Successful season for Stamford AFC Young Daniels

It has been another successful season for Stamford AFC Young Daniels, both on and off the pitch, with multiple youth players progressing through the club's pathway.

This season, the midweek youth team has been made up mostly of first-year players experiencing Under 18s football for the first time.

The group more than found their feet in the Northants Senior Youth League as they recorded a fantastic run of five straight wins and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, writes Aaron Gratton.

Midweek Under 18s manager Paul Walker said: "The players in our midweek youth team have been exceptional, competing against the best sides in the local area.

"I'm proud to play a part in their development and see them progress through the club's pathway into adult football."

Stamford AFC Reserves have benefitted greatly from the success of the youth team, with most of the squad made up of current and former Young Daniels players.

Having won promotion at the first time of asking last season, the young side made it back-to-back promotions in Division Three of the Peterborough and District Football League.

"The players coming through the youth team have been pivotal to us winning back-to-back promotions," Stamford AFC Reserves manager Jake Walton said.

The opportunities for Young Daniels have not ended there.

Several of the club's youth players have caught the eye of first-team manager Graham Drury, who has not been afraid to include youngsters in his matchday squads competing at step three of the non-league pyramid.

"It has been great being able to include several of the youth lads in the first-team matchday squads this season," Drury said.

"The pathway at the club means that more will get those same opportunities."

There is still business to attend to for the Young Daniels as they compete in the Jaymann Shield.

Many of the club’s Under-16s will be handed debuts ahead of progressing fully into the midweek side next season.

The Young Daniels have been drawn in Group B of the competition, alongside Harborough Town, Moulton, FC Peterborough, and Wellingborough Whitworth, with the winners of the group going on to face the winners of Group A in the final.

If you would like information on how to join the Young Daniels Midweek Under-18s for next season, please email paulwalker156@yahoo.co.uk or guy.walton@stamfordafc.net