North's stars light up bright future

Trafford’s fans were given a glimpse of a bright future on Tuesday night when the North knocked Oldham Borough out of the Manchester Premier Cup.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division North side won 4-1 with manager Garry Vaughan, pictured, playing no fewer than four 16-year-olds and two 18-year-olds in the First Round victory at Shawe View.

Trafford’s Vaughan, September’s Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Manager of the Month, said he no hesitation in blooding his latest crop of youngsters with the club continuing their long term commitment to bringing young talent through the ranks.

A delighted Vaughan said: "Billy Burgess has already featured and scored this season and again showed what a good player he is going to be. James Constantine has looked good in training and is another who I think showed he can push on while Luke Heron capped the youngsters’ night off with a goal and two assists on his full debut.

"The fact that these three as well as Jack Keightly, Lewis James and Hayden Buckley-Smith are all putting pressure on the senior players shows that our plan to develop our own players is without doubt the way forward for us here."

Trafford's manager and playing staff are also continuing to develop links with the local community. To mark Non-League Day on Saturday Trafford invited teachers and pupils from one of their local schools, Our Lady of the Rosary Primary, to their first community day.

Trafford beat Ossett Town 2-1 in the league in front of their new fans and Vaughan believes the event will lead to even more youngsters joining the club’s thriving soccer schools and other community schemes.

He said: "Our future is with youth, both on and off the field. The teachers and children all commented on what a wonderful day they had and how tremendous the atmosphere and facilities were. The Soccer School continues to grow on Saturday mornings with well over 35 children now registered and the first community day was a huge success."