Rovers reserves to become U21s

Great Wakering Rovers are planning to resign from the Essex Senior Reserve League at the end of the current campaign to enter a new side into the Ryman U21 League next season.

Officials at Burroughs Park announced on Friday that following a technical review, they intend to transform their reserves into an U21 development side and apply to field a new team in the Ryman U21 League which will be entering its third season.

Rovers chairman Tony Butcher said the Ryman North club is now looking forward to proving that their playing ethos, 'The Future is Green, the future is Youth’, is correct.

With three over age players still allowed next season, Butcher believes the club will be able to successfully clear a path for more players from within their own ranks to progress through to manager Dan Trenkel's first team squad.

Explaining the thinking behind their move, the chairman said: "Over the years we have seen our reserves grapple with in Essex & Herts Borders, then in the Capital League and finally over the last few seasons in the Essex Senior Reserve League.

"In this time we have seen our veteran teams leave and be replaced by Alliance youth teams who've enjoyed relative success on the pitch. But over recent years the progression of our youth has stuttered for various reasons, in turn slowing down our ability to produce youth players who can aspire to first team football.

"With this in mind, we believe joining the Ryman U21 League will enhance the opportunities within out existing youth set up while producing a higher level of football to bridge the gap."

He added: "Hopefully this will produce a better standard for players because in the reserve league there is too much of a gap from what is required. If you really want to test a player for the first team then this change is paramount."

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