Youth team take on Loughborough University this Thursday

FC United’s Under-18 side are set to take on highflying Loughborough University this Thursday night in Ardwick and supporters are welcome to attend what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

The young Reds are unbeaten and six points clear of AFC Liverpool at the top of North West Youth Alliance Football League this season and manager Chuks Akuneto is keen to pit his players against open age teams to help them develop.

Loughborough, widely regarded as the UK’s premier sports university, are currently top of the Midland Football Alliance and challenging for promotion into the Evo-Stik Division One South, after returning to nonleague football in 2007-08 following a break of 35 years.

Chuks explained why he arranged the tough match for his youngsters. He said: “Being unbeaten and top of the league is not that important to me. My main focus is helping each of the players to develop to their full potential.

“They are only going to get better by testing themselves against the best teams. Loughborough are a good side, they are open age but mainly their players are under-25, so it will be a good test for our lads.???

A number of the youth team have been progressing exceptionally well and have gone out on loan to Rochdale Town and Radcliffe Borough. However, they are still available for FC United youth team matches as is Scott Cheetham who has been selected for English Schools FA Under-18 International Squad.

Chuks said: “We’ve got high hopes for a lot of them but Scott’s development has been particularly impressive. It’s not only his ability though; he has a professional attitude to the way he trains and plays, he always gives 100%.???

FC United Under-18s versus Loughborough University is this Thursday at Nicholls Community Football Centre of Excellence in Ardwick, M12 6BA with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm. All supporters are welcome.