Our U19 team play their final home game of the season on Wednesday against Solihull Moors, with a victory enough to secure the Academy North League title in only their second season in the league.
The young Spartans have been the front runners in the league for most of the season and their brand of quick passing and incisive attacking play has seen them win 16 of their 22 league games. They are currently seven points ahead of their nearest rivals and victory on Wednesday will be a just reward for the hard work and dedication they have shown all season.
The squad is coached by Liviu Cristea, whose playing career included spells at Espanyol in Spain’s La Liga and Romanian giants Steaua Bucharest before injury curtailed his playing career and he embarked on a coaching pathway which ended in him gaining a UEFA A Licence.
The under 19 programme is run under a partnership agreement with Tyne Metropolitan College who offer the youngsters a range of academic and vocational courses. The college is responsible for providing the educational element of the programme and Spartans provide the football coaching.
Next season’s U19 squad is taking shape, playing in Division I of the National League Youth Alliance. They are currently second in the division and are coached by Tyne Met’s Head Coach, Marc Nash.
The value of the U19 programme has been shown this season with several players stepping up to the first team squad and if they can continue their development the future for the Spartans looks bright.
Wednesday’s game is a 2pm kick off at Wensleydale Sports Centre.