The first half of the year was about last year’s team, consisting of a majority of second year players. It was a good squad that had been together for a while and had gained valuable experience in their first year together on the two-year cycle of being a midweek Under-18 player.

This led to them having a good second season. They progressed the furthest a Stamford 18s team had got in the FA Youth Cup, eventually losing narrowly away to Mickleover who are a full-time academy. Great journey and memories.

In the League they narrowly came second to a good Rushden team, whom they also went onto play in the League Cup final - again just missing out 3-2.

With the very high standard at midweek football, that squad should be very pleased with what they achieved. They also helped and encouraged younger players for the new season.

Well done lads, and it is good to see quite a few of you taking the springboard into men’s football.

Entering the second half of 2024 and the beginning of the new season, the two-year cycle begins. With only four second-year players remaining, pre-season started early with lots of training and friendlies to get them ready for what was to come.

Additionally, Mark Britton and eventually Adam Frost were added to help the Management team of Paul Walker and Dave Lewis.

The first four or five league games were about getting to know the level and high tempo needed throughout the games. We had mixed results, but development was happening with every game.

The highlight for the young squad early season was beating Ashby Ivanhoe in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at home in front of big crowd on the main pitch at the Zeeco Stadium. Great memories. We eventually went out to a very strong Coalville team in the next round.

The boys have now settled down to the level needed to compete at this level, finishing very strong before Christmas, winning five on the bounce. A great Achievement for such a young squad.

With hard work, the boys are progressing in the right direction this season, gaining valuable experience for next season.

Well done to all the boys and the management team for this year. The club are very proud of the Young Daniels pathway from Under-7s through to midweek football at youth level.

The opportunity is now there for them to continue along the pathway into the club’s reserve side pushing for a second consecutive promotion this season, with seven or eight players from last year’s midweek squad.

Here’s for continued success for 2025, beginning with a tough league game away at FC Peterborough on Thursday 9 January.

By Paul Walker