Youths at league leaders

[birchy]

Thought with the current interest on the forum, I could inform the pitmen supporters to come and support the youth team tomorrow night. With all the doom and gloom at present thought some of you may be interested in seeing the next crop of Reece Styches, Ross Dyers and Tom Marshalls.
We play at Coleshill Town FC KO 19.45 and after an indifferent start to the current season, the current crop of lads are now putting in some good performances in the last few weeks.
As always any support at this level is very much appreciated, and hopefully give you something to cheer about.

Cheers
Birchy

[birchy]

Sorry
The match is tomorrow ( Wednesday)!

Birchy:doh:

[Bod]

thanks for the info

it might be a bit of a push,because England are playing at 4pm :)

[Nemesis3]

Sit nicely I am going to tell you a story
I am not having a go at anyone but just giving you Facts and a reason why the club must have a reserve policy with youths playing.....

Two years ago Kidderminster Youth team won everything before them cup etc and the following season the directors(yes a Mr John Baldwin was among them)decided that the Youth team was too expensive to run so dropped it also the Reserve Team.
The 'players'were scattered far and wide and a certain Mr Yates only retained one Scott Eaton in the squad-he played one first team game all season a sub and was subsuquently released(I understand he now is out of football working in a pub?)
I did find the keeper Tom Harper a place and he now is in Bewdley Town first team.God knows where the rest are but they are certainly not pulling up any trees.
My point-they played in the same league as you the Midland floodlight Youth one which does not produce a very high standard of football as opposed to other leagues the Villa,wba youth do.
It is better to join a Reserve Setup and play against better teams thus giving the lads experience of a higher level football
Never mind if they lose 6-0 ever week!!
We wont have the lads coming into the first team and struggling at Unibond level(I dont think anyone can argue that some are)

Good luck to he lads for the rest of the season but I hope you get my point as opposed to thinking I am being critical

[coalman]

Well done again to our youth team, going away to league leaders Coleshill and winning 3-0. An excellent result, must be worth watching at their next home game against Castle Vale at Keys Park next Wednesday, 24th October.
:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

[birchy]

Nemesis
Thanks for the info. I am well aware of the Kidderminster situation, and agree that due to the change in structure they failed to hold on to some good prospective players.
However, a few points of reference. At the time "Kiddie" had either league status or in the National Conf. The "jump up" for lads from youth level to this is massive. I agree that even though the gap is large between youth and Unibond Prem, it can be bridged easier. A case in point is Styche, who was with me last year, and i agree still needs to prove his worth at first team level, but I have no doubt will make the grade when fit. In addition to Reece, both Ross Dyer and Tom Marshall have progressed into first team football at Conference North and Unibond Prem. Yes, they will make mistakes and also have bad games, but they have the correct quality and attributes to play at this level and higher.
Your point regarding a reserve tier, is interesting. In addition to the Kidderminster example you have given, Worcester City, Tamworth and Stafford Rangers in the last 2 seasons, all run reserve sides, but it is now to the detriment of a reduced youth team structure. The reason for this is funding. These teams ( and first team managers) have decided to transfer the youth set up and change to using a reserve team to filter 1st team players coming back from injury, fringe and trial players. How successful is this is to be questioned. One thing for sure there is no development for younger players = no future player = youngsters will not be attracted to the club
Last seasons youth team received many plaudits, with Molloy, Dudley, Ellis, Deeming, Meakin Richards, Wallis, Dolman, Styche, Edwards, Sanders, Brown,Shelton & Mills all more than capable at playing at reserve level or mid alliance or higher.
Again it comes down to funding.
Another point you raised was on the standard of the MFYL. It will not produce the level of football than the Puma Alliance etc... due to the clubs competing are full time and pro. One thing I will say, is that at Hednesford we have developed teams that when they come up against "pro" clubs, match them in many departments, and have had numerous "scalps" over the years.I believe at semi pro level the MFYL general standard is very good, ran correctly and produces some excellent football,

Finally, our current model aims to develop a player from 15,16,17,18 from ex-academy or junior football and we prepare them hopefully for first team opps, or other open age teams and sometimes at an on sale to pro football.

We continue attract players due to the set up the club, the ground and the opportunities av. To close the gap, is a decision and financial backing that comes from a higher level, but the dream ticket should be Youth scheme-Junior Football- Youth Team- Reserve Team- First Team. but it comes down to funding!
Unfortunately, first team comes first, and this is correct, and therefore funding priority goes to them. The youth team heavily depend on business sponsorship, and without Pentalver and Special Occasions, we would not just be talking about not having a reserve team , but also no youth team either.

Sorry its a bit long winded, but thought it worth an explanation
Thanks for taking an interest, and you and any Pitmen supporters are always welcome to any of our games.

Regards
Birchy

[Nemesis3]

Thanks for the reply for all to read.
I am all for Youth and their development,although as you probably have read I feel many think they can run before they can walk.
It is indeed sad that funding plays a very large part in keeping these lads going and many clubs(like Kidderminster)are putting all their finances behind the first team to the detriment of the up and coming Youth.

The way I see it that with the' gap'between First team and Youth any good or exciting player is 'snapped up'by the bigger clubs or they leave on their own accord thinking they are better than they are!!!!!

Keep up the good work and keep those players feet on the ground and get them to remain loyal to the Club