? And The Mysterians

New Mills AFC 1 v Sheffield United XI 1
(sort of billed as Sheffield United Futures Programme)

Thursday 23 July 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Somewhat gratuitous this one. Fairly easy to get to (although I had to leave before full-time to catch the last train).  And it’s ended up being a dry day. That is partly because I “saved myself” in case the Club House had cask beer on. It didn’t. No black mark there, it’s difficult for Sports Clubs to justify cask. Perfectly decent clubhouse, just not my beer of choice.

I’m generally Against Modern Football. And, I see United as being about much more than the first team and their (lack of success). I’m Happy As Larry watching the age group stuff. They’re United players. They’re hoping to make their way. They ain’t paid a deal.

So, this 'United Future Programme' intrigues me. In a way you might call it the Second Chance Saloon XI. You can Google it & read the bumph yourselves. Here is my I don’t really know what I’m talking about take on it. (Remembering I worked for 17 years in the Department for Education).

Young fellas with some football talent go on a course which is run by Sheffield College and United’s Academy. The students take a BTEC Diploma in Sport, Performance and Excellence at Level 3 - equivalent to two A Levels. I used to run the Data side of the so-called “School League Tables”. So, I am well aware of the arguments about “not real qualifications” “it’s all media studies nowadays”.

Part of the course week is spent training with the Academy, seeing how a professional football club works. Shadowing senior staff, with access to Academy training and first team matches.

Quote from the bumph...
The course will give players a route back into the professional game. There are lots of talented youngsters who, for one reason or another, haven't succeeded first time around. This offers them a second chance at success.

All hail that.

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