Bestsinceslicebread

One of the problems in the West is there is less pitches now and teams that looked into the possibility of Friday nights found it hard to have a pitch available Friday night but that's something each club with have to arrange themselves and organise which I'm sure with a little work can be done. The exposure we had for the Pollok u19s team was that a couple of us worked in the It field of SEO and this helped to maximise the exposure so I'm sure this is something each club will expand on in the future of which I'm sure a few are doing well so far and if there's a development league I'm sure the attendances will do well and grow as local fans will show an interest in the their local teams youth teams and thus with interest it all the local young lads will want involved so its a snowball effect. The sad fact, the following year the Next Pollok U19s team, (going into their final year at u19s) know one really knew much about them, well in detail and I don't think any of the lads made it, well certainly not with the Pollok first team, coincidence that team played on a Saturday but again they didn't have anyone to help them get the maximum exposure to gain a higher interest in what they had. They were beaten for the league in a league play off right enough but when coaching your got to decide what to you is success, winning trophies at youth level or developing lads, (be great to have both), earlier as possible to move into a higher level. No this aint knocking that particular team is just an aspect that goes on through many youth teams in Scotland so the sooner a development league with a structure stars in the Wet, the better, First of all I may add, I'm not condoning the U21 league, I think it should stay , just the league have been very static and stale and not done anything to build exposure. I think the official website is typical of the attitude by many in that field. I feel the people who fight these ideas I feel are either not knowledgeable in all aspects of the pros and cons or they are just looking after their own benefit.

I have very strong views of this First of all I think the situation with a lot of junior clubs, should they join the pyramid, should they not, is more in their thoughts before they would consider a development team, which is understandable. I have been coaching youth teams for a long time and all at different ages and also on games days either a Saturday and sunday so I have seen the pros and cons of both. Is it beneficial to have a youth team, especially a development team playing on a different day rather then the same day and time as the junior/first team. Yes it is. Example, Pollok U19s two year ago played in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth league and reputed to be the best in Scotland at u19s (99s). The Pollok team played on a Sunday, we worked on an online exposure program, on the local Pollok forum and facebook, twitter etc.. to inform fans about the team and the players. What happened, eventually we started getting a lot fo first team fans coming to watch our games and fans wanting to see specifically some of our players and we had our final league decider against Clydebank at Newlandsfield with a crowd just under 400 which Pollok won. In the end up from that team, we had 5 players sign duel contracts with Pollok First team, 1 went to Patrick Thistle, now full time, one went to Stirling Albion, 1 went to Livingston, 5 went to BSC development squad, 1 to Larkhall, 1 to Johnston burgh. Most of the players never even made it to U21s as they went to a higher level. Right now I know of a few amazing teams that are part of academies or connected with a junior team that play on a Saturday including one of the teams previously I coached, these teams are at U17s, U19s U16 etc.. and these teams have always played on a Saturday as have the coaches been part of the team, These teams will continue their youth lifespan on a Saturday and when they are older at u19s, U21s none of the first team fans or management will see these lads, which in turn gives the lads a restricted chance of being noticed and signed. Right now, if my son was young and I wanted him to play for a team, if that team had a connection with either a Junior or Senior team and the youth team played on a Saturday it really would put me off taking my son to that team. A development league with the West teams would be great either Friday or Sunday or both, also right now, there are a few teams who can easily adapt this idea and add a development squad straight away, Clydebank, Pollok, Syngenta, (if not already) and quite a few others. The league that played on a Sunday last year had a bit of contention from some of the U17 teams that were moving up to U19s as most of them wanted to play on a Saturday, so now it means that each team preference when they play at home they can play on the day they want, Friday, Saturday and or Sunday and has to be confirmed by both teams that's its ok and verified by the league. My view of the U21 standard is that its stagnant and stale, the u21s has been the same way since I played in it and is losing teams, not just the West Leagues fault right enough but they are to partly blame but kids nowadays have too much opportunities of other things to keep interested. The U21 west league is the only U21 league in Scotland as far as I'm aware as when the 28 east teams joining the Senior ranks they took with them local lads from the u19s and u21s team so effectively there is no challenge from the east in the major cups. If there was to be a development league in the West do you think it would be the death nail for the u21s,?, Nope, not my view as I don't believe so. We would have a situation where most part time clubs including junior now have development team meaning kids growing up will be excited to see there is now a better chance to go to a higher grade and with that there would be a need for u21 teams connection with the senior/junior team and thus more progression to be gain going higher. Its a way forward to keep lads interested in football and committed to being developed to enter a higher level. My intention is to go back to youth coaching or join a junior team staff but I wont be with any team that is at U21s, as I just don't see any progression and I aint the only coach with this view of U21s. There are still problems with playing on a different day, pitch availability, prices etc.. so this all has to be worked on but everyone coming together and working out ideas can only help

I spoke to the Pollok keeper, Jordan, recently who said that the manager has asked each of the first team players to pick an academy team and then every so often turn up at their training sessions and either just to show face and chat with the lads or participate in some way. Not sure how far this has gone yet but its a good idea and definitely will have a good effect on the youth players wanting to become first team players like the current stars. I will say Jordan is an advocate of the youth teams at Pollok and has turned up quite a few times off his own back to come and watch some of the Pollok youth teams over the years. I remember he came in the rain to watch the 03s play against BSC and all the young players watching, some players from the younger teams surrounded Jordan at times and they all loved it that he way there to watch.

Couple of things, I have heard a few say its both associations but Yes I'm totally agreement with the SYFA totally participation in this problem that the SYFA are only interested in the prestige and keeping it jobs for the boys when there are many who could easily reshape the association to become more about the development of grassroots with improvements. The amount of problems that the SYFA create or don't want to deal with that are harming youth football is unbelievable. Most don't know or care as they are either working in the Junior ranks, amateur ranks or senior ranks and don't really know how stagnant the youth football is. I went to the SYFA and asked them if I could coach another team at U19s who play in a different league on a different day to my U16 team and they said No, stating the only excuse was that if I was banned then I'd try and still coach for another team and then they shut the door on me, no other reason, not even saying they will look into it with evidence to see if there's a benefit. They thing everything they say is right and guys like me who spend their time on the training field and days during games who interact with the lads, know how their feeling and the SYFA think our voice and ideas don't count. The U21s have been in the youth set up for a long, long time, even before I was born and a lot of junior teams used their connection with the U21s than any other teams, i.e younger youth teams or the amateur teams. SO id rather the u21s stay in the youth set up. however in the near future if a lot of junior teams jump to the seniors then a lot of them will need development teams at U20 and thus the remit might change I have been a big advocate that if your are at U17 level, Under 19s or u21s then if your team plays on a certain day, say the Saturday then you should be allowed to play with either another same age team in a different league on a different day or play with an amateur team on a different day. Giving the lad more experience with different styles and standards of play to learn from. The only reason why both youth teams would clash is that they are draw with each other in the Scottish or regional so the lad should only be allowed to play in the Scottish or regional with the team of his choice. Or the only way he should be connected with an amateur team and youth team is that he is sent off or suspended, meaning his misses games for both teams.

The league cup, believe it or not is invaluable to some clubs in getting their players ready for the league. The problem is there's too many teams in it. it used to be in two league cups, one for Ayrshire and one for central, groups of 5 teams then went to quarterfinals and then was over quickly, it did seem to drag on this year, that's for sure, obviously with the poster stating Kilwinning hand injuries and Pollok too are still suffering and I'm sure many other teams are the same. Players do want to play in games and win cups and nothing wrong with that but can understand why others want the league cup binned. I remember staring my first game of the season was against Pollok at Newlandsfield in the league cup and it let us get our rustiness over with but the following year because we had 5 teams in our group we had to play a league game against Johnstone Burgh for our first game and again rustiness was a problem, we did win the game 2.1 but definitely its good to get the league cup sectional games in for all the player to gel in time for the important league games. So really I'm not sure what can be done

What Does Your JUNIOR CLUB Do To Get Youth Interested ? We all know, especially in junior football, quite a lot are stuck in their ways and don't like change, especially the older supporter, this is not always a bad thing and sometimes understandable but time never stands still and we have to progress and every team will need players in 2, 5, 10 years time to continue, so you obviously have to get them for somewhere and a good youth policy of some kind helps. I have worked with Rossvale, Pollok and Clydebank Youth academies and watched how they operate with the junior teams, seen some great things, some things I don't like but all in all they are trying their best. For me the biggest effect for your club can be stimulating the youths of tomorrow that they want to play for your club. I am a Benburb supporter, why because I remember standing at Tinto park in 1980 at 10 year old, holding my dads hand, god rest his soul, waiting on the buses to take us to Hampden park for the Scottish cup final. I stood there and said to my dad, "this is the team I want to play for", which eventually I did went onto play and captain. This effect on the youth is invaluable to many teams if they only put it to good use. I was at Dalry recently and took my 10 year old nephew to the home game v St Rochs. I paid my fee and he got in for free and the ticketer gave me a blue ticket for my nephew and with this, it meant he got a free burger or hotdog, free chips, a can of juice and a bag of chips. he came away from a mental game, 6.5 to Dalry and he said he loved it, (even being soaked in the rain), and wanted to go to all Dalry matches. He went to his School the next day and told all his friends and then recently my sister told me that 3 of his friends are coming to a Dalry game with my nephew to watch Dalry play. This is now in his mind to be part of Dalry and so many other clubs should think of these ideas or others to get more youths interested n their teams PollokFc allow all Youth academy players in for nothing and you can see the effect this have with the interest because if the lads play at a different times then they will be at the first team game screaming for Pollok and then at half time you see all the kids on the park playing, wanting to be like their football stars. So do you think your junior team is doing enough for the youths of tomorrow, either working with the youth teams or giving kids freebies at games, meeting players etc.. ? Any ideas do share as it helps to keep as these boys and girls in football in the future and if the club benefit with some of them growing up and playing for them then even better. Just wanna say well done to Dalry, its a great idea and I'm sure the effect will be so beneficial to Dalry in the future (thumb)

Even worse if the linesman doesn't even help the referee loll

ffs you all still going on about this - Who cares, its done. Players can point out offending opponent to a referee. Coaches can point out an offending opponent to a referee.. The referee can and should only act if he sees the incident or take advice from the linesman or 4th official and now allegedly VAR. If the referee took advice from a player to book another player then that ref is wrong or in the case of the Pollok v Kilbirnie game, typical of how bad a ref he was. From what I gather the referee booked the right player, so what's the big deal It shows you how bad the referee was, we have Kilbirnie and Pollok fans agreeing that the referee was terrible. AND if they're both agreeing then that ref musta been really, really bad.

What's fans and committees views of the team they support, represent ? Are you happy for them to stay in the junior ranks or do you think they would do well to leave and join the senior ranks ? Don't even need to post on this, just good to see everyone's view by a poll. I didn't realize I could add a poll to this, thanks to the poster who informed me (thumb) So sorry folks, deleted other post to start again with a Poll

This has already been commented on the youth forum and I think many are for it. The problem is the SYFA and the SAFA, they are quite happy in their jobs and don't really want to make changes. If a lad is committed to his youth team and say they play on a sunday and a amateur team play on a sunday then he should be able to do so as there will never cross over each other unless, the lad is sent off his youth team then maybe he should be suspended from all football if say, its a game ban

The pro youth academies, so many names for it but the way it works for every 30 boys in each team, the club are really only interested in about 2 of them and the rest are fodder and most of the parents don't realise this. We got about 6 boys from Clyde into our Rossvale youth teams all at the same age and you could see they were scunnered. Some of those boys eventually packed football in and don't even think they are playing amateur now but as a few posters have stated above, its todays environment that most of us have to work, work late and work weekends

This is probably the worst season so far that I have know with the views of most people that the referees have been awful, there's not to many junior games this season I've been impressed with the referee

pmsl, that isn't true and I aint a Pollok supporter. In the first game at Kilbirnie, the penalty for Kilbirnie was not a penalty, which I was perfectly positioned, the keeper saved the ball and the kirlbirnie player fell over the keepers hand after the keeper had hit the ball. Player even got up quickly to get the ball for a cross then laughed when ref gave penalty. The one with Forde hitting the deck I thought was a stone Waller but the highlights changed my decision. The one which hit the Kilbirnie players arm n hand which I thought was not a penalty but looking at the highlights evidence is a penalty. I can see the Kilbirne game v Pollok that the Lok fans were screaming that the ref was a homer but think todays game the ref was bad for both. Todays game highlights I don't think its a penalty for a push on Gal but with the referees positioning I can see why he thought the Kilbirnie no7 touched the Pollok player. from all accounts, even on the Pollok forum fans are saying referee was horrendous for both sets of players. Good referees are referees you hardly see during a game and deal with problems straight away and end it then letting the football take center stage.

Football teams are in decline, youth football and amateur football. There are so many reasons, youths as they get older have other interests, drink, girls, playstations xbox, online, nightlife etc.. There will always be amateur football, that's for sure but it will eventually reach certain level because of the environment that we live in. 30 odd years ago we had tons of youth teams and tons and tons of amateurs as nearly everyone played football. You'll see problems on the youth sections of their forum and by a certain extent the same for amateurs. Even the price of parks, the referee can take its toll. Astro parks costing £100 then referee about £30-40, that's £130 odd for a game of football. Add to that there is less parks with all the new housing estates being built. Some amateur teams are connected with the junior teams as in training beside them and some could be closer but it is hard. As long as each league are organised well and are looking to improve and ideas to keep amateur football interesting then it will add to a continued amateur football experience in Scotland.

Yeah I heard from both sets of fans that he was bad for both. Doesn't matter if the camera picks or not picks it up, as it really depends on the referees angle/ view and if he saw it and then if he saw it, what's his decision. There are about a hundred of little infringement that go on in most games that most fans don't see, certainly referee and linesmen don't see but if the referee and or lines do see each incident and act accordingly then this forum would be boring and we all only be talking about the pyramid system and if the juniors will join lolol

Thanks for that Lok I don't think any of them were penalties. The first one the, Lok 10 kicks out, doesn't look as if he touches the Kilbirnie player or the ball, the Kilbirnie player his the deck and has a quick look at referee to see if hes given it then his face on the ground.. The lok penalty, it looks like the Kilbirnie no 7 touches the Pollok player in the melee and the lok player goes down but the touch if it happened is not enough for him to go down, think he felt the touch while surrounded by players and went down Tell you what, great save from the pollok keeper to touch onto bar

I don't mean it in a bad way, just the pressure of trying to get Clydebank higher on the coaching side and playing is a bit too much as he sometimes seemed to take too much responsibility on the park and you could see it effected him if they didn't do well. I think its going to be an interesting management and coaching team. As players you pick up coaching tips and ideas and have your own vision. I have worked with coaches whom I get on well with but my vision and way to play might be a little different to them. I'm looking forward to see how David and the rest of his team fair. Good luck to them all

Sorry I'm not with Rossvale youth academy any longer. I remember him last year as I was coaching with the Clydebank U19s. Yip, he's a nice lad, , totally agree and very accommodating.. My own personal viewpoint, hope he doesn't go over as a player / coach, think he should stick to the coaching. Think he was taking on too much with the duel role and best to concentrate on one

Totally get it BTID why you don't want to go into U21s. The U21 set up hasn't changed in a long, long time, too many committee people think there is nothing wrong or even look to the future on how to progress the league,, they're just happy doing their own thing. is that their fault, not really, its the SFA and SYFA who act with the same attitude as if nothing is wrong. This is not to pick out a particular coach but its quite similar to many coaches views, not looking at the bigger picture and what to do that would help improve the youth system. I remember I was at Newlandsfield, (Pollokfc home ground) for a Pollok youth teams Scottish cup tie, cant remember what age, about U13s or U14. Pollokfc allowed them to use the park to host the tie, so good advertising, online etc.. so a nice we crowd arrived to watch. I spoke to a coach before the game who many know as he's been in the game at a certain older youth level said to me "aye they just kicking a ball about". I just thought to myself, this guy hasn't got a clue, this is the stuff for younger lads, to play at the local semi professional teams ground and think wow, this is who I want to play for. This coach just does not understand the effect these kind of things can have/ has on kids for their future and footballs future. its not his fault, hes just stuck in his way as are many. Yes it would be great to have a development squad and bring them up to the development into a competitive league but obviously the current structures by the SFA and SYFA don't allow such to be part of the development leagues. Clydebank and Pollok could certainly handle it, quite easily infact. and I'm sure there are many more throughout the country who could do the same. I am a coach, especially at youth level but I have decided just not to not bother as I feel there's too many blinkered people looking after their own self importance, restricting lads from progressing. There is nothing more than being true and focused on the youths safety while having fun at their club and their development for a chance to go to a higher league but we need everyone onboard from the top right down. Obviously most might know, well I hope so, there is a interest and big debate on junior teams joining the pyramid system and for me with that there needs to be a youth system ready to join/ development teams in place and thus, the development leagues in operation will benefit by all these organised teams bringing life back into a Scottish football system that is, regarded by many at a low ebb just now. It will also be beneficial, I think to U21 level as you still need it as the junior teams, senior teams can still have U21 teams joined at the hip, giving these lads knowledge that there is a pathway. Right now its hard as I'm sure there are many within the U21 set up, most of the SYFA and quite a lot of the SFA don't want to change, they want to keep it cosy the way it is. Am I being hard hitting, no I don't believe I am, I'm only speaking from experience on what I've witness and speaking to many in the game.

Good luck to David in his first managerial appointment. His last games for Pollok played was to help the Lok out as he was struggling with injury but Pollok had too many players unavailable so he said he would play. In that regards he has a good attitude and was a presence about the park. He will get things wrong during his reign and will get things right, same as every premiership manager this season, hope he gets most right and learns from the mistakes as some managers do not learn.. Right now, I've watched Rossvale a few times and from every team I've seen so far in the premier, I expect Rossvale to go down so a few changes have to be made. its not a view expecting to be ridicule's, its just a view of watching them so far and other teams, having coached at Rossvale academy and then recently been asked again I want to see Rossvale do well

We did our own sightseeing but without doubt do the Vatican tour from ciccevechia. Saves time and hassle, gets you in the door quickly and you get to see the coliseum on way back. the buffets at great, ocean view restaurant , great choice, you will be allocated a time for either the dolphin restaurant and depending how many with you, if just you or you and partner you might sit at a table with two other cruisers and you just chat away and see if you get on lolol, exciting, but you can always go to the buffets restaurants. the shows are excellent, watch out for the four Chinese matrix act, amazing (thumb)

Its not a pollok spat, I think its a Killwinning fan and a pollok fan with different views but I think ultimately were all betting to see if we all can get this post to have the most views for a 'Todays score' post :-)) Are we there yet ?

Sorry, they did not work with or assisted. I was at the heart of it and sometimes I was coaching 5 days a week at Pollok academy, working with youth coaches and different youth ages as well as my designated team and during that spell, successful I may add in winning leagues and helping produce boys for a higher level, we never had any help from any first team coaching staff except once, when one of the coaches took one training session and the manager was at 5 games in 2 years at our successful U19s youth team . The first team now train down at nethercraigs, beside most teams in the youth academy so there may have been changes now and more connection but from 2016 to midway through 2018/19 season when I left it was not inspiring to say the least. I'd say its probably best to end it there. Pollok juniors are a successful team but should be winning more, the fans want it, the management want it and the committee want it, just working together is the best way. Every other junior teams in the west have the same views, well should do and some are more or less successful than Pollok in recent years. I'm sure every fan of each team have their own view of how good their team is, has been and intend to be, so keep on supporting your teams through thick and thin

I will back Pollok up in many ways to the hilt when required and yes I do get bored on here with all the too and throwing of daft arguments but please do not say they have developed the Pollok Youth academy. Pollok FC certainly have not and its an insult to the volunteers who have constantly worked for the academy to get them a Scottish platinum quality mark which only a few Scottish academies have and the only one as far as I know to have acknowledgment from UEFA.

So disappointing first half. Maryhill hit the post with a great shot from a cross cum pass from the left wing, then EK went up the park and scored but called offside due to the infringing player who either touched the shot or blocked the keepers view, I was unsure what reason. Then EK scored from a header resulted from a corner on the EK right. To be honest after 5 minute EK started to find their range of passing but the movement was the thing that killed Maryhill. The Maryhill center halfs, one was the captain, think he's just back from holiday or injury's so getting match sharp and the young center half were constantly exposed by the Maryhill midfield, Ek not only had one man free but at times seemed to have 2 due to their movement. I know a few of the EK boys, two u19 players now with the reserves and one from the Ek99s and the forward No 9. They all had good games, composed and moved Maryhill about. Ht was 3.0 to Ek then they was whole sale changes as the manger stated in the dressing room before the game, it was more a team of their normal players but for me, when coaching this does not tell em anything, I think too many newbies or fringe players were in the first half and should have been speared about with more first team players playing beside them which would give you more an idea, as the right back was a newbie, the young center half was a newbie and the captain just coming back, I believe and the left back, sweet left foot but we found out quite a few times by the impressive wing play of the EK right wing. Maryhill did look more composed but it was due tot he two current center halfs playing and two midfielders were told to play deeper so they weren't over run. A wee melee ensued which Maryhill should have score 3 times over, lolol but the ball bounced back and was hit home by the Maryhill player. I left with 15 minutes to go at 1.3 so not sure how it finished. just wanna say, it as a friendly and it was nice that one of the staff came out and passed about a 2 page programme on tonight's game, a nice wee thought, thanks guys (thumb)