Sunday U21 league is a Petty good idea

James Petty, the Bedford FA’s Get Into Football Officer, said: “U18 youth football teams across Bedfordshire will now have the opportunity to continue their development and face fewer dilemmas regarding their immediate football future through the first-ever U21 league that will be in place for the 2011-2012 season.

“The selection of 16 to 21 year olds that are available to participate will help to reduce and combat typical problems that post 16 teams have in recruiting players for specific one year age groups due to part time work commitments and players leaving for university that usually results in teams folding or struggling to operate.

Under 18 football will no longer have to be viewed as the end of youth football or the end of a team’s existence, as it has been known traditionally in the past.”

The league will run on a Sunday afternoon to alleviate pitch availability problems and avoid clashes with midweek, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning football.

Petty added: “The league is designed to help offset the drop out problem at post 16 through keeping players and teams together and allowing players to develop at their own pace.

“Youth teams would naturally benefit from having the U21 league to progress too, however some teams may find it more suitable at U16 or U17 to merge or add players from a range of age groups to continue as a team.

“The introduction of University of Bedfordshire students will further help to make the transition between youth and adult football smoother and give an insight into open-aged football.

“Clubs looking to create new reserve or U21 teams, individuals looking to join a team or 18-20 year olds that have previously played for a youth team, no longer play or play recreationally would find the U21 league an ideal way of getting back into 11-a-side football.”

For more information call 07432 702697 or email [email protected].