On Thursday 27th and Friday 28th August we hosted a Festival from U8 - U11 for our Development Squad players to play against Norwich City FC, MK Dons FC, Northampton Town FC, Rushden and Diamonds FC & FDS Development Schools.
This was a excellent way for our boys to refresh themselves from their summer break and get straight back into a competitive environment with a freedom to express themselves and put into play new skills, tricks and techniques they have practiced during the closed season.
The games were 5v5 with no scores kept and very relaxed rules, which gave both sets of coaches the chance to concentrate on the boys' overall game and remind them of certain technical and tactical aspects of their game.
This group of players from all clubs are at a level just below either their Centre of Excellence or Academy, and they are working on trying to gain a place within the tier above.
The most pleasing thing for our boys is that - like in most levels of football - the higher you go the quicker the tempo, and in such hot conditions the tempo was not only achieved but maintained. This was a really good start to the season, which they will now be challenged to increase.
There were hundreds of goals, tackles, shots, crosses, saves, tricks and decisions to make over the two days, which is what youth football is all about and the quality with which they are done. At this stage in their early footballing career, it is essential that snippets of information are taken on board and performed as quickly as possible to show an understanding of the game, rather than big team talks where concentration is lost and minds wander.
Some of the football played was excellent to see and very pleasing on the eye. The technical ability of players in this country is under scrutiny all the time and seeing all these young players trying to prove these people wrong is fantastic!
I would like to thank all the other clubs for attending and wish them well for the season.
Alongside their weekly training sessions, our Development Squad boys have some good fixtures this season against Norwich City, MK Dons, Ipswich Town, Northampton Town, Southend United, Colchester United, Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers.
We look forward to an exciting season ahead!
Tom Pell
Football Development Officer
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