As the season has now drawn to a close, I would like to provide you with an update regarding our football pathway, how it is developing, the challenges faced, and how we will look to operatebeneath the first team next season, 2023/24.
We are very fortunate at the football club to have two fantastic sections, offering both boys and girls football opportunities in a community and development capacity to over 500 members per week, led by many very committed volunteers, who we are eternally grateful to.
From age 16 + we have a very different challenge in trying to provide opportunities for aspiring footballers as part of our ‘Elite’ pathway.
The growing college programmes at Moreton Morrell and Pershore, gives us a sound base to build from and this season has seen the Pershore side win their league and the Tier 1 Moreton Morrell side finish 3rd in the Championship division.
We also have a blossoming partnership with the University of Warwick in place now with myself and other coaches working with the male and female teams in the BUCS leagues, whichthis season included 3 league titles.
Next season, 2023/24, sees me take a supporting role as Men’s Director of Football and LFC coach all 5 men’s teams and support the female programme where required in a bid to build an even bigger recruitment pool for potential players.
Both of the above programmes have had representation in the under 18’s FA Youth cup side and Under 23’s this season2022/23.
The challenges we have from 16 + are predominantly financial (we don’t ask players in our ‘Elite’ / 16+ pathway to pay any subscriptions or monies to play for us) and resources available to us, not to mention the challenge of bridging a gap to first team football, now step 3, previously 2.
The past two seasons have seen the under 23’s play in the Midland Football League Reserve Division from two different homes, at Rugby Borough and Stockton FC respectively, both of whom we are thankful to for their hospitality, but this does come at a cost to us as a football club.
That said, the under 23’s have in turn won both the League (2021/22) and League Cup (2022/23). A huge thank you to the travelling support recently in the Cup Final at Bedworth United, it was very much appreciated and created a great atmosphere on the day!
We have witnessed 5 first team league debuts from the Under 23’s, 11 players have experienced first team training at some point in the last two seasons and 4 loan moves of players to higher levels within the football pyramid.
We see this as a huge success and credit to all those involved for achieving these milestones to date.The only outstanding performance indicator is a first team regular and/or a player to be sold on to a professional club.
Unfortunately, the gap from Under 23’s to First Team is no less than 6 divisions, a comparison of Premier League to National League North gives context to the gap these young players and our staff are working tirelessly to bridge, it is not as easy as it seems.
As a first team, unfortunately we have this season experienced relegation and as with any football club in this situation there will be financial implications along the way and we must ensure, even more than ever, that we run a sustainable modelwith the long game in mind.
As a result, we are reluctantly going to reshape our Elite / 16+pathway with the following changes, but, remain excited as to what next season may bring and hope we can build on this even further in time.
‘Elite’ / 16+ Pathway next season, 2023/24:
Aspiring Football Programme:
In summary, they will run effectively as an Under 23’s but without the regular costs and resource issues we have faced weekly over the last two seasons.
Current Under 23’s update
A huge thank you to Scott, Lewis, Matt, Adam and Emma for all their work as part of the management team and extend our thanks to all players and families who have represented our club this season.
Next steps:
Manager – Scott Pheasey – has been offered a loan mentor role within the Aspiring Football Programme
Head Coach – Lewis Marston – is exploring alternative options in the pyramid but will continue to work for the club in his role as PDP lead coach and within the Charity.
Coach – Matt Finnegan – we are delighted to announce Matt will be joining the Charity set up to work in our community sessions and football pathway.
Goalkeeper Coach – Adam Deeley – has been offered to continue his role in our Aspiring Footballers Programme and across our football pathway.
A brief breakdown of the most recent players who represented the Under 23’s:
Pathway Summary
Community – Leamington Brakes FC, Leamington Lions FC
Development – MJPL teams, 7 – 16 Talent I.D. Programme
Elite / 16+ – Further Education College Programmes, Floodlit Under 18’s, Aspiring Footballers Programme
First Team – Male and Female
All of the above programmes will be communicated on social media and the website so we will hopefully see you supporting our stars of the future very soon!
If anyone would like to sponsor the football pathway in any form, please email chris.knott@leamingtonfc.co.uk
Thank you and best wishes,
Chris Knott
Head of Football Development
Leamington FC
