Blades scout gets key Blues role

Frickley Athletic have given Sheffield United scout Allan Howcroft the job of leading the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s new Academy structure and unearthing their stars of the future.

The coach already works with young people in the South Elmsall, South Kirby and Upton areas through the Lottery funded SESKU Academy. He's now been handed the task of setting up a full compliment of youth sides at Westfield Lane from Under 7s to Under 21s within three years by Blues Chairman Gareth Dando.

Frickley already have successful Under 19s and Under 16s sides and plans are already in place to have at least three more junior teams at new age groups operating by next season. The Blues also plan to work closely with local disabled and girls sides.

Dando is keen to boost youth football in the area and hopes the initiative will see Frickley blood more home grown players via the club’s youth ranks like current graduates Jason Yates and Jake Picton.

Dando said: "The club see the development of our youth set up as key to the success of the club as a whole in the future. We want to work with local players and clubs to provide a pathway for local players into high level adult football. We currently have four of our Under 19s squad involved in the first team which shows the club’s commitment to giving young players the opportunity to play at this level.

"The development of an Academy can only increase those opportunities and we're working hard to secure funding to provide the best facilities for local players to show what they're made of. If things go to plan the new changing rooms should be available in a year’s time."

"Over the years there are many local players who have had to leave the area to play at a high standard. Hopefully with the new facilities and the Academy in place the whole community, families, kids, parents and all football clubs in SESKU will benefit in keeping local talent in our area and maybe making the grade in semi pro and professional football."

Dando, who believes Howcroft has the ideal credentials for the job, added: "I'm delighted Allan has agreed to join the club. He's already got great experience and contacts in both junior and senior football, working as a coach and scout with Sheffield United as well as being a coach in SESKU with Moorthorpe Rangers. As a kid Allan played with South Elmsall Boys and Empire Colts along with representing the district team so knows the local scene inside out."

Howcroft is looking forward to the challenge and is now starting the process of putting the Academy structure together with the recruitment of volunteers from coaches to secretaries and fundraisers his first priority.

Appealing to volunteers to start coming forward, he said: "This was too good of an opportunity to turn down. I have seen several changes at Frickley in the last six months and I do believe these changes will give more to our community.

"To be the one to help bring community junior football to Frickley is a great honour and I can see a bright and wonderful future in junior football under the Frickley Athletic Academy."