Proud Marketmen could dominate youth final

By David Watters

Needham Market

Needham Market are looking forward to one of the “proudest days” in the Ryman North club’s history on Saturday when no less than nine of their youngsters could be representing the Suffolk FA in the FA County Youth Cup Final.

The Marketmen announced on Easter Sunday that the unprecedented number of their academy scholars could be in action at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road and writing their names into the history books of the prestigious competition, second only to the FA Youth Cup.

James Bradbrook, John Carver, Ben Hope, Adam Mills, Brendon Heath, Harrison Ford, Ace Howell, Matt Poxon and Sam Thrower were all named by Suffolk manager Andy Reynolds in his provisional squad as the club continued nearly a decade of successful association with the county’s representative side.

Suffolk first won the competition in 2005 when they defeated Hampshire in a game that was also played at Portman Road under the guidance of former Needham Market manager Danny Laws. They reached the final in 2007 and in 2008 lifted the trophy for a second time when current Academy Director Andy Gould was managing the county’s representative side.

Many of the players who could be playing in the 70th final have featured in Marketmen manager Mark Morsley’s first team squad at Bloomfields this season as well as playing regularly in the club’s Thurlow Nunn Division One side.

Hailing the success of its policies towards youth development, the club said: "The club congratulates all of the scholars and the occasion will rightfully be regarded as one of the proudest days in the history of Needham Market Football Club.

"The provisional squad is a remarkable testimony to the work of the club’s academy staff, as well as those who had the foresight to embark upon its inception less than three years ago, and the support it enjoys today from the many volunteers within the club."

Needham Market’s officials are committed to providing the best football experience for the local community with young footballers continuing their education while receiving expert coaching. For more information email: ajopling.nmfc@hotmail.co.uk.

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