MAGPIES TAKE DECISON TO STEP IT UP

The Magpies are excited to announce that they will build upon the success of their Under 18 side last season by stepping up to compete in The Combined Counties League U23 Section.

The Club have always been very clear about their commitment to develop their young players so that they are truly ready for Senior football at Step 5 and hopefully beyond. Last season's 14 wins out of 16 in the Under 18 South Division showed off the squad's technical capability, but what those 2 defeats and their exits in the various cup competitions showed was that the next step in their development would need to be a physical one and The Magpies are confident that this step up will provide that challenge.

The parameters of an U23 competition means that entering this level provides the added benefit of ensuring that competitive football can be continually offered to all members of the senior squad as three over-age outfield players and 1 goalkeeper can be named in any U23 matchday squad. As such a young squad can be complimented by an older head or two who may be need of minutes and can achieve that whilst providing first hand support to our developing players at the same time.

All this means that all senior players will now form one large squad, who will train together each week and as such provide an even better environment for the development of our young players, who will permanently be under the gaze of the 1st Team Management who are committed to providing opportunities as and when players are ready.
​1 squad with 1 clear pathway