AFC Mansfield to run U21 team next season
It will see the Forest Town club reintroduce an under-21 side for the first time since 2017, with the young Bulls playing in the North Midlands Development League.
Current Bulls skipper Phil Buxton and U16 manager Wayne Clarke will co-manage the new side in a plan to reinvent the development pathway at the Forest Town Arena.
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Hide AdClub Chairman Andy Saunders said it was “about time” that the Bulls began to re-construct their youth system.
“We’ve been talking about relaunching the U21s for a while, it’s a hugely important part of the grassroots game to have a proper development pathway from the very bottom all the way up to the first team,” said Mr Saunders.
“Without a proper youth setup we’re just a first team rather than a football club, and that’s not what myself and my fellow directors envisaged when we founded AFC Mansfield eight years ago.
“But we’re finally taking action and I’m really looking forward to seeing Bucko and Wayne take on this new challenge.”
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Hide AdDespite still being in its youth, the Bulls’ academy has produced fine talent in the past, most notably 21-year-old defender Jordan Annable who made his debut for the Bulls in April 2016.
Now considered a key player in Matt Chatfield’s side, Annable joined the AFC setup at the age of 15 and since has made 169 appearances for the Bulls in all competitions, scoring on six occasions.