National Football Youth League, North East Championship
Wednesday 20 September 2023
Played at Handsworth
SUFC Game #11
So, you'll be needing my Annual NFYL Dossier as an introduction to this Blog.
NB:DR
No Beer Don't Read
Many professional football clubs now have a link with local education colleges and/or sport hubs and/or local clubs at a lower level. Those links are often run through Community Foundations/Programmes. That's the case for both Sheffield clubs involved in today's College Derby.
The lads n lasses attending the courses get a "post 16" education, which can lead to University. Many of the courses have a sport, sport science, hospitality, etc bent. The youngsters get classroom based education and football training and a fixture list.
These courses can be a way of engaging youngsters who aren't attracted to a more formal education setting. And allowing them to continue their studies and get some qualifications. Some clubs use these college programmes for youngsters who have already been in younger age Academy football. But, have been released. They can be a transition for kids who won't make the grade in professional football.
Just occasionally, United have invited kids from the college programme to trial with the main Academy at Shirecliffe. So, as well as an exit strategy, they can also be an entry pathway as well.
It is my impression, that a wider range of clubs are engaging in college programmes. Indeed, for those clubs further down the pyramid than United and Wednesday, the college programmes provide a convenient way of running an Academy team. Which they might otherwise find impossible.
For instance, the North East Championship features;
Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Middlesbrough
Barnsley
Newcastle United
Rotherham United
Sunderland
and;
Morpeth Town
Farsley Celtic
and;
i2i International (run in cooperation with Northumbria, Newcastle and Leeds Beckett Universities)
UFCA (Ultimate Football Coaching Academy)
So. A neat mix of "elite" clubs, non-league clubs and private football academies. This arm of Sheffield United's Community Foundation is run out of Handsworth FC. And, I know some of the youngsters also play for Handsworth Reserves. So, a multi model benefiting everyone. United run four men's teams as part of the programme. And women's teams as well. Some youngsters even train as referees and linos. And, youngsters pursuing "media" careers get involved in Social Media and longer reports of the games.
The best shorthand description is Shadow Youth Teams. Of course, nobody wants eight nil batterings. But, it's worth remembering that football clubs should be much more than "the first team".
John Brayford came through such a programme. CJ Ceeeej Hamilton came through such a programme. Most recently , Chesterfield have offered professional contracts to four youngsters from their programme.
Marshall Francis made his debut for Sheffield United U21 at the end of August. He's at Shirecliffe right now. Marshall came through such a programme (Reading).
Young kids, running around in red n white, with a crossed swords and white rose badge, with the results on the FA Website, and the Carrier Bag Firm shouting "come on United" from the shed. Fuck me.
This. Is. Football.
A deserved win for The Learny Blades. A nice standard, particularly in the pissing rain. Ignore the goal times on the sheet. United opened on 34. After having a number of chances, the first goal came from a - that was a bit lucky - deflection. Lead extended just before HT. The Owls pulled one back on 58. But, United pressed on and on. A cross shot on 64 and a tap in after a lovely move and square ball on 76 brought the lesson to an end.
Morpeth Town away next Wednesday. I said Morpeth Town AWAY.
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