There’s no disguising the fact that this has been another very disappointing season and relegation hurts everyone involved with the club, especially the fans.
We are trying to sustain our club financially but know that first team success is critical, so we will continue to do a reset for next season and aim to win promotion whilst improving club finances.
We will continue to put in place firm foundations and find players determined to fight for success.
As well as finding the best future players, the search for the best future investors will continue, along with improving our balance sheet and our community focus.
Our primary aim is a promotion year and a season where our supporters get to see success from the first team.
The Academy is continuing to develop providing a positive environment which stems from high standards and quality players on the pitch.
Our recruitment in players and volunteer coaches has allowed us to grow and just over 2 years ago we did not have a team competing above division 6, now we only have one team below this.
Two of our teams are competing for League titles in Division 2.
Meanwhile at the younger end, the Horsfall Stadium is now a regular hang out for a number of scouts from pro clubs watching our talented youngsters. These players are now often seen getting behind the First Team on Saturday’s as well.
We have developed groups In the Junior Premier League and in our Girls section where next season we will aim to have our first ever girls team competing in the League
Under 8’s: Gary Ratnik/Justin Crouch/Sam Sutcliffe/Zak Kersey
A technically gifted bunch who combine individual skill, power and pace with a great team ethic playing some lovely football and scoring over 200 goals already this season. Highlight was winning the group stages of the cup competition where both of our teams played with only 4 players winning 5 and drawing 1 game.
Under 9’s: Simon Webster
This season the Under 9s coached and managed by Simon Webster, moved up to 7 aside. From the off I wanted them to play a positive, high pressing, attacking style of football. Having lost our first game of the season we then went unbeaten, blowing away the opposition up to Christmas which earned us a promotion. We also reached the cup final beating 4 teams from leagues above on the way.
After Christmas playing against higher opposition, the lads have gone from strength to strength, adding a lot of passing to their game. We are finishing the season well and beating some good teams. We also reached the semi final of the knock out cup and represented the club in the Manchester international tournament playing against teams from South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago.
We have had some great performances this season but hard to name then all, special mention has to go to our top scorer with 42 goals Aaron Webster and the 2 Charlie’s, Hale and Deighton. Finally our goal keeper Sam Gledhill who would be on the plane to the euros if Southgate was watching on Sunday morning. We are now looking forward to having some fun at our summer tournaments
U10 Green: Tom Brogden/Richard Brogden
This team have come on leaps and bounds this season, continuing from a resurgence in form from the latter end of last season. With a few new additions to the team, the development of the team has come along nicely, and has a real friendship group. We made it to the cup final, only to have a bad day at the office, and, fall at the final hurdle. However, there is huge potential for the future, with mixed abilities they all play for one another and support each other to the final whistle.
Under 11’s: Colm Raffety/Max Whitehead/Andrew Westby
Our u11s have had a fantastic season so far winning 12 out of their opening 13 games of the season. A really technically strong group who have developed their tactical game massively this season under managers Colm Rafferty and Andy Westby and coach Max Whitehead. The boys have scored 80+ goals and kept 5 clean sheets this season. Our u11s have also fundraised fantastically when completing the half time draw and through Unik Doshlaku raising over £100 in the Easter Raffle.
Under 14s Greens
This team was formed at the start of the 23-24 season and started optimistically in the 2nd tier of the Garforth league, where after a shaky start, they soon established themselves as been a force to be reckoned with whilst playing possession-based football.
They currently sit in 2nd place chasing promotion with an 11-game unbeaten run in 2024.
Manager Mick Frost, coaches alongside Adam Brian and experienced ex professional Danny Boshell (Bosh) and have hopes to take the group to the top tier with the season deciding game this coming Sunday at Horsfall Community Stadium,10:00am K.O
Under 15s Greens: Gary Ratnik/Ben Firth
Only their 2nd season as a team and if they get 2 wins from their remaining 3 games they are guaranteed to win the Division 2 title. The Team also missed out on a cup final in the Semi’s after losing to Unbeaten and Div1 champions Whitkirk. A real talented bunch who have notched up over 100 goals this season with 3 to play. 13 out of the 15 features for Bradford Schools and 2 of the squad are playing up a year. The team have attracted 3 players who have left pro clubs this season to join the team, a team which highlights the ambition of the club.
