Thursday 22nd November 2007 North Mids U19’s Football League Div One
For the past three / four seasons, the Under 19 sides at Eastwood have been graced with a few decent players, and the team was always either first or second in the League, with a Cup thrown in at times for good measure …..the U19’s were necessary because players were needed to progress through the youth team to augment the 1st team squad. A few names that come to mind are Marc Stevenson, Deon Meikle, Lindon Meikle – these players are still at Eastwood. Ian Wheat is at South Normanton, Liam Garner and Jason Bedward are at Arnold – Ben Hutchinson is at Middlesborough, Junior Daniel is at Crewe. Now it seems that the Under 19’s can no longer attract players of that calibre.
This season P8 W0 D1 L7 F4 A23 Pts 1
It also seems that this path to the first team is no longer needed – any players that are needed can be brought in thanks to an injection of cash from the new Chairman. The end of an era looming? Time will tell.
Visited Coronation Park to see the Badgers youngsters take on Matlock. Watching this was hard work, let me tell you. Matlock had a couple of half chances well saved by the Eastwood keeper, but the visiting keeper was untroubled for the majority of the first half and neither team looked capable of scoring. H-T 0-0
Maltock did go ahead 6 minutes into the second half – a long shot rebounded off the post straight to a Matlock player who tapped in from close range. Eastwood tried hard for the next half-hour or so, but were killed off with 5 minutes to go, a shot from an acute angle beating the unlucky Eastwood stopper.
F-T 0-2
Anyway – Saturday – still undecided on Shepshed or Teversal ..
For the past three / four seasons, the Under 19 sides at Eastwood have been graced with a few decent players, and the team was always either first or second in the League, with a Cup thrown in at times for good measure …..the U19’s were necessary because players were needed to progress through the youth team to augment the 1st team squad. A few names that come to mind are Marc Stevenson, Deon Meikle, Lindon Meikle – these players are still at Eastwood. Ian Wheat is at South Normanton, Liam Garner and Jason Bedward are at Arnold – Ben Hutchinson is at Middlesborough, Junior Daniel is at Crewe. Now it seems that the Under 19’s can no longer attract players of that calibre.
This season P8 W0 D1 L7 F4 A23 Pts 1
It also seems that this path to the first team is no longer needed – any players that are needed can be brought in thanks to an injection of cash from the new Chairman. The end of an era looming? Time will tell.
Visited Coronation Park to see the Badgers youngsters take on Matlock. Watching this was hard work, let me tell you. Matlock had a couple of half chances well saved by the Eastwood keeper, but the visiting keeper was untroubled for the majority of the first half and neither team looked capable of scoring. H-T 0-0
Maltock did go ahead 6 minutes into the second half – a long shot rebounded off the post straight to a Matlock player who tapped in from close range. Eastwood tried hard for the next half-hour or so, but were killed off with 5 minutes to go, a shot from an acute angle beating the unlucky Eastwood stopper.
F-T 0-2
Anyway – Saturday – still undecided on Shepshed or Teversal ..
5 comments:
"It also seems that this path to the first team is no longer needed – any players that are needed can be brought in thanks to an injection of cash from the new Chairman."
Not quite true Malc. Not sure of the full ins and outs but just prior to the start of the season Castle College after agreeing another years sponsorship of the academy, switched their allegiance to Notts County despite Notts not having any any connection to a league. This subsequently deprived Eastwood of most of this season's player's just days before the start of the season.
Added to this, Eastwood lost six of last season's team because of age and started the season trying to scrape a team of 15-16yrs together. Bob Jones told the AGM he was looking to consolidate this season and push on next season when they will have had a bit of time to get a few lads in.
"It also seems that this path to the first team is no longer needed – any players that are needed can be brought in thanks to an injection of cash from the new Chairman."
Not quite true Malc. Not sure of the full ins and outs but just prior to the start of the season Castle College after agreeing another years sponsorship of the academy, switched their allegiance to Notts County despite Notts not having any any connection to a league. This subsequently deprived Eastwood of most of this season's player's just days before the start of the season.
Added to this, Eastwood lost six of last season's team because of age and started the season trying to scrape a team of 15-16yrs together. Bob Jones told the AGM he was looking to consolidate this season and push on next season when they will have had a bit of time to get a few lads in.
So it is not true that the Academy is in it's final season, with a Reserve team starting up again next season?
What happened to the tie-up with Priory Celtic?
Thanks for the info about Steve Round - I'd never heard of him, neither had Alan Mullery!
I'll find out for deffo tomorrow Malc as we are going for lunch with the Cox family.
Last time I spoke to Paul he said he wanted to get the reserves up and running again but didn't say at the expense of the academy.
Steve Round was a reasonable left back in his time. However like McClaren he is a good coach but not a man-motivator which you have to be to be a successful Manager.
Hi Malc
In answer to your question nothing is set in stone.
Paul said the reserve team will deffo happen next season because he wants to keep a 1st team squad of 18/20 playing reglar football.
This will be supplemented by a group of good academy kids which will need to be in the region of 8/10 to allow for injuries etc.
Therefore the numbers of good quality youngsters we can attract could decide the fete of the academy.
There are additional proposals for a new girls team to be formed and play under the Eastwood Town name.
Exciting times ahead Malc, I have heard some of the names of players we are talking to and the calibre of player is mind-blowing in terms of playing for little old Eastwood.
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