AFC to expand youth section next season

COMMUNITY soccer outfit Hinckley AFC are expanding their junior set-up. The club is looking for managers to take charge of new U17s and U18s sides as well as existing teams for next season.

The club, wholly owned by its supporters and which plays its home games at Heather St Johns, hopes the growth will help bring through more homegrown players, offering better opportunities to local footballers.

A spokesman said: “For the 2017-18 season, we will be introducing youth level teams under the Hinckley AFC banner for the first time, with an U17s team to play in the Midland Junior Premier League and an U18s side competing in the Midland Floodlit Youth League.

“In particular, we are looking for managers for these sides with previous experience of youth level coaching needed, while we are also looking for managers for our other sides from U7s upwards.

“The two new teams competing in the Midland junior leagues will expand our number of teams at junior level, and will provide a greater pathway for youngsters to follow Lewis Riley’s footsteps into the first team.”

Central midfielder, Riley, aged 16, made history when he became the first player from AFC’s juniors to feature in a firstteam matchday squad. He was an unused substitute on his first inclusion against Lutterworth Town in October last year but made his debut the following Saturday when he came on from the bench in the 12-0 trouncing of Southam United.

For more information, or to register your interest, contact Hinckley AFC juniors chairman Mark Parsons by emailing chairman@hinckleyafcjuniors.org.uk or Andy Biffin on andy.biffin@hinckleyafc.org.uk