AFC Telford to start up two Under-18 teams
AFC Telford United today confirmed that they will run two new Under-18 teams next season.
The Bucks, who scrapped their previous U-18 side last summer, have made no secret of the intention to re-establish a youth team at that age group ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.
And director of youth Dave Topping said: "The club are adding a new Under-18 side which will play Saturday football within the Midlands Junior Premier League."
The club already runs youth teams at U-8s to 16s level and this latest addition to the youth programme is aimed to provide a pathway from there into the first team squad.
The club will also run an U-18s development squad made up of players taking part in a new full time two year BTEC Level Three in Sport.
The course, which is open to 24 16-18 year olds who are looking for a career in sport, will be run through new training partner Coaching Connexions, whose lead lecturer is Bucks midfielder Sean Clancy.
It offers an extended Diploma in Performance and Excellence and will be based at the New Bucks Head.
The programme will further enhance the Bucks' youth structure providing a second avenue for gifted footballers into the first team.
Topping said: "The elite football and education programme, will be looking to enrol up to 48 students by year two.
"They will represent AFC Telford United as an Under 18s development squad, playing within a competitive league."
AFC Telford youth development manager Paul Bullock added: "The youth structure continues to evolve.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for players that have clear ambitions to combine their footballing and educational requirements.
"AFC Telford can only benefit from this project, and it is something that everybody is looking forward too, and something that the U8s through to U16s can aspire too."
Topping added that the club's youth set up will also include a much extended girls section next season covering Under 10's, 12's, 14's and Under 18's, to complement the existing Under 16s Girls squad.
For further information regarding entrance requirements and application dates, along with open trial dates for Under 11-18's Boys teams, contact youth@telfordutd.co.uk.
