This article about our U21s side, from Matt Tennant, reflects on their first season as a team, as pre-season friendlies are underway ahead of their upcoming season…
Bromsgrove Sporting’s U21’s debut season has come to an end and, as preparations for the 25/26 season get underway, we are taking time to reflect on the many successes of the club’s development side in their first season.
The team finished third in the Midland Football League’s U21 South Division, after an impressive campaign that included long winning streaks and strong away form.
“As preparations for the new season begin, I wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on a fantastic first season for our U21 team,” said the Director of Football at Sporting, Iain Queen.
“We have been delighted with the progress that the team have made, and a massive part of that is down the management team. Mark (Reeve), Stuart (Carson) and Pete (Rose) have worked tirelessly to put together a competitive group of lads, who week after week having given everything for the club. They are a fantastic group of lads and I know from speaking to the management team that they have been a pleasure to coach week in week out.
“Our journey started with over 180 applicants, so there was a real interest from local players to come and represent Bromsgrove Sporting FC. Over the course of the season, players have come and gone and I would like to personally thank them all for their efforts when putting on a Bromsgrove Sporting shirt,” said Queen.
Last season, the team fought hard throughout their fixtures in the South Division, which ignited a thrilling battle with Bedworth United U21s.
The two sides frequently traded positions throughout the season until Bromsgrove narrowly stepped ahead of the Greenbacks to claim a hard-fought podium finish.
Under-21s coach, Pete Rose, said: “I think the team gelled from day one, in no part because of their character.
“There’s no egos or bad eggs and when we ask them to put a shift in at training or during a game they all do so with no questions or fuss.
“As a coach, the most pleasing thing for me is that I can see that the players have developed and improved as the season progressed. As we played games, you could see momentum building and each week we looked stronger as a unit.”
The U21s also enjoyed spirited matchups in the Worcestershire Cup, which saw electrifying local action that included goalscoring frenzies and last minute penalty shootout glory.
The team progressed to the semi-finals, where they faced Meadow Park FC away, but despite their best efforts, the home side took the win to end a thrilling competition for Bromsgrove.
Although the team has achieved a series of impressive results in their debut season, arguably the most astounding was their performance in the MFL Challenge Bowl, in which they won five out of five group stage fixtures, with perfect away form helping them finish joint top out of 19 teams.
After stunnning in the group stage, the U21s progressed to the quarter finals and semi finals, where they were beaten by Stourbridge U21s after an intense second half. This match brought the Rouslers’ first season to a close.
Bromsgrove Sporting’s U21s joint-manager, Mark Reeve, said: “From the 2024 trials, to the backing of Bromsgrove Sporting and our sponsors to end of season, we couldn’t have asked for much more last season.
“Finishing third in the League and joint top in the Challenge bowl, with a semi final placement, capped off a fine first year for the team.”
It’s no secret that the intention of a development team is to nurture young talent and create bona fide pathways to play at a higher level within the club.
Over the last year, many Bromsgrove U21s players signed forms for the first team, with three of those players joining the men’s team for the 25/26 season.
Zac Powell was the first to be recruited by the first team after attracting attention in the early days of the U21s group. He was followed by Archie Thurston and Bo Morris, who signed up for first team duties in October 2024 after impressing in their early appearances for the U21s, with goalkeeper Charlie McNamara also receiving the call up and stunning spectators on a number of occasions.
“What was also pleasing was to see numerous players go on and play for the first team,” continued Iain Queen.
“Zac Powell was picked up by the first team after impressing in the initial trials, then other players such as Charlie McNamara, Bo Morris, and Archie Thurston have all gone on to represent the first team.”
Powell, Thurston, Morris and McNamara making their debuts has shown the significant success of Bromsgrove’s new development side and has developed a relationship between both the U21s and first team management with a common interest in creating opportunities for young talent.
Since then, a number of U21s players have also been given opportunities to train with the first team and gain additional experience, with George Gillon, Josh Burgess and Fin Carson being the latest names to put pen to paper and make the step up to the Men’s team.
“So far this pre season we have had Fin Carson, George Gillon and Josh Burgess all play a part in pre season. These are all signs that the pathway is working.”
The three U21s alumni have continued training with the first team and will be available for selection in the upcoming season.
Queen added: “Like any non league club, it is difficult to keep hold of players who are performing well, and I encourage any young player to remain patient, stick with your coaches and, if you are good enough, the opportunities will come.
“It is a big jump from the development league up to Step Three, but the club have contacts with many local clubs who we can send our youngsters out with to experience a different environment. If they are developing under our Bromsgrove Sporting banner, then it is much easier for us to track and monitor their progress.”
Pete Rose added: “This season will bring its own challenges and, as a team, we need to set ourselves some targets to ensure we push each other to maximise the undoubted ability all the boys have.”
The U21s continue preperations for their second season with pre-season action well underway. You can catch the team back on the field for the start of their 25/26 season very soon!
