Matt Tennant has written an in-depth review of our Under 21s side’s season so far…
We’re already half-way through another captivating season of football and the Bromsgrove Sporting U21s team have embraced challenges to make an inspiring and entertaining start to their second season. New names, competitive games and progress made, this is the perfect point to relive the the team’s journey so far and show the benefit of the club’s development pathway.
Following the success of the 24/25 season, the Under 21s held trials in the summer to discover new talent. Many key names from the previous year’s squad had moved on to new challenges, with some offered opportunities with larger clubs after being recognised at Sporting, and others signing deals with Bromsgrove Sporting’s first team.
Bromagrove Sporting Under-21s joint-manager, Stuart Carson, said: “Following an outstanding first season, the summer was a testing time and one to learn from to be honest.
“A number of the lads, based on their performances, were picked off by Step Five or Six clubs, which left us looking to recruit once again.
“Not every member of our squad will play for the first team, but as a coaching team we still want the lads to play at the highest level possible. Although we didn’t wish for them to leave, they all left in the right manner. We wished them well and continue to monitor their development.”
While these changes are evidence of a successful development team, the new combination of established players and fresh faces had to learn how to work together and play as a new group for the first time.
Bromsgrove Sporting’s Football Development Officer, Iain Queen, said: “After a year of transition, the management team have put together a strong set of lads who are keen to learn and progress.
“As ever, players come and go and some new young and hungry players have arrived into our U21 pathway, who are keen to progress into men’s football.”
But it was no smooth start for the Rouslers, with two 3-1 losses to begin the season. Stuck towards the bottom of the table, it quickly became clear that the team had a lot of work to do if they were going to reach the similar levels of performance as seen in the previous season.
“With the success of last year and the progression made by the players, it was inevitable that we would lose some of last season’s lads to adult football,” said under-21s coach Pete Rose.
“Whilst this is disruptive, it is the purpose of an under-21 team and something we embrace rather than avoid.
“This inevitably led to a period of flux within the squad with a number of new players to assess and integrate. Unfortunately, this did affect the results in the first few weeks and whilst there were good individual performances, we hadn’t quite gelled as a team.”
To rectify this, the team trained hard and consistently began showing signs of improvement in their teamwork and individual performances. This was reflected by two strong home wins against Cadbury Athletic U21 (2-1) and Sporting Khalsa Youth U21 (3-1) at the end of September, proving to the club and the players that progress was being made and that they were capable of delivering results.
Offering an honest review of the team’s start to the season, Under 21s joint-manager, Mark Reeve, said: “From the redevelopment of the U21’s, new faces have taken time to settle down and gel.
“It was a slow start in all fairness losing our first three games in the league.”
Stu Carson agreed, adding: “For the first few games, we didn’t hit the levels required and I think as a new group, the players had to learn to play at this level.”
The absence of many players limited playing options and stalled the team’s development which resulted in back to back league losses as well as an unflattering 1-5 knockout defeat to AFC Kempsey in the Worcestershire Football Association Saturday Cup.
Despite this dip in form, the team kept pushing and as the full squad became available again, the players could continue developing as a unit and get a better understanding of everyone’s abilities.
From then on, the team appeared unstoppable, bagging three consecutive league wins including a commanding 4-0 derby win to local rivals Redditch United U21, a 0-3 clean sheet on the road against Diamonds Acdemy U21 and a 1-4 victory against Colaville Town Ravens U21.
“Through a great attitude from all, we found some form and put together some good performances,” Stu Carson said.
“We took massive encouragement from our last game against Coalville, where I thought the boys did everything we asked of them. What was even more pleasing was seeing our second year players start to take on more responsibility, which shows they are progressing.”
This unrelenting stampede of victories pushed the side up to eleventh in the table on fifteen points, leaving memories of their bottom of the table struggles firmly in the past.
There have also been a number of under-21s players given the opportunity to train with Bromsgrove Sporting’s first team with Pete Rose explaining that: “five got minutes during preseason and a further five or six players have been involved in their (first team) training sessions.”
Some have also appeared on the teamsheet for Bromsgrove Sporting’s Men’s Team, including Fin Carson, who was called up to the bench for the first team’s match against Stourbridge.
This month, Carson appeared on the bench again for the first team alongside fellow under-21s teammate Josh Burgess, in the side’s penalty shootout victory over Worcester Raiders in the Worcestershire Senior Cup.
“It has been great to see some of the lads training alongside the first team this season and hopefully some of them get an opportunity to push on into the first team should it arise,” said Iain Queen.
“It is a fantastic experience for these young players to be in and around the senior players and it is important that they make the most of the opportunity.”
But it wasn’t just under-21s players who have been involved with the first team so far this season. Joint-manager Stuart Carson and Coach Pete Rose have stepped up to assist the first team in training sessions.
Iain Queen extended the club’s thanks to the pair: “The club is very grateful for Stuart Carson and Pete Rose for stepping in and helping out with training during our first team management change.
“Like with the players, this will have been a great experience for the U21 management team’s own development and something which I know they enjoyed.”
The team have been denied any game time since early November due to poor weather conditions. Yet, the team have battled through these conditions and braved the cold to keep training and bettering themselves, for when they can finally get back out on the field in the New Year.
Looking ahead, Stuart Carson said: “We have trained well and the lads are chomping at the bit to get playing again.
“With the correct attitude and application, we hope to push on in the second half of the season to maximise their potential.
“Many thanks to all our volunteers, supporters and everyone at the club. We really appreciate all your support and encouragement.
“If you’re spare on a Saturday morning, come and please give the boys your support.”
You can stay up to date with fixtures, match results and all the latest Bromsgrove Sporting U21s news on Instagram (@bromsgrovesporting_u21dev), X (Twitter @rouslersu21s) and the club’s website.
