Gaunt aims to build on success

John Gaunt

The Magpies youth team won the Nationwide Division Three Merit League title and reached the Football Alliance Cup Final.

"This year, as with any other, our aim is to improve individually and collectively as players and as a team, and to develop the young first year scholars through into the reserves team as soon as possible, Gaunt told the club website.

"Hopefully with having a larger squad this year, we shouldn't experience the same problems we did last year when at times we were short of players and forced to call-up U16 players.

"At times it was a bit much for them to play 45 to 50 minutes at this level. The lads who did come in impressed us very much with all credit to our Centre of Excellence, but sometimes the step-up from 16's to 19's is too much.

"We hope to enter an under-17 league on a Saturday this season. If we can do that, some under 16's and the lads not quite ready for the under-19 league will make up the under-17 side, meaning everyone will get a game each week - helping their progression through the ranks."