Pinxton hope new devolpment team can give first team a boost

Joint boss Kenny Shinfield believes the creation of Pinxton’s new development team will help to finally springboard his team to promotion.
Pinxton U18's will now become the club's development side.Pinxton U18's will now become the club's development side.
Pinxton U18's will now become the club's development side.

The club has been knocking on the door for a number of seasons but has fallen just shy of winning promotion from Central Midlands Football League’s South Division

Next season the Wharf Road club will run a development team in the Central Midlands Division One South following a revamp of their U18’s set up.

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And Shinfield is confident that the quality is there to give his first team the boost they need over the next two years.

“Most of the squad have only just turned 16 so I expect it to be a two year learning curve for them,” he said.

“A couple of them are big lads and hopefully will be pushing for a first-team place soon.

“We have been on the edge of promotion for a number of seasons and just not had the luck to go up.

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“I think with the kids that we have, if we can keep them together, then in a couple of years we are capable of going up two or three leagues.”

“The club has done well to keep getting really good sides. When you see clubs asking to be relegated or folding, we are desperate for the chance to get up there.”

Last season the U18’s team, which was made up mostly of 15 year-olds, topped the Notts Youth League before the season was cut short.

It is hoped the new team will create a pathway to first team football for the teens as well as giving fringe first team players the opportunity to get minutes under the belt.

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And Shinfield knows those experienced heads will have a key role in nurturing the youngsters as they continue their life and football journey.

“The young lads have been together since U9’s, but at different clubs,” he added.

“They were winning everything at U16’s and it was too easy for them. After discussions it was decided that the transition into adult football was needed.

“It is a big step up for the team, going from 16 year old lads to playing against fully grown men is going to be hard in terms of the physical side,” he said.

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“In terms of football ability there is no problem, they are really good lads - but it will be a step up.

“It is hard to get a balance with a development side. For some of the lads, going into a dressing room full of adults will be daunting.

“We are one club, when you join one team you join them both.

“We are big believers in treating them as adults, even though they are still young kids. We want good attitudes and commitment.

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“We are going to train and socialise together and it is learning life skills for them as well.

“They will be starting working or doing what they do after leaving school. It is a massive time in their lives. Some will play this season and maybe never play again.”