Youth Perspective Vs Altrincham (22.8.26)

United first team coach and U23s manager JAMIE RAYNOR reflects on the latest involving the club’s young players!

Good afternoon and welcome to the Jakemans Community Stadium for today's fixture against Altrincham.

As we head further into the season, it’s been really pleasing to see the opportunities being created for our young players and the progress they are already making within the programme.

Stephen Pereira has been involved with the first team in recent weeks, making the bench for the fixture against Solihull Moors, before making his first team debut against Birmingham City PL2 in the National League Cup. For a young player coming through our pathway, experiences like these are invaluable and provide a real insight into the demands of senior football.

Photos - Chris Bray

That game also saw competitive debuts for Caleb McBride and Liam Clayton. Both players joined us this summer from EFL clubs, with Caleb arriving from Coventry City and Liam from Sheffield Wednesday. To see them step onto the pitch in a competitive fixture so early in their time with the club is a fantastic opportunity for them and a great reflection of the pathway we are trying to provide.

These opportunities are a huge part of what the U23 programme is about. We want to create an environment where players are challenged, supported and given genuine opportunities to test themselves at the next level. Whether that is with our first team, in the National League Cup or through gaining valuable senior experience elsewhere, every experience contributes to their development.

As we head into the season, a number of our players will also have the opportunity to go out on loan and gain regular senior football. Finley Ging has already enjoyed a positive start with Boston Town, while Jason Okunnu has joined Winslow United after recently joining us from Northampton Town.

Loans can play a hugely important role in a young player's development, providing them with the opportunity to experience different environments, play regular competitive football and take greater responsibility for their own development.

Ultimately, our aim is to continue creating as many opportunities as possible for our players. We want them to experience the demands of senior football and, when the opportunity comes, be ready to take that next step.

There is a lot of hard work ahead, but it has already been a really encouraging start, and we are excited to see what the season brings for the group and wider pathway.

Enjoy today's game.

Jamie Raynor
First Team Coach/U23s Manager