SUFC Futures U19

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Amid all the thoroughly deserved Social Media praise for the Academy U18 winning the Professional Development League 2 Play Off Final, I'm going to mention the SUFC Futures.

The Sheffield United Futures U19 team also won their North/South Divisional Play Off this week. They won their league - played 18, won 14, drawn 2 & lost 2. Meaning they faced the winners of NMDL U19 South, Sandiacre Town at neutral Staveley Miners Welfare on Tuesday night, and won 3-1 to take the overall title.

I'm not a mug. I realise how unglamorous that sounds. Sandiacre Town? Staveley Miners Welfare? But, I would like to make a pitch.....

I'm no mouthpiece for the Club. So, this is just my personal interpretation. The Futures is essentially an Education Programme. It gets kids into colleges and on to courses. Some of those kids will have been binned out of the SUFC Academy. Some will be kids who have struggled on conventional courses & education. As footballers, some might come again and be good enough to go on to non-league. A very rare few might surprise the coaches and be good enough to move onto the main SUFC Academy Programmes. If you see the Academy U18 & U23 as a breeding ground for United's First Team. Then the Futures U19 & U21 are a breeding ground for the Academy. (One of many breeding grounds I'll grant you).

"By eye", I know United try to use the Futures to their advantage. Academy kids who are coming back from injury, or just need some game time run out, are included from time to time. If they are looking at kids on trial who they are considering for the Academy, they can be trialed in the Futures.

But, I don't mind admitting. It's the sentimental old man bit of me that likes the ideas of the Futures. It's an antidote to the £41m going to Paul Pogba's agent. Here are local kids, trying to make their way in the world, possibly had their dreams smashed, never going to make the first team, but they're one of our own. They are us. I'm proud my Club can simply say - you might not be quite good enough, you might come again, but, for the time being, put this United shirt on, have a look at the badge, get out there and kick lumps out of summat.

Given my views, I'm somewhat frustrated that the Club don't publicise the Futures more - Big 'Em Up. A football club should give a chance for kids to play football. The Futures does that. And, of course, the criticism that readers might want to aim at me is - that's all bollox Phil, we all know you're just using the Futures selfishly to increase your Ground Hopping Score.

AnyRoadUp - Sheffield United Futures U19, overall winners of North Midland Development League U19 Level - Salute.

Phil
Blog at
www.ball-sup.blogspot.co.uk

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Always good to hear of any United team winning

 

[Treeton Blade]

Amid all the thoroughly deserved Social Media praise for the Academy U18 winning the Professional Development League 2 Play Off Final, I'm going to mention the SUFC Futures.

The Sheffield United Futures U19 team also won their North/South Divisional Play Off this week. They won their league - played 18, won 14, drawn 2 & lost 2. Meaning they faced the winners of NMDL U19 South, Sandiacre Town at neutral Staveley Miners Welfare on Tuesday night, and won 3-1 to take the overall title.

I'm not a mug. I realise how unglamorous that sounds. Sandiacre Town? Staveley Miners Welfare? But, I would like to make a pitch.....

I'm no mouthpiece for the Club. So, this is just my personal interpretation. The Futures is essentially an Education Programme. It gets kids into colleges and on to courses. Some of those kids will have been binned out of the SUFC Academy. Some will be kids who have struggled on conventional courses & education. As footballers, some might come again and be good enough to go on to non-league. A very rare few might surprise the coaches and be good enough to move onto the main SUFC Academy Programmes. If you see the Academy U18 & U23 as a breeding ground for United's First Team. Then the Futures U19 & U21 are a breeding ground for the Academy. (One of many breeding grounds I'll grant you).

"By eye", I know United try to use the Futures to their advantage. Academy kids who are coming back from injury, or just need some game time run out, are included from time to time. If they are looking at kids on trial who they are considering for the Academy, they can be trialed in the Futures.

But, I don't mind admitting. It's the sentimental old man bit of me that likes the ideas of the Futures. It's an antidote to the £41m going to Paul Pogba's agent. Here are local kids, trying to make their way in the world, possibly had their dreams smashed, never going to make the first team, but they're one of our own. They are us. I'm proud my Club can simply say - you might not be quite good enough, you might come again, but, for the time being, put this United shirt on, have a look at the badge, get out there and kick lumps out of summat.

Given my views, I'm somewhat frustrated that the Club don't publicise the Futures more - Big 'Em Up. A football club should give a chance for kids to play football. The Futures does that. And, of course, the criticism that readers might want to aim at me is - that's all bollox Phil, we all know you're just using the Futures selfishly to increase your Ground Hopping Score.

AnyRoadUp - Sheffield United Futures U19, overall winners of North Midland Development League U19 Level - Salute.

Phil
Blog at
www.ball-sup.blogspot.co.uk

Seen a few me sen Phil, and don`t understand why they are not better publicised either, the pre season games were shown and then nothing.

Some good kids in there, I know at least one Reon Potts has been taken on as a scholar next season for the U18s.

 

[I should coco]

It's an antidote to the £41m going to Paul Pogba's agent.

The poor bloke earned every penny. He had to make several trips to the Rainy City (Business Class) and quite a few phone calls. There was also the odd email and what with the shoe leather, wear and tear on the Roller and entertaining on his yacht, he is probably out of pocket.

Incidentally the Times is reporting he owned a stake in Pogba which in theory was ended in 2015 by FIFA. Third party ownership? Now where have we heard that before......

 

[BushBlade]

The poor bloke earned every penny. He had to make several trips to the Rainy City (Business Class) and quite a few phone calls. There was also the odd email and what with the shoe leather, wear and tear on the Roller and entertaining on his yacht, he is probably out of pocket.

Incidentally the Times is reporting he owned a stake in Pogba which in theory was ended in 2015 by FIFA. Third party ownership? Now where have we heard that before......

Did Fat Sam get a cut for consultancy advice?

 

[I should coco]

Did Fat Sam get a cut for consultancy advice?

He was too busy falling out with the BBC over the claims his son took bungs for transfers to Bolton. Wasn't he going to pick up Jonathan Aitken's trusty 'sword of truth and shield of fair play' and sue the Beeb?

Not sure that one ever got to court.....

 

[larkymasher]

To be honest Phil the club don't really go out of their way to promote the U18 or 23s games, never mind the U19s Futures.

There is usually something on the morning of a 23s game telling supporters there is a game and then there is no twitter coverage when the game is in progress. Looking at other clubs social media they are all over their 23s team fixtures.
As for the U18s they don't get a mention of any league fixtures coming up unless they get to a final.

Not blowing smoke up your arse but its thanks to you that we have a decent coverage on social media of most of the games.

I think the club could use social media more to promote and report on what these teams are doing.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

To be honest Phil the club don't really go out of their way to promote the U18 or 23s games, never mind the U19s Futures.

There is usually something on the morning of a 23s game telling supporters there is a game and then there is no twitter coverage when the game is in progress. Looking at other clubs social media they are all over their 23s team fixtures.
As for the U18s they don't get a mention of any league fixtures coming up unless they get to a final.

Not blowing smoke up your arse but its thanks to you that we have a decent coverage on social media of most of the games.

I think the club could use social media more to promote and report on what these teams are doing.

Have to agree. With all the goodwill feeling for the club at the moment, last night's final at the Lane could have had a much bigger crowd.

 

[BushBlade]

To be honest Phil the club don't really go out of their way to promote the U18 or 23s games, never mind the U19s Futures.

There is usually something on the morning of a 23s game telling supporters there is a game and then there is no twitter coverage when the game is in progress. Looking at other clubs social media they are all over their 23s team fixtures.
As for the U18s they don't get a mention of any league fixtures coming up unless they get to a final.

Not blowing smoke up your arse but its thanks to you that we have a decent coverage on social media of most of the games.

I think the club could use social media more to promote and report on what these teams are doing.

It must be difficult to strike a balance between publicising the games and the kids starting to think they've made it. It must be hard to keep their feet on the ground as it is, I wonder if they're worried big crowds and lots of publicity might have an adverse effect on some of the kids?
Perhaps different for the u23s who have to learn to get used to big crowds and being talked about on social media etc.

 

[Foxy]

To be honest Phil the club don't really go out of their way to promote the U18 or 23s games, never mind the U19s Futures.

There is usually something on the morning of a 23s game telling supporters there is a game and then there is no twitter coverage when the game is in progress. Looking at other clubs social media they are all over their 23s team fixtures.
As for the U18s they don't get a mention of any league fixtures coming up unless they get to a final.

Not blowing smoke up your arse but its thanks to you that we have a decent coverage on social media of most of the games.

I think the club could use social media more to promote and report on what these teams are doing.

They used to nod towards our coverage... But that's more sporadic now the fixtures are less convenient times and clash with work!

Intending to do a bit more again next season. Also, if anyone wants to get involved too?