hrbfc

As a former youth team player I'd just like to say how pleasing it is to see this years lads making great strides in their development. I notice they had lost by the odd goal a few times at the start of the season, and despite the cup game their results look very respectable.

Now the lads have beaten a strong Woking team very convincingly.

Looking at the league, the H&RB team are up against some big set-ups playing against some big non league names, and I can see at least 4 academy teams in the league table. These academies train numerous times a week, and also get paid to attend college and develop on a full time basis. Whereas the Hampton lads probably have a 2 hour session once a week, practising in poor light on what can best be describes as a cabbage patch.

I think the lads are up against much tougher opposition than the days we played in a much lesser standard league, and hopefully now the reserve team is established we will start to see them progress right through to the first team.

Maybe one day Hampton can look to fully extend the youth links and rather than just affiliating numerous youth teams the club can look to forming a proper youth set-up with it's own academy.

Good luck lads... and enjoy your football.... don't give up the dream!