Cinderford Town setup Under 18s

CINDERFORD Town are reviving their Under-18s side to provide a ’stepping stone’ to John Brough’s first team.

Town have recruited Ruardean Hill Rangers’ outgoing player/manager Brian Burke to manage the team, who will compete in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Southern Division.
The division has been won by Gloucester City two years running, and also boasts a Hereford side who will pit their best youngsters against Town’s.

Burke, who picked up his UEFA B license at the age of 21 and has worked with Liverpool’s academy, hopes that the team will allow more Foresters to represent the area’s leading football club at senior level.

He will be assisted by former Lydbrook coach Paul Williams, who helps run the Forest Select XI.

“I’ve been involved with Cinderford Town before, having run the Under-12s last year,” Burke said.

“It’s a good, competitive league to be in and we’ll be playing at some clubs with good facilities and good players.

“It’s somewhere for the youth of the club to move on to. There are a lot of sides at the club and it allows us to try and get more local youngsters into the first team.”

Burke, 30, added that he wants to see the side emulate the style of John Brough’s first team, saying the emphasis will be on ’playing football, a good mentality and a good work rate’. Trials will run on the astro turf pitch at Forest High School on Wednesday June 15, Saturday June 18 and Wednesday June 22 at 6.30pm in midweek and 11am for the weekend date.

“We’re really excited to be running Under-18s this season in an extremely competitive league,” added Town’s head of youth Rich Wilkins.

“We’re delighted to get Brian Burke and Paul Williams involved and running the team as well. Both have huge experience and will give the players the very best opportunities to develop into top players.”

Players interested in registering for the under 18 trials can fill in the form below…