Archived News from June 2010
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CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE CLOSES /HOLMES IS YOUTH COACH
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Statement re: Centre of Excellence
Posted on: Mon 21 Jun 2010 We are hugely disappointed to announce that, after great efforts to keep it alive, our Centre of Excellence has been forced to close. Our funding from the Football League has now ceased after two years in the Blue Square Premier. To run a Centre of Excellence costs a minimum of £90,000 per season and despite great efforts from club officials and parents alike, sponsorship and other grant-aided schemes have been unsuccessful. A small parents' committee had put a funding proposal together which would cost each individual child £80 per month to fund the Centre. Unfortunately, we did not feel this proposal had sustainability and the Centre may have shut halfway through the season due to the lack of funding. Chairman Andrew Perry said: "I am hugely disappointed that we have been forced into position. Being out of the Football League for two years now has dealt us a massive blow with the loss of funding to our Centre. "I am endeavouring to make sure we still have a seemless supply of local young footballers who will be able to pull on the famous amber and blue shirt. "As one door closes, another one opens. We are now looking to develop a partnership with one of the biggest youth leagues in the country can be the link between Mansfield born lads striving to be a part of our youth setup and finally, the first team. "Talks with the Chad youth league are ongoing and I am sure we can forge a fantastic partnership to benefit the young up and coming footballers of Mansfield. "We would like to put on record our thanks to the efforts of parents, coaches and obviously our young players for all their hard work and commitment. As always, the club has an open-door policy and will assist and anyway we can to put the young players in touch with other centres or any other local football club." Mike Whitlow and his backroom staff have since left their posts to take up other roles in football. --------------------- Evening Post, 22 June 2010 Meanwhile, the club have confirmed they are axing their Centre of Excellence. Mansfield's funding from the Football League has now ended after two years in the Blue Square Premier. To run a Centre of Excellence costs a minimum of £90,000 per season. Chairman Andy Perry said: "I am hugely disappointed that we have been forced into this position." --------------------- Gareth Holmes to become new youth team coach in Stags re-jig Evening Post, June 21, 2010 DAVID Holdsworth insists Gareth Holmes will not be taking a backward step in moving from first-team coach to youth team manager. http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Holmes-new-youth-team-coach-Stags-jig/article-2327552-detail/article.html? Former Hucknall and Ilkeston player Holmes is to take charge of the youngsters after Mike Whitlow left as head of youth development. The club has already announced their intention to stop financial backing for the centre of excellence teams from under-nines to under-16s, which costs around £90,000 each year. But the youth side will continue in the hope of bringing through the next generation of talent. At first team level, Holdsworth has appointed a new assistant-manager in former Blackburn coach Duncan Russell. "With the changes in the youth department and losing Mike Whitlow, we had to make sure there was an appointment we were comfortable with," said Holdsworth. "Both myself and the chairman thought Gareth would be an ideal choice and hopefully he can continue to make his way in the game. "It is just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's because we don't know exactly how things will work with the youth team next season. "But it's important we still attract young players. Gareth is someone we can trust and it's certainly not a backward step. He will continue to learn his trade." Holdsworth is looking forward to working with Russell, who he knows from spells at Walsall and MK Dons. Holdsworth said: "I have worked with Duncan twice before and he will bring a wealth of experience. "I have been operating as a one-man band for a long time, so it's great to have someone of his capabilities. "He came recommended by Paul Ince and he believes in all the same things as I do. He wants strong organisation and discipline." ------------------ |
Latest | June 2010