Deans boss hits back at ‘disrespect’ comments

Michael Birmingham has no regrets about fielding Horndean’s under-18s in the Portsmouth Senior Cup semifinal at Baffins Milton Rovers.

A team containing many 16 and 17-year-olds were given the chance of taking on a virtually full strength Baffins XI at the PMC Stadium on Wednesday.

Birmingham was delighted with their performance in a 3-0 loss to a team which contained four players - Zak Sharp, Miles Everett, Tommy Scutt and Charlie Searle - who played Southern League and Isthmian League football last season.

‘People have said I was disrespectful to Baffins by fielding my under-18s,’ said Birmingham. ‘Really? By giving the under-18s a chance to play a good pedigree side under lights in front of a big crowd?

‘We haven’t got the money to sign players from other clubs like Baffins or Portchester. We have to look elsewhere. We have to bring players through and if we can it will make our jobs easier.

‘Some people are in football to just win a trophy, but I’m not like that.

‘I’m not saying my way was the right way and I’m not saying the Baffins way was the wrong way. No-one’s right or wrong, I just did what I felt was right.

‘We have a very good youth team who’ve grown up together, who’ve reached national finals, and they deserved this chance.

‘They all walked off the pitch on Wednesday having represented my club very well.

‘My first team could lose 3-0 to Baffins, so for the under-18s to lose 3-0 …. I was over the moon.

‘They all walked off with a lot of credit.

‘We all knew it was going to be a tough game, but hopefully the youngsters will have learnt a lot - to not need an extra touch at times, to move the ball quicker, to see pictures quicker.’

Birmingham added: ‘I was impressed with Baffins – every time one of my players went down injured or with cramp, one of their players was over to see how they were. That was excellent to see and I wish them all the best.’

Horndean return to Wessex Premier action at Hamble Club tomorrow aiming for a seventh successive league win.

Injured pair Ben Anderson and Liam Bush are still around a month away from fitness and Bobby Scott is awaiting an operation on a toe. Apart from that, Deans are at full strength.

After hosting Alresford next Tuesday, Horndean have an attractive trip to fellow high-fliers Fareham on December 19.

Further ahead, they play AFC Portchester on January 2 and February 2, with a midweek trip to Lymington Town on January 26.

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