Aims for Reserve and Under 19 Teams

Having just begun our season it is with a sense of optimism and anticipation that I attempt now to share with players, supporters and other readers my hopes and aspirations for the season ahead as Reserve Team Manager.  Having had a taster of managing the squad through most of last season, I now start my first full season in earnest with a sense of personal pride at being asked to continue the task.  The task is a hard one for many reasons but one I take very seriously.  The need to provide the club with and develop good young players to reach their potential and guide them towards first team readiness where possible is paramount. 

Below the semi professional standard of the first team beckons a wealth of young football talent both within and outside the club yearning to progress their football.  I feel my job contains several main priorities.  Firstly, to recruit and assist young players to develop to the best of their ability and progress the standard of football they play.  Secondly, to provide a competitive team playing in the best league possible, which will enable players to learn from playing against good teams, on good grounds and pitches.  Currently the reserve team play in the Lancashire Football  League which consists of reserve sides from clubs in the Nationwide National and North Conference and Unibond Northern Premier Leagues.  Thirdly, players having developed a high and consistent level of playing performance need to be recommended for possible inclusion in the first team squad and supported and prepared for this step up in standard. Other aspects such as maintaining close links with both the youth and first teams and supporting players having the need or being required to play for the reserve team for some reason are also very important.  The club is also regularly receiving requests from new players asking for a trial or to train with us and this has to be managed.       

With the club aiming for Conference National football as a target, it is my intention to build and develop strong support and player resources that will assist that objective.  Whilst this will not happen overnight or this season it is a task I have already begun and will continue to grow.  Consequently, my hopes and aspirations for this coming season are to: 
 

• promote the aims and objectives of our youth and reserve development system through the public means such as the local media and the club website. 

• make best use of the new all weather training facilities being provided by the club to reduce wearing on main pitch enabling a better surface for good football.     

• have as many of the current squad of players as possible demonstrate their willingness and desire to play for and grow with the club to play at higher levels.    

• see further opportunities available for new players to train, trial and/or play with the reserve squad as agreed.    

• develop a competitive reserve team that wants to play good positive football, work hard and be successful.   .        

• improve on last season's league performances by developing better consistency in form and results.

• progress in the re-introduced league cup and retain the district cup won last season where possible. 

• work with other team managers to provide a strong link and bond between ourselves and teams and agree co-operation and practical issues.

 With new investment being brought into the football club the future is clearly one of  positive optimism, with envisaged growth and development as a successful community club, it is important that we take this unique opportunity very seriously and professionally.  

The Guiseley Under 19 squad acts as a central link between the Junior and open age senior section of the club.  This squad also provides a vital development function to enable under age players develop their individual fitness, skills and team play in readiness for progression to the reserve and first team squad system.  The club has already benefited from past and increasingly current players having progressed through from Under 19 level to the first team.  With the club actively growing as a community football resource the emphasis is firmly focused on the development of talented young footballers wanting to further their football career within the club.  The Under 19 squad provides a vital foundation for this progression and an important contribution for the club's future.     

Most players under 19 years of age not already with professional clubs are usually not ready for first or reserve team football at the standard that Guiseley now play.  Acting as a bridge between youth and senior football the Under 19 squad allows time and provides coaching and personal support for natural player development and progression into Reserve team football.   Training can now be provided through improved new training facilities and methods at a the higher level necessary for playing at Guiseley and semi- professional football.

The aim this season is to introduce professionalism into the Under 19 squad, introducing health and fitness education as well as football coaching as prime objectives.  Players are advised on matters such as hydration during training and games, pre-match preparation, discipline and fitness. These are areas in which players miss out on, unlike their fellow age groups who receive youth contracts at 16 with professional clubs such as Bradford City and Leeds United who have this education as part of their programme.

Good communication is vital for the under 19s to be successful.   Regular discussion with both reserve team and Junior managers at Under 16/17 levels about player development.  Juniors matches are regularly watched and players invited and introduced to Under 19 training and methods.

The Under 19 league play in the Northern Under 19 Alliance League against other Yorkshire based semi-professional clubs,  normally playing midweek under floodlights.  Whilst player development is a key aim,  players also learn the principle of trying to win playing good team football with the right attitude and spirit.   The squad are showing their willing to take on board these habits as part of their play and benefiting from it.  .

As presently the biggest community football club in the Wharfedale area we must work with all our neighbouring clubs to encourage young players and, if they are willing and able, give them the chance to progress and eventually play at a semi professional level.  Both this and last season when a the programme of player recruitment started the club have taken in players from Menston, Pudsey, Horsforth, Farsley and Yeason Ventus to name but a few.  The club also should not forget to offer opportunities to those who have just missed out on the professional front at 16-18, enabling them to continue playing at difficult time and rebuild their confidence.  

The Under 19 squad fully maximizes the junior section programme to provide a seamless progression of all age group teams up to age 17 and provides an exit route for them.  in the future a player at 8 years old will progress without any difficult leaps in age group through to the Reserve side and beyond.  In working with Terry Dolan, Steve Milner and our numerous junior managers, we seek to achieve our Board of Directors aim of developing a community football club which can produce many of its own senior players.