U18/U21 Development Thread (5 Viewers)

[wingy]

Are you thinking of Rylie Siddall who went to America?

Shepherd signed a pro contract with us last season so why would we let him go so soon after?

Genuinely thought I'd read it,, maybe not,all the better.

 

[CovRes]

Interesting that George shepherd is still featuring didn't we let him go recently or he left anyway, this is the lad who's dad played cov rugby .

Do you mean Jack James? He was another one where we had to fight off Chelsea or Man City, but he wasn't on the retained list in the summer. Although I think he did feature on a preseason match.

 

[larry_david]

Do you mean Jack James? He was another one where we had to fight off Chelsea or Man City, but he wasn't on the retained list in the summer. Although I think he did feature on a preseason match.

Weird one as he's signed for Coventry United now.

 

[CovRes]

Weird one as he's signed for Coventry United now.

That is weird. Let's hope for his sake he can make something of a career from this point.

 

[CovRes]

With the lack of information given out by the club regarding the U18s/U21s it's remarkable that the Guardian managed to get a name for an up and coming player, let alone a photo.

Next Generation 2026: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs

We pick the best youngsters at each club born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010

www.theguardian.com

 

[Winny the Bish]

The U18s have lost their last 4 games in a row. Defeats to Sheff Wed, Sheff Utd, Wigan and QPR.

Maybe the club never post about the team because they're embarrassed at how bad they are.

 

[glasgowfan]

The U18s have lost their last 4 games in a row. Defeats to Sheff Wed, Sheff Utd, Wigan and QPR.

Maybe the club never post about the team because they're embarrassed at how bad they are.

On the other hand,the U21s have won 3 of the last 4 games (and drew the other) and just beat QPR away 5-1

QPR U21 - Coventry U21 1-5

ENGLAND: Professional Development League

www.flashscore.co.uk

edit.... I don't know what the line-up was, so of course there may have been a few first-teamers getting some game time

 

[Kneeza]

On the other hand,the U21s have won 3 of the last 4 games (and drew the other) and just beat QPR away 5-1

QPR U21 - Coventry U21 1-5

ENGLAND: Professional Development League

www.flashscore.co.uk

edit.... I don't know what the line-up was, so of course there may have been a few first-teamers getting some game time

It was a genuine u21 lineup.
George Shepherd got three of them.

 

[Potbellypig]

Weird one as he's signed for Coventry United now.

Always looked small, possibly not grown enough to match the physical demands.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

The U18s have lost their last 4 games in a row. Defeats to Sheff Wed, Sheff Utd, Wigan and QPR.

Maybe the club never post about the team because they're embarrassed at how bad they are.

Queens Park Rangers 5-3 Coventry City (2026-27 Under-18 League 2) - YouthHawk

youthhawk.co.uk

Only teamsheet I've found for this season.

Pretty much the whole team are first years or schoolboys. So they're 15/16 y/o potentially playing against 18 y/o.

I think it's been part of the academy thinking to have players 'playing up' the last few years (1st year scholars playing in the U18's and 2nd years playing in the U21) and I think that might be part of the reason for poor results. I guess the thinking is to really test them to see how they handle the adversity and if they develop.

Whether it's a successful policy is hard to say. We've had very few academy players come through in recent years, but of course the standard required has risen sharply in that time. And of course a few of the better prospects have been nabbed by bigger teams/Cat1 academies.

 

[larry_david]

It was a genuine u21 lineup.
George Shepherd got three of them.

Interesting here is Bell back in goal. Been injured since pre season. And on the bench di trolio who's been out for 16 months!

 

[CovRes]

It was a genuine u21 lineup.
George Shepherd got three of them.

Sofascore has Shepherd as scoring 4 of the goals. Josh Stidder getting the other.

 

[Kneeza]

Sofascore has Shepherd as scoring 4 of the goals. Josh Stidder getting the other.

His dad told me he scored three, so what do I know?

 

[Kneeza]

Stidder got the fourth and fifth goals, apparently.

 

[Hobo]

Queens Park Rangers 5-3 Coventry City (2026-27 Under-18 League 2) - YouthHawk

youthhawk.co.uk

Only teamsheet I've found for this season.

Pretty much the whole team are first years or schoolboys. So they're 15/16 y/o potentially playing against 18 y/o.

I think it's been part of the academy thinking to have players 'playing up' the last few years (1st year scholars playing in the U18's and 2nd years playing in the U21) and I think that might be part of the reason for poor results. I guess the thinking is to really test them to see how they handle the adversity and if they develop.

Whether it's a successful policy is hard to say. We've had very few academy players come through in recent years, but of course the standard required has risen sharply in that time. And of course a few of the better prospects have been nabbed by bigger teams/Cat1 academies.

A general rule of thumb with youth football and academies, is if you aren’t a year ahead of your age group you are behind. 21s go out on loan back filled by under 18s who are back filled by younger players.

 

[larry_david]

We won last night, think it's 4 in a row and top. Kelly as manager. Love it

Bidwell played

 

[Wiseoldfool]

We won last night, think it's 4 in a row and top. Kelly as manager. Love it

Bidwell played

 

[CovRes]

We won last night, think it's 4 in a row and top. Kelly as manager. Love it

Bidwell played

Goals from
Billy-Ray Cullinane 82'
Kah'Vanni Lincoln 87', according to SofaScore. Although they were apparently wrong about the scorers in the previous game, so .

 

[Samo]

Could I please ask you all to email the club re the 18 and 21 team pages. The pages are over 2 years old and I think it's disrespectful to our young players. If they can't be arsed to populate those pages properly, close them altogether.

 

[larry_david]

Could I please ask you all to email the club re the 18 and 21 team pages. The pages are over 2 years old and I think it's disrespectful to our young players. If they can't be arsed to populate those pages properly, close them altogether.

Club fail to remember when are in the biggest and most viewed league in the world. Having an update to date, quality Web page and socials are important.

Or not, it seems!

 

[larry_david]

Hamer starts today, as does Bidwell

 

[glasgowfan]

Hamer starts today, as does Bidwell

HT : CovU21 1-0 Swansea U21

 

[long way home]

Won 2-0 seem in good form, not sure of team Betjemin got the 1st

 

[Otis]

Anyone know anyone on the youth recruitment?

We have a cracking player here in Folkestone that a lot of big clubs are looking at right now

Just had a trial at Ipswich and other Premier clubs are interested

He just scored tonight for Folkestone Invicta, with a bit of a wonder goal

He's just 16.

 

[Wiseoldfool]

Anyone know anyone on the youth recruitment?

We have a cracking player here in Folkestone that a lot of big clubs are looking at right now

Just had a trial at Ipswich and other Premier clubs are interested

He just scored tonight for Folkestone Invicta, with a bit of a wonder goal

He's just 16.

View attachment 55479

If you aresruggling to get in touch with anyone how try ringing David Buust

 

[CovRes]

Won 2-0 seem in good form, not sure of team Betjemin got the 1st

Stidder is listed as scoring the got the 2nd.

 

[CovRes]

Those crazy lunatics at www.ccfc.co.uk have only gone and published a match report.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2026/october/21/under-21s--coventry-city-2-0-swansea-city-/

What next? Updated U18 and U21 team info?

 

[larry_david]

Those crazy lunatics at www.ccfc.co.uk have only gone and published a match report.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2026/october/21/under-21s--coventry-city-2-0-swansea-city-/

What next? Updated U18 and U21 team info?

It says there that Bidwell praised Batanwi and Di Trolio....but the quote isn't anywhere.

 

[Winny the Bish]

Henley Grant called up to England U15 training camp again.

Assume he'll be poached in the next year or two.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

City U21s on Cardiff City TV tonight. 7pm ko

Edit: bobbed up on my facebook - can't (yet) see a link on their website

 

[larry_david]

Few of the regs missing

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Losing 2-1 at HT

 

[Flying Fokker]

Finished 2-2. Shepherd x 2

 

[Ellery Cairo's Wig]

Finished 2-2 equaliser from George Shepherd. Nice back heel finish