Youth Section

[Michael Howard]

I am very interested with developments to our youth section.

Last night I went to a family barbecue where I heard about young lad who played for one of our youth sides,through a fellow fan.

He has actually been offered a scholarship with Barnet but declined the offer as he felt that his current life of studying and playing football for AFC Hornchurch under 17's was much better for him in the long run.

He sounds like a great kid who seems to have his head screwed on,the only downside that I could see and I have scoured the net for some kind of back up,was that his sides achievements and those of the people running the team had been somewhat forgotten,I for one have heard about the youth set up but any information seems very sporadic.

Didn't they get to a cup final and were close to winning the league?? That's the last I heard about it.

I also heard that one if our youngsters is now playing for Thurrock reserves just to get a game,I thought we had a reserve side,I seem to remember them playing at home on Saturdays when we were away but can't fund much out with regards to this.

Surely our progressive youngsters should be playing in such a league and fixtures be regular.

Lets not underestimate the power of youth football and getting the kids and their families involved in the club,the benefits are there for everyone to see and let's make sure those involved are doing it for the right reasons,to benefit the club and the players not their own hidden agendas which seems to be oh so popular nowadays in fit all across the board.