"Sam Cutler rose to the occasion, looking every inch the player we believe he can become," were the words of Head of Youth Development, Jez George, after CRC's recent victory over Ridgeons Eastern Counties Premier League champions Wroxham.
This performance was no one-off, as frequent spectators will surely concur. Sam, a combative central midfielder, has been a regular in the side since joining the reformed youth scheme in the summer of 2006.
With the opportunity to compete in a men's division, a chance afforded to few, if any of their compatriots around the country, the youngsters have made vast strides both on and off the field and Sam feels he has "developed well both physically and technically" thanks to the daily guidance from Jez and his team of coaches.
The midfielder maintains he enjoys competing in the Ridgeon's Premier League "much more this season than last", which is surely a reflection on the team's measured improvement in 2007/8.
Though on-pitch performance is obviously seminal, living and learning outside the green rectangle is likewise important, as Londoner Sam says: "I think I've matured a lot and I'm certainly a lot more confident and responsible". And the youngster affirms the youth development staff have impressed much upon the scholars, in particular a desire "to always want more and to be ready to learn".
Additionally, as part of their scholarship, the young footballers study for three days a week for a diploma in sports studies from Cambridge Regional College, while also working towards gaining their Level One and Two coaching badges.
Another source of influence for the youth side has been from the men they aspire to challenge - the first-team players. As a midfielder, Sam says he models himself on United captain Danny Brown, and when asked about the prospect of first-team action this term, he says, "I am fairly comfortable, if I was asked, I would give a good account of myself."
In recent months, the sight of Robbie Willmott and Josh Coulson making their bows in the Blue Square Premier will indubitably have spurred Sam and his team-mates on. Understandably, this is where his ambitions rest and in a year's time he hopes to be "playing for the first team, but pushing to play higher still". It is this attitude, instilled in the young men by the coaching staff, not to accept second best, and to continually crave more, which will stand them in good stead.
Sam, who spent his formative years with Charlton Athletic's academy, looks further ahead and in five years he hopes to have "secured a place in the first-team, earning a good wage as well", with the team "playing at a higher standard themselves". Fingers crossed!
Ever-seeking for improvement, Sam would like to develop his heading and dribbling, two key components of the modern day all-action midfielder. Another - goalscoring - Sam has already improved. Managing two strikes in last season's ultimately successful fight against the drop, including a poacher's effort in the inaugural victory of the year at King's Lynn Reserves, he has already bagged four this campaign.
He kicked off the season with, in the words of Jez George, a "fierce drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards" at home to Woodbridge Town and followed it up with "a thunderous volley" versus Norwich United, a penalty against Wroxham, and his latest strike came in the recent 3-2 defeat at Lowestoft.
West Ham fan Sam also shone in FA Youth Cup action and was singled out for praise by the Crewe Alexandra academy team following their narrow Third Round win at the Abbey. The manner in which the youngsters managed to compete against the Premier Academy side is testament to the preparation Ridgeons League football has offered.
Sam, capable on either foot and with a great range of passing, claims his best moment so far in football was "playing at Stamford Bridge", while the match he most enjoyed was Cambridge United's Boxing Day victory over Histon.
With the season entering its later stages and elusive contracts up for grabs, the second-year scholars are now under the microscope more than ever. However, whether rewarded with a deal or not, the young players have represented the club admirably over the last eighteen months and restored faith in our proud youth system.
Henry Milward
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