Northend boys continue to star at Wakehurst

Northend United Youth FC's role as a feeder club looks set to be strengthened further as a new era begins at Wakehurst FC.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jul 2016, 05:02 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:37 BST
Northend United former players Niall Swann, Tom Campbell and Thomas Brady who played for Wakehurst FC in their recent match against NIFL Premiership newcomers, Ards.Northend United former players Niall Swann, Tom Campbell and Thomas Brady who played for Wakehurst FC in their recent match against NIFL Premiership newcomers, Ards.
Northend United former players Niall Swann, Tom Campbell and Thomas Brady who played for Wakehurst FC in their recent match against NIFL Premiership newcomers, Ards.

A number of players from the Ballymena-based youth club have represented both Wakehurst FC and Wakehurst Strollers in recent matches.

That continued on Saturday afternoon when Niall Swann, Tom Campbell and Thomas Brady were all involved in Wakehurst’s pre-season match against NIFL Premiership newcomers, Ards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Against a team featuring former Ballymena United old boys Johnny Taylor and Michael Ruddy, not to mention former Cliftonville forward Guillaume Keke, the Northend boys certainly didn’t look remotely out of place against their distinguished opponents.

In midweek, a number of Northend U17s played a part in the Wakehurst Strollers good win over Saturday Morning League newcomers, Connor FC.

Again the Northend youngsters Aaron Campbell, Anthony Shaw and Ronan Laverty gave a good account of themselves in Jason Connolly’s Strollers team.

PRE-SEASON PLANS

Fielding no less than eighteen youth teams for the incoming football season, ranging in age from U7 to U17, all the Northend United teams are looking forward to getting back to pre-season training which will start week commencing Monday 1st August at the Ballymena Showgrounds Pitch 3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a number of additions already to each of the teams, following a series of successful Open nights, all at Wakehurst Academy Club are looking forward to a super season that sees five of the Teams competing in the Lisburn Invitational Youth League, U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s, and the twelve youngest teams in the small sided games environment of the North West Coleraine and District Youth League and the Irish FA’s small sided games tournament at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Brian McCluney’s U16s will also play in the North West Coleraine and District Youth League.

The ambitious Northend United Club are always on the lookout for new talented players and coaching assistants for each of their youth teams and with their partnership with Wakehurst FC, the Club can offer the benefits of a progressive intermediate league football, with established paths from small sided games right up to intermediate league football.

Training will be supervised at all times by UEFA B and Coerver qualified coaches and everyone is welcome.

Related topics:Ballymena