Another young side to scale new heights in 2023/24 was United’s Under 11s, who enjoyed a successful debut season in the Junior Premier League.
With the team now at ease playing at 9-a-side level, the lads have developed a very good understanding of passing through the lines, whilst also holding a high defensive line. Another target set out for the group was to focus on playing key passes and overloading the opposition, with the squad responding excellently to the challenge.
After a remarkable campaign that has already seen the team competing well at a high level – and winning 16 games along the way – a 3rd place finish in the South West Premier League Trophy saw our Young Gulls narrowly miss out on a place in the National Finals.
There’s more excitement to come though, as later this month, the U11s travel to Stevenage to play in the Pro Academy Tournament in a group that includes Arsenal, Genk(Belgium), Reading, Norwich & local rivals Exeter City.
Unsurprisingly, Manager Ian Wooldridge & Coach Shane Shobbrook are excited for what the future holds, and have high expectations for their promising group of players, who will now test themselves against some of the best Academy Teams in Europe – Best of luck, Yellows!
Squad Summary
- Goalkeeper Oliver Roberts has made some crucial saves, and his distribution has been an asset to the team this season
- New Goalkeeper signing from Exeter City Charlie Jennings has also had a big impact in the squad
- Central Defender Jack O’Connor has had an excellent first season in the side’s backline, whilst contributing 5 goals and 3 assists at the other end
- Central defensive partner Jake Jolly also had a great season, finishing with 1 goal and an impressive 9 assists
- Left back Lewis Bradley is developing well, and added 2 goals with 2 assists of his own
- Winger/Defender Toby Young scored 5 goals and finished with 8 assists
- Left Winger Finley Stephens has excelled in his first season, finishing with 19 goals & 19 assists
- Central Midfielder Lukas Poblocki finished the season with an impressive 19 goals & 13 assists
- Central Midfield partner Jackson Wooldridge scored 18 goals whilst bagging 28 assists
- New Midfield signing Henry Cooper added 6 goals & 8 assists to make an instant impact
- Striker Teddy Shobbrook’s 46 goals made him the league’s top-scorer, and crowned an excellent season
All in all, it has been a very impressive year for these exciting young players, and they will certainly be ones to watch out for in the months and years to come!
