UNDER 16

Cirencester Town U16’s embark on their third season in The Midland Junior Premier League for Season 2008/9.


BACKGROUND
Cheltenham League
When the team reached the age for 11 aside football at U11’s it was decided to join the Cheltenham League. During our first two seasons in this league we finished runner-up in both the league and the league cup and in so doing were really only tested in a few of the games, it was therefore felt necessary to look for a league with a higher standard of football throughout as this would hopefully stretch and develop the individual players and the team as a whole.

With this in mind it was decided to join The Midland Junior Premier League which had been formed for Season 2004/5 with the aim of bridging the gap between local leagues and ‘Centre of Excellence’ or ‘Academy’ football.

Last season we again entered a team in the Cheltenham League and finally managed to win the League Cup at Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road ground.


The Midland Junior Premier League
The Midland Junior Premier League offers access to football teams consisting of development squads representing clubs whose first team perform in the ‘Conference’ or ‘Southern League’, as one of the many strict criteria for membership of the league is that all member teams must represent clubs from ‘Level 5’ of the national league structure and above.

Other criteria ensure that:-
• the coaches have achieved the relevant level of FA certification
• qualified officials are used for all matches
• facilities provide a controlled environment for training and matches
• hospitality and administration is of the highest order
• at least one match per season is to be played on the first team pitch

Our first season in the league at U13’s was very successful as we achieved second place, whilst last year we finished mid table in an enlarged league.

This season the number of teams in our age group has again increased (from 15 to 21) resulting in the league being split into two divisions – North & South.

The league is generally Midlands based but clubs from as far afield as Burton Albion, Histon, Grantham, Brackley, Kidderminster and Almondsbury are represented.

Matches are played on Saturday mornings and training takes place on Tuesday evenings on the pitches surrounding the Corinium Stadium at the beginning and end of the season.

The Indoor Arena is used for training from 23rd October, commencing at 5.30p.m and finishing at 7.00 p.m..