Youth Section

[TQA]

Who is the Youth Section Chairman,

 

Noted that the Kent Youth League have produced a reps team to play senior clubs at 18's level no Margate players involved, how come there are so many local lads going to Ramsgate, Whitstable and Dover? one lad my son knows playes at Dover at U18's and reserve level. He lives in Garlinge

[blueblood]

Until the Gaaate returned to Hartsdown at the beginning of this season they did not have a youth set up for economic reasons. This unfortunately as allowed teams like Ramsgate Dover etc to steal a march on us. Know we have a full range of youth levels but obviously this is still in its infancy and will take time to develop. I believe from what was said at the last open Misa meeting the club hope to have a youth development officer in place in the next few weeks and a full reserve side(hopefully in the suburban league)up and running by the start of next season. So come and join us at the new Gaaate in our march Onwards and upwards.( sounds a bit like Buzz Lightyear)

[rayw]

The suburban league is ok for london based players,but not ideal for players from east kent. so its hardly a good way of building a good youth policy.

[Gate Watcher]

Dover are in the Suburban league so just try and tell them their youth policy is bad. I believe it is a good move for MFC as the standard is much better than the Kent league reserves. Also most Ryman sides are in the Suburban so it is better preperation for the players coming back to fitness + trialists which are the most important reasons for a reserve side. Let's face it, how many quality youngsters have Dover produced that could cut it at Conference level even with their excellent youth set up. 1 or 2 in the last 5 years probably. Cloke and Readings. Not even sure if Readings came through the youth. No matter how good your youth set up is the really talented ones will always get scouted first by Charlton, Fulham, West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal. Look at Nick Bagley who has only ended up playing for his home town side because of injuries.

[TQA]

Agree in part I know Dover had three U18's taken by Gillingham at the beginning of the year however they have at least six xyouth players in the first team and about seven in their reserves I guess at that level financially it makes sense to produce your own. Not sure about Ramsgate?

 

I watched their U18’s against us at the begging of the year the gulf in ability was huge but I am sure things will get better.

[rayw]

Using Dover as an example seems to be a bit of a mistake. They are underachieving and have gone down even further than us. Ramsgate in contrast are doing much better with limited resources because they are much better run.

The reserve side whould be mostly made up of local players not more 2nd rate london players on trial.

Margate and Dover have both followed short term policies of getting players from London.

But if you really want to see a club develop you have to have a longer term and sustainable policy.

Margate have some great loyal supporters and massive potential.

I hope that the supporters are rewarded in time with a team that matches both.

For either to happen long term joined up thinking is needed.

[TQA]

Good point rayw