Last Saturday, 15th October 2011, Boreham Wood travelled to Hampton and Richmond Borough not knowing that they were about to set a new club teenage record. ‘Wood’ won the game 1-0 through a David Bryant 44th minute goal, but the result was not the only thing to be proud of.
At the final whistle, seven of ‘Wood’s’ on field first team players were teenagers. Of which four had come through ‘Wood’s’ successful PASE Academy Scheme. The team that finished the game had an average age of just 20 years old, it was only increased by two of our more experienced players in left back Mark Jones, 33 and forward David Bryant, 28.
It’s long been the Chairman and club’s vision to produce home grown Academy players, who can go into the first team, and it continues year on year to bear fruit. Even the biggest doubters at the club when the decision was made to invest in Youth, are now seemingly on board.
Another example of ‘Wood’s’ successful youth set up at present, is the fact we can boast seven England Internationals over the last two seasons, who have represented England at College, Schoolboy and Independent School Levels at both home and abroad.
Furthermore, Boreham Wood’s PASE Scheme can proudly say we are the current English College’s National Cup Champions, Suburban Northern Reserve League Champions and Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League Champions.
The clubs Under 18’s will now face Billericay Town Under 18’s this Thursday, on the 20th October, at Meadow Park to hopefully advance to the First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup. This would be another wonderful achievement from our next batch of youngsters coming through. SO PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THEM!!
‘Wood’s’ current youthful first team squad, are still very much learning, improving and gaining experience. However recent form may suggest that at Conference South Level, they are coming of age a little earlier than the coaches expected. Having picked up ten points from the last possible twelve, against Welling United, Chelmsford City, Dartford and Hampton and Richmond Borough. It is though a wakeup call to our youngsters as they realise how tough the Conference South really is…
Boreham Wood’s first team will next travel to Dorchester Town this weekend, looking to carry on their recent good form and to continue climbing the Blue Square South table. Dorchester currently sit one place above ‘Wood’ in the table. Winning five and losing eight, whilst drawing none during their thirteen league games so far… However Dorchester is a very difficult place to go, as we all know and any positive result on Saturday will be most welcome.
BWFC Assistant Manager and PASE Academy coach, Daryl McMahon said “The number of injuries we’ve already had this season has been ridiculous! So out of necessity, we’ve had to throw the kids in on occasions. It’s not ideal but we simply do not have the budget to replace Luke Garrard
, Mario Noto, Myself, Osei Sankofa, Daniel Brathwaite or Justin Coachrane like for like.
McMahon continued “We’ve been fortunate that we’ve also managed to secure some very good young loan signings as well. However we have to be very careful, so we ask our supporters to be patient with all our youngsters, as they will hit a wall and be inconsistent at times. So we will need to judge when to take them out of the firing line, as patience is key!
McMahon concluded “Hopefully one or two of our experienced players will be back soon and that will help our workload considerably, but the Club should be very proud of the way the kids have coped recently and the structure and set up at the Club is obviously working well!”
