New Era for the Academy by Ian Watts

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Whilst the first teamers have a few weeks to wait before they start in earnest, County's younger players kick off their season this week with new managers, new home venues, and a higher level of competition.

 

The Academy is now under the control of former Hatters Damien Allen and Michael Raynes, with Alan Lord , a most wonderful servant of the Club , switching to a scouting role under the new regime.

 

Damien Allen( image - the late Sue Cordon.)
 

Damien, regarded as one of the fittest players on the books during his time at the club, went on to a lengthy career in the League of Wales which concluded in recent years. Michael, who also came through the old youth system at County, was reported as retiring when he was released by Hartlepool United at the end of last season, but in fact made his competitive debut for Ashton United in Saturday's FA Cup qualifying round victory over Squires Gate. He also built a lengthy career in the lower leagues of the EFL, only dropping to National League level a couple of years ago.

 

Michael Raynes ( image- the late Sue Cordon)

 

The experience of these players will expand on the work done by Alan Lord and the rest of his team over recent years installing a sense of self-responsibility in making progress in the game  at a level where not everything is done for you.

The rise in competitive status sees County join the National League Football Academy North Which was formed last season. The more senior Academy players will now be taking on the best youngsters of  AFC Fylde,  Boston United,  Chester,  Chesterfield, Darlington,  FC Halifax Town,  Gateshead, Guiseley,  Hartlepool United,  Solihull Moors and York City.

 

Plus, with County moving into the new training complex, these youngsters will have the advantage of using that location as their home ground. They start on Wednesday with a trip to York.

 

County have also maintained a place in Division H of the National League U19 Alliance, where their U19 YDS side will get game time.

This regional division also sees matches against under 19 sides, this season's opponents being   Altrincham,  Buxton,  Chorley FC BTEC, City of Liverpool,  FC United Of Manchester Youth Alliance, Marine,  Rochdale Elite Development Centre and  Wrexham.

This team also start their matches on Wednesday, welcoming the Chorley side to the training ground.

 

The Academy also has a side in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division, Stockport County U18 Youth. Opponents for this season are AFC Fylde Youth, Altrincham, Ashton Athletic, Chester FC Youth, Curzon Ashton,  Hyde United,  Prescot Cables  and Southport.

 

The youngsters in this group have to wait a while for their competitive start with their leagues season kicking off in early October with a visit from Altrincham.  They are listed as using the TEN ACRES LANE SPORTS COMPLEX as their home ground, which had me checking my club records to confirm that County played a side called Ten Acres in Friendly games back in our Heaton Norris days.

 

For the last few years the Academy also had a side in a ECFA  league but this has always been difficult to track down details of - given their almost unusable website - so it will probably remain a mystery whether we are still involved at that level.

 

I imagine all County fans will wish these youngsters all the best for the season. Whilst the club are now able to compete in the transfer market there is still the chance of finding a few more players who with professional advice and coaching will work their way through to a decent career in the game whether with the Hatters or other clubs as a result of the start County have given them. Damien and Michael are examples of what might result from the investment in these youths.

 

Ian Watts

 

 

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