Balague: Sad to see United youth sides go it alone

Personally, I think it’s a shame that our offer of better coaching and facilities, including improved ones at Second Meadow, coupled with a proportionately cheaper deal for the youngsters was not accepted by the coaches and parents.

After meeting with the coaches and the chairman of the organisation we were informed that they would talk to the parents and explain our proposals.

In addition to a written question and answer dialogue that took place, we also offered to meet and talk directly to parents and whoever wanted to speak to us, but our offer, for whatever reason, was never taken up

I honestly wish them well for the future.

What it means is that we are now two totally different entities and how that translates itself in practical terms surrounding the day to day running and naming of both organisations is something we are going to have to discuss sooner rather than later.

But our plans for the Biggleswade United Academy go ahead. We are a planning a re-organisation to house new sides. We are converting some of the car park into another floodlit mini pitch for some of the younger sides so parents can even keep warm from the sanctuary of the clubhouse while simultaneously watching their children train.

We will press ahead with our plans to offer local youngsters the best possible coaching and football environment available in the area and to anyone that wishes to make use of it, our door is always open.

Meanwhile we continue our search to recruit new players at all age groups.

We had our first highly successful midweek trials last Tuesday and we have found a number of top quality players that we know will help us to strengthen our new under 18 side.

We also have the Elite Development Programme in conjunction with Stevenage FC and we are now actively looking to find players to recruit for that. There are also further trials planned for all age groups from 6 to 18 as well as the senior side and the under 23s throughout the next few weeks.

Find dates and details about how to attend on the club web site or contact Academy Chief Fran Constancio on [email protected]

Please do not be misled or intimidated by the word ‘trials’. They are, more than anything, just a no-pressure, fun, open door invitation to all youngsters, and adults for that matter, to come and play football, to show us what they can do.

More importantly it is an opportunity for us to tell them what we are about and what we are trying to build for the youth of Biggleswade and the surrounding area.

This week we face two more away games starting with a trip to Broxbourne Borough tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) and then London Tigers on Tuesday night (7.45pm). See you there.