the CDJFL A League title, retained the League Cup and once again won the Spring Shield to complete an outstanding treble. Adding to the achievement, the side went the entire season unbeaten, earning the distinction of becoming an “Invincible” team.
Seeking stronger competition and preparing players for the step into senior football, the team moved into the Mid Sussex League the following season. Against higher‑level opposition, they continued to perform to a very high standard, finishing fourth before ending the subsequent campaign as runners‑up to Lindfield.
This season, the squad has competed in County League Under‑18 football and once again impressed with their performances. Fourteen of the sixteen players have featured in either Under‑23 or first‑team football during the campaign, a remarkable achievement and a testament to the club’s commitment to developing local players into senior, Step 6 football.
Jack Berwick, George Brady, Ted Bentley, Oscar Brady and Alfie Gilder remain from that very first session at Under‑5 level, while the rest of the squad have all accumulated close to one hundred appearances for the team.
In total, the side has played 178 competitive matches. Jack Berwick leads the appearance list with 174 matches, followed by George Brady with 163, Oscar Brady with 161, Ted Bentley with 152 and Alfie Gilder with 145.
Manager Carl Berwick reflected on the journey with pride and emotion. He said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to coach these boys on a weekly basis for the past twelve years. Watching them grow from small children, through secondary school and now into senior football has been an incredible experience.
“They are a wonderful group of young men, a joy to coach and great company to be around. They have become an extension of my family, and the final game together is going to be very difficult to get through. We have created a lifetime of memories together.”
He also paid heartfelt tribute to the parents, whose unwavering support over the years has been a cornerstone of the team’s journey. “From early morning pitch set‑ups and tireless help at club events, to constant encouragement from the sidelines in all weathers, their dedication, generosity and belief in the boys never wavered. Their support not only helped the team thrive on the pitch, but also played a vital role in creating the strong, family‑focused spirit that has defined this group throughout their time at the club.”
He also wished to thank fellow coaches Andrew Weir and Dan Hare for their invaluable help, guidance and shared knowledge over the years, acknowledging the key role they played in supporting both the players and the wider team environment.
And he expressed his gratitude to Simon Munday and his company Prosperity IFA, the team’s sponsor since their very first kit at Under 7 level, thanking them for their long‑standing and loyal support.
As the final whistle approaches, this chapter of Jarvis Brook FC’s history draws to a close not only with trophies and achievements, but with friendships, memories and a shared journey that began with a simple kick of a football on a Saturday morning.