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Academy team - half -term report
Head of Youth Development Nigel Niblett, discusses the progress of Town's Academy
Like most of the midland leagues recently the Midland Junior Premier Football League has beenfrozen out with all of Town's Academy teams kicking their heals over the last few weeks.
This is the second season that Town have competed in this league and we asked Head of Youth Development Nigel Niblett on his thoughts on the progress so far.
UNDER 15'S
Managed by Nick Keaney and Nigel Shannahan, the U15s have produced some tremendous results leaving them in 2nd position in the National Cup table at the winter break and 2nd in the league.
Nigel said, ‘Considering this squad was assembled from scratch at the start of the season they have over-achieved in our expectations for the first half of the season. They are now in a healthy position in both league and cup competitions. This is a testament to the excellent coaching Nick and Nigel have done so far. As the squad gels further, and key players return from injury over the second half of the season we expect them to finish no lower than second in their division and qualify for the next round of the cup’.
UNDER 16'S
Managed by Mark Newbold and Mark Newbold, they have had an on/off start to the season but have now settled with a reliable team leaving them joint 4th in the National League Table and 3rd in The National Cup Table. Ash Narwal and Adam Newbold were picked to play for the MJPFL Representative Team against Bristol Rovers and 4 players made the Birmingham County FC Squad; Will Lamond, George Washbourne, Dom Chartland and Simeon Maye.
Nigel commented, ‘We had high hopes at the start of this season for this talented squad and they are continuing to live up to our expectations with an unprecedented amount of players being selected for both the League representative and B’Ham County squads. This hasn’t gone unnoticed in-house either, with several players being invited to train and play with the 1st team and youth team. They play very attractive football under Mark and Dave’s tutelage in a very strong top division of the league. Our expectation is for them to challenge for league and cup honours come the end of the season. This is a tall order, but within their capabilities, and we are sure everyone concerned will be bitterly disappointed if they end up empty handed.
U18s
Managed by Karl Aust, this team has also progressed remarkably well with Joss Holford, Chris Reeves, Aaron Bridges, Sam Edwards, Adam Watson, Sam Davis and JayTilbury training with the First Team which lead to most of them being used as subs for the First Team, and also The Birmingham Senior Game against Rugby which Sam Davis, Chris Reeves making there First Team Debut's and also at present Jay Tilbury playing for the First Team.
Within the MJPFL the youth team are currently 3rd in The National Cup Table and 2nd in The National League Table.
Nigel said, 'We couldn’t have any pre-conceived idea at the start of this season as to how this squad would perform as we decided to run with an under 17 squad in an Under 18 league to further enhance our Youth Development philosophies. But again, the lads and management team in this age group have raised their game, not only in competing, but excelling in both league and cup competitions. This performance has again resulted in no less than 7 players being on the fringes of 1st team football. Our expectations are for this team to win their division and qualify for the latter stages of the cup'.
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