He does get out more and that's how he can tell you about the youth sides!!!
I happen to believe that in allowing two sides to carry the name of Welling United they become part of the Welling United set up and deserve to be recognised as such. The Club's publicity machine, such as it is, and the Official website are, in my humble opinion, letting these sides down. The lads are proudly turning out in the Welling kit and keeping the name of Welling United alive in the youth football scene and some have represented their County. They deserve recognition and publicity from the Club but they are not getting this and I, in my small way, am trying to rectify this.
It particularly angers me that the Club was more than willing to use players from the U18 and U16 sides to protect the first team when it suited them to do so but have otherwise ignored their existence. They used them to represent the Club in the two Mickey Mouse Cups knowing that in all probability they would be soundly beaten by regular experienced non league sides (as indeed they were). I personally believe that this did neither party any favours.
I have been to several of the Under 16 matches and I believe that there are a few boys whose progress it would be worthwhile tracking and without disrespect to their Managers, further developing their skills, yet I have never seen a representative from the Club at any of the matches. And before you rubbish my opinions in the past I have had over 10 years experience of running youth football and as such I would not regard my opinion as being totally uninformed.
If the Club has youth sides, albeit on a self funded concessionary basis, I would expect them to embrace them as part of the club. I believe that a representative of the Club should attend their matches on a regular basis (once a month shouldn't be too much to expect), that there should be some input from the management/players into their training at least once a month and they should be afforded some recognition. I very much doubt that youth sides at other clubs are so detached.
If we show no interest in these sides I'm sure that other clubs will be only too happy to 'cherry pick' any players who show potential.
Rant over!
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
The U 16's certainly appreciate the recognition from Bruno on the web site and some of them are as Bruno has stated, dissapointed by the lack of interest by the management at Welling. They have represented Welling well this season and are a decent team that should finish in the top three of a competitive league which is played to a high standard. They are also in the quarter finals of a cup competition. On Sunday they had the better of a one all draw against the league leaders and were made to pay for their inability to grab the vital second goal when they had their chances. Although Thamesmead did have more of the possession in the last quarter of the game Jordan the Welling keeper did not have one save to make all game. I too feel that several players in the team have the ability to progress into senior football with the appropriate guidence and support.
Well said Bruno and Josh. I've seen your U16's play and they are a good team to watch, with some players that should certainly be progressed. I think there may be another game coming up fairly soon Bruno.....
I manage a Team at this level so feel i can add some weight to your comments. Players at this level are very often overlooked by their clubs in terms of developemnt UNLESS the 1st team are in trouble and need a few sacrificial Lambs to fill in in a meaningless cup tie and that isnt fair on the lads involved.
Does it really help in their developement as players when they are thrust into a side which bears no resemblence to the 1st team and they are soundly thrashed by another senior side?? Personally i dont think so and whilst i understand the "1st team experience" argument it would better serve the Club and the Players if they were (2 or 3 at a time) included in 1st team training once in a while and the management could take a look and get to know them.
The problem with the Wings of course is the lack of a reserve side because to be 100% fair to AP & PH it is very very unlikely that any player in the KYL U16 or U18's is going to be good enough (yet) or ready to make the leap to con. south Standard, the chasm in class is just too great.
The good news is that with the introduction of Jim Dean to the wings he may well put in place a structure to help along the young talent at the wings and this can only be to the benefit of the Club.
This has been done at my own Club and whilst we are totally self sufficent financially we are very well supported in all other ways and the reserve team management have taken a few of my U18's for training and have used them in matches and the confidence and hope this gives the others knowing if you're good enough you'll be used is huge. The Players are given Passes and encouraged to attend home Games and occasionally warm up with the 1st team and this also gives them a boost and is something i've not seen at any of our home games this season at PVR. Small things maybe but they give a young Player some sense of loyalty and belonging and who knows in the future it might just persuade a young player to stay when brighter thing beckon and the club, for a paltry outlay could end up unearthing a gem or even make a few bob.......
