The season is coming to a fast end and, overall for me, it hasn’t been a bad year at all on and off the pitch. The second year lads – myself included – found out about our professional contracts around two weeks ago now. It was positive news for some with Reece Hales, James Fry, Nick Townsend and me all receiving contracts and Jean Kalenda being offered a third year scholarship.
As the season comes to a close, it’s a good chance for the young lads to experience under 21’s football before the end of the season. With some players moving up into the first team the younger lads hope to be given the chance for the final two games. It allows the likes of the first year scholars to experience how different U21 team level is compared to youth team level.
Looking back, the FA Youth Cup was a massive learning curve for us all this year which left us feeling that we could have gone even further in the competition. In the league, this year has shown – as always – that the youngsters, even at under 16 level, can be given the chance to show Steve Spooner & Gareth Holmes what they can do. We all get to experience a learning curve of the different tempos and levels of football at the Club, right from schoolboy into Youth team league football.
The U21 team players have certainly been watched closely to see whether we are capable of pushing on into the first team and if we are needed whether we can step up and take the chance. There has been good progress and youngsters been given the chance this year within the first team, which is a massive positive for the club and players involved. There are many players also looking forward to getting back for pre-season and hoping to catch the eye from the off, with a sniff around the first team next season.
Unfortunately, this will be the last blog that I write in because the season is coming to a close and I’ve been informed that I have to hand the reigns over to some of the next generation of lads coming through next year, but it’s been a pleasure keeping you all up to date with what’s happening here at Birmingham City Football Club.
Thanks to everyone who has taken time out to have a read of some of my blogs over the past two seasons.
Thanks a lot & goodbye… Charlee!
