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FC United restructure to aid player development

FC United restructure to aid player developmentFC United are delighted to announce they have been successful in their application for a new Development Squad to enter the Lancashire Galaxy League. The team will play on Saturday mornings at The Manchester College’s Nicholls Campus.

The FC United Development Squad has been put in place to help the transition from Youth Team to First Team football and it is a sign of the club’s further commitment in developing our own players. The Development Squad will be made up of a mixture of FC United Youth Scholars and U21 players who have been identified by the club’s scouting network, links with associate clubs, schools, colleges and FC United Community Staff as potential FC United First Team players.

The Development Squad is part of a larger restructure of the club that aims to produce technically competent players who understand the requirements needed to represent FC United. As a result of the restructure the Development Squad will replace our current North West Youth Alliance (NWYA) squad next season. We have had seven successful seasons in the NWYA, including three finishes as champions and we believe that the decision to establish a broader based Development Squad will help players bridge the gap to the first team. We have plans for additional youth teams once we take up residence in our new ground.

Next season youth players will now be able to join a full time FC United Youth Scholarship programme based at The Manchester College and coached by FC United First Team Manager Karl Marginson and FC United Development Squad Coach/Head of The Manchester College Academy Paul Bright and their assistant, Luke Lundy. The Youth Scholars will train on a daily basis and compete in the English Colleges Football Association (ECFA) category One League on Wednesday afternoons, with talented scholars progressing into the Development Squad.

The Scholarship Programme will be backed up and supported by the structures already in place at The Manchester College and a new North Academy Team based at Harpurhey Campus. Along with the relationships we already have with junior clubs plus local amateur, semi-pro and professional teams, this will provide a structure allowing youth players to develop either to FC United First Team level or to continue their footballing progression at any suitable level.

Referring to the new player pathway, Karl Marginson said:
“This restructuring shows our further commitment to developing young players with a view to them representing the club. The contact time with the players, both at Scholars level and Development level, will be greatly increased and easier to monitor which will allow a clearer pathway through to the First Team. I have chosen Chuks to oversee the development of players coming into the First Team as I know that this is an area of the game that he is passionate and knowledgeable about. He will be ably aided by Paul Bright who over the past 2 years has shown a fantastic appetite, enthusiasm and drive to produce talented young footballers. Richard Brown will continue to gain more knowledge about player development and reinforce the lessons he has learnt over the past year with FC United Youth Team and Robin Smith will be working alongside Paul Chapman in the role of Goalkeeper Coach for Development Squad. Dave Brown will join myself and Daz Lyons as part of the coaching set up for the First Team. We hope that the decisions that have been made will be understood and seen as a real positive step on a playing front for the whole club.???

Below is the FC United Player Pathway Model and staffing appointments which we hope will add clarity on the restructure for all FC United members.




First Posted ~ 18:44 Thu 27 Jun 2013
News ID ~ 4955
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021