Gainsborough Trinity to put emphasis on youth development

Trinity secretary Matt Boles believes the new season will give youth prospects a brilliant chance to shine.
Trinity chairman Richard Kane wants a change in focus for next season.Trinity chairman Richard Kane wants a change in focus for next season.
Trinity chairman Richard Kane wants a change in focus for next season.

Gainsborough will once again field a youthful squad in next season’s NPL campaign with homegrown talent the order of the day.

And Boles is confident that the youngsters will do the club proud.

“Given what has gone on financially and Curtis (Woodhouse) leaving, using the youth set-up will be more important than ever,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get some news soon on the plans for the start of the new season.

“We are just waiting to get a start date confirmed, maybe not the green light but at least an amber light so we can start planning for next season.

QWe have had discussions and Brad Wright, who oversees the youth section, feels there are a lot of good young players coming through at the U16 and U18 age groups.”

Trinity will also field a team in the FA Youth Cup for the first time in their history.

It marks a shift in policy at Northolme as the club look to increase the emphasis on youth development.

“Entering the FA Youth Cup will give the players more exposure and say we’re more serious about developing youth and creating a pathway for the first team,” added Boles.

“It gives them a chance to shine. We won't be the only club going down this route at this level. Academy and youth systems will be very important.

“We had three young lads from Gainsborough in the first team squad and play minutes last season.

“We want to see Gainsborough lads making the step up into the first team and for the community to see there is a pathway for young players in the town.”

It is an area that will play a key role in who is named as Curtis Woodhouse’s replacement as manager.

He added: “Youth will feature heavily in the discussions for a new manager. We want to develop what we have got internally.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. We have not advertised the role officially, but we have already had plenty of interest.

“There is a lot of discussion and hopefully we should have some news in the next couple of weeks about an appointment.”