Youth Scheme Flourishes Into it’s sixth season and the Stirling Albion Youth Development Scheme continues to progress, providing an opportunity to talented local youngsters to develop their footballing ability and gain access to a career in senior football. Chairman of the Youth Development Committee, director John Smith who is also President of the SFL says “We have a scheme at this club of which we can be proud. Stirling Albion is regarded as a model for clubs throughout the country to follow. The future of Scottish Football lies with the Youth Schemes of our clubs and our club works extremely hard to give local youngsters a great chance in football. Currently the club operates with a team in four age categories – 14’s, 15’s, a dual age band team at 16’s/17’s and a 19’s team. The younger two sides play in the SFA Youth Development Initiative playing fixtures against many of the SFL clubs in non competitive matches which give the youngsters a chance to develop without the pressure to win games. The older sides compete in a league competition which runs until February and then a League Cup Competition which concludes the season. The 19’s side won the League Cup in 2002 and in the last two seasons have finished in the top three of the league. Club Chairman, Mr Peter McKenzie has supported the scheme fully and has displayed his commitment by financing the opportunity for up to twelve youngsters each season being given a Youth Training Scheme contract. Support from local sponsors, Diageo Brand Technical Centre has been of great assistance and the fans have seen the benefits of the hard work with a string of talented home grown youngsters progressing to first team football. Youth Development Co-ordinator, Stewart Taylor says, “If producing first team players is the yardstick by which we measure the success of our scheme, then we can be extremely proud. Currently in our first team squad we can list Paul Nugent, Chris Scotland, Stewart Devine, David O’Brien, Douglas Wilson, Stephen Hutchison, Darren Cummings and young goalkeeper Scott Christie as having come through the ranks. Others have moved on elsewhere and Gareth Munro, Chris Edwards and Ross Beverage are now applying in America and of course two of our talented products, Alex Williams and Iain Turner have moved on in money making transfers. It’s great that manager Allan Moore, who works daily with our full time YT players, has the faith in the youngsters who have come through. There are two coaches with each squad – Stuart Sharp and David Hendry with the youngest team and Billy Hurst and Dave Binnie with the 15 year olds. Ian McConnell and Tommy Smith coach the 17’s while David Gemmill and Paul Connolly wok with the 19’s. All the goalkeepers have the assistance of local ‘goalkeeping guru’, David Eccles. Stuart Taylor and Paul Henry take care of the administration and together this team work tirelessly with the youngsters in the scheme. Many hours are devoted by our coaches, the players and of course the parents of our young players. It is a massive financial undertaking and we are always on the lookout for financial assistance so if there are any Binos fans out there who are willing to support us with any type of help we would love to hear from you. I am sure that they would find it money well spent by investing in the future of our club’s youth players. Fixtures So Far and In the Near Future The young 14’s team in their first season have had a tough baptism coming up against three teams with a previous season’s experience. Defeated by Cowdenbeath, St Mirren and Falkirk the boys meet Alloa (away) and then Gretna at home in the next two weeks. There have been encouraging signs of progress with a high level of ability on display and the boys are anxiously looking forward to their first win. The 15’s have made an excellent start this season after close season signings strengthened the squad. Wins over both Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir were followed by defeat to an exceptionally strong Ayr United team. Although results are not officially recorded the team hope to win an away fixture at St Johnstone and then home against Ross County in the next fortnight. At 17’s level the team is finding the going tough by fielding a team of 16 and 17 year olds players while opponents are playing a team of entirely 17 year olds. Beaten by both Cowdenbeath and Ross County they next face Airdrie at Forthbank and then Morton (away) and their efforts so far will eventually pay off. Our senior youth outfit, the 19’s beat Elgin (3-1) but lost to Clyde away by 4 goals to 2. Chris Brophy (2) and Kevin Shaw scored the goals against Elgin. Last weekend (5th Sept.) they played in the first round of the Scottish Cup and had a home tie against Arbroath. A home tie against St Mirren awaited the winner and the young Binos intended making sure that it was won. |