Following a fragmented 2020-21 season, under-19s manager Michael Nelson, in conjunction with the coaches at Tyne Met College, is talking to youngsters who are interested in joining the programme next season.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this season’s youngsters only managed
to play five matches prior to the latest lockdown but still had an impressive three victories and one draw from the games played with a positive goal difference of 15 goals.
We are hopeful, with signs of the lockdown being eased, that we will resume matches in the near future, although it is unlikely that the league will have time to complete all outstanding fixtures.
After impressive performances in U19 training sessions and matches, three youngsters were invited to train with the first team and have since been registered with the first-team.
Jamie Clark and Morgan Dart have made their first-team debuts and Eithne Taylor has been named as a substitute in several first-team league and cup games.
For the 2021/22 season, the club is keen to play at a higher level and have expressed an interest in joining the National League Football Academy. This will provide more competitive matches against a higher standard of opposition and our youngsters will pit themselves against the likes of Chesterfield, York City, Chester and FC Halifax Town.
Matches will again be played at Croft Park on Wednesday afternoons, subject to first-team commitments, otherwise, they will move to Newcastle University’s 3G facility at Cochrane Park. It is hoped that supporters will be able to come along and watch the games which usually kick-off at 2:00pm.
The College U18 squad also represented the club in the FA Youth Cup competition. If progress is made through the qualifying rounds, there is the possibility of facing a junior team from the Premier League or EFL.
If you would like to have an informal no obligation chat about what the programme has to offer please contact Tyne Met’s head football coach, Marc Nash at marc.nash@tynecoast.ac.uk.
Mike Coulson
General Manager at Blyth Spartans AFC