I’ve become a little concerned about some comments I read on the forum with regards to our U18s.

Although I can see that they are written with good intention and are meant to be in support of the lads, they are, IMO, potentially damaging.

Raising their expectations to an unrealistic level can have disastrous effects, only a few months ago a promising young player believed that he was capable of and should have been playing at Step 3, but when reality set in the lad was devastated. I don’t want the same to happen to our current crop, they need to be nurtured. They are a talented bunch of lads, and they will continue to improve, but they must be given realistic goals, within a realistic time frame. If this is done right, then they stand every chance of fulfilling a paid career in football.

Almost every club at semi-professional level and above have youth sides, and those sides are littered with talented young players, most don't make it and fall by the wayside, so it’s very important that our lads are afforded every opportunity to properly mature and progress. Unrealistic expectations are not the best course of action.

If these lads can put expectations aside and concentrate on their football, then when the time is right, and if they are good enough, they will move up. It won’t be instant, it never is, but if they have what it takes then they WILL move up, be it with our club or another.

Just to put it into perspective, in the past five years that we have been running senior club youth sides, only ONE player has managed to go straight into step 3 and maintain a career at that level and higher.  Many of our ex-lads are currently enjoying careers at step 4 & 5 which in itself a good achievement, and they may move up in time. But to reach step 3 or above and maintain that takes time,  a lot of hard work,  and commitment. There is no short cut.

So keep supporting & encouraging the lads, and above all keep them smiling, but let John and Paul deal with their progression and expectations.

Steve.