Opportunity knocks for young Robins

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Ashton United are hoping to enter a youth team in the North West Youth Alliance League next season to further new manager Craig Robinson's plans to blood more young players.

The Premier Division's Robins announced on Saturday that an application has been submitted to enter a side into the region's top youth league to support their new emphasis on developing younger players for Robinson's first team.

A week of open trials for the new set-up are set to take place during the week commencing 17 June. The Robins say the recruiting process will start with an induction meeting at 12.30pm at Hurst Cross on Sunday 16 June.

Club Secretary and youth team manager Andy Finnigan said: "This is a particularly exciting time for the club, and particularly the new youth team, with new first team manager Craig Robinson [pictured] openly stating that he wants integration across the club.

"He wants the youth team playing in a similar style to the first team and has said that, during the season, he expects to be calling upon better youth team players to supplement his first team squad. From time to time youth team players will be invited to train with the first team in order to support their progression into the adult game."

Anyone interested in attending the trials should email Andy Finnigan with their playing CV at: finny14@sky.com.