Youths - 2011 Season

[ForzaForth]

Some encouraging words from Mick Wallace in the most recent match programme to the effect that Wexford Youths "are here to stay". Hopefully, this confirms that despite his well-known financial troubles, we will have a team in the league next year.

Also confirmed in the local papers that three players, Danny Furlong, Shane Dempsey and Gareth McCurtain are to leave the club to take up soccer scholarships in Kansas City University in January. Will leave a gaping hole in our team for next year but best of luck to them anyway.

[Sunny Jim]

Yeah I was happy to read that. I had an awful feeling he might wind things up after this season what with dwindling attendances and his financial situation. Sad to see the lads go, and while I know Mick has been defending the turnover of players (I don’t know how any LOI squad could lose the amount of players we have and still be competitive) it doesn’t bode well for any promotion push when so many of the experienced heads keep leaving. Unfortunately it’s hard for people outside the club to know exactly why so many are leaving when there’s such a cult of secrecy around everything to do with the Youths.

It seems to me that while every other club is trying their best to promote themselves within their communities, our lot are happy to keep it as low-key as possible. I don’t understand it but presumably Mick has his reasons. But at least it’s nice to know we’ll have a team to support next season.

[passinginterest]

Good to hear he's not going to wind the whole thing up anyway. The continuous turnover of players must be very hard to deal with and it's a credit to them how well they've done this season. It really is odd how poorly promoted the team is within the local community, especially as one of the core principles of the Youths is to be a community club. While it must be hard for the team to keep losing players it's great to see players get opportuinities like Jimmy Keohance off to Bristol and the three lads on scholarships, I'm sure that kind of progression was very much to the fore of Wallace's thinking when he established the league of Irelnad side. It;s very likely that they would have all drifted into local junior football without the national exposure provided by the Youths.

[Bluebeard]

Glad to hear you're around for the long term. I'd heard about the troubles Wallace had encountered, but didn't realise that the club could be in jeopardy.

While it is great for the three boys to be off to Kansas on scholarships, it is tough for the club to lose so many so often. The only consolation I can offer you is that thanks to the way the club is run, you are getting some use out of them before they are shipped off - so many players in the past were off to Britain without any safety net before they could blink. Look at the Waterford born players in Britain who never pulled on a Blues jersey. I suspect that there will be very few Wexford born players in the British leagues in the future who will have eluded the Youths net if the policy remains the same. The difficulty is that it is tough to compete with that turn over.

[cornflakes]

Is there any word on new players for next season? Will they just promote u20 players or try and bring in older players?
If the premier is expanded to 16 clubs does anyone reckon we'd make the cut

[WexCar]

Seriously doubt we'd make the cut if the premier is expanded to 16 teams.
I'd prefer we didn't make the cut to be honest as we would be promotion contenders in the new 1st division if that happens and a top of the table battle would bring good experience to the young players and put a positive vibe around the club rather than languishing at the bottom of the new premier.

[ForzaForth]

Rumour that Danny F. does not plan to go to Kansas after all and will be staying next year which would be great news for us. After all, what's Kansas got that Rosslare doesn't except for a load of cowboys? Can anyone confirm?

[Youths4Ever]

had heard similar rumours than none of the 3 lads where leaving for the states until august so then could be around for the start of the season who knows what will happen to be honest 4 months of rumours here we come :)

[cornflakes]

Sheahan definitely gone to Limerick. Big loss
http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/4682/
Had some nice things to say. Wish him well

[writerbk1969]

Have the Youths a club historian or guy with good knowledge of the club origins (although I suppose that's Mick!)

[Darkglasses]

Well writerbk1969 as you know it's only 5 years ago, so most of the clubs fans have been following since the club started. Brian De Salvo and James Phelan have been writing about the club for as long as I can think of, and Denis Carty and Seanie O'Shea probably know as much as anyone about the clubs origin too.

[writerbk1969]

Have u any contacts or numbers for them Dark? Pm if u want.

[Youths4Ever]

Have the Youths a club historian or guy with good knowledge of the club origins (although I suppose that's Mick!)

hi writerbk it would depend on what information you are looking for to be honest. as Darkglasses said the Wexford Youths as LOI team have only been around 5 years and most of the more regular posters on here would be able to accurately answer the majority of your questions on the club history.

[ForzaForth]

Good news in the local papers today that four of the players who have temporarily switched to junior football during the close season - Anto Russell, Shane Dempsey, Patsy Malone and Danny Furlong - are expected to regrade before the end of the month.

Patsy is the big bonus - left halfway through last season but if he can recapture his old form he'll add a lot of stength to the squad.

[Darkglasses]

Seems Patsy is sure to sign back, great news.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford's Oscar Traynor side beat Waterford 5-4 on penalties today to get through to the next phase of the Cup. 2-2 after extra time.

[ForzaForth]

Result from today: Wexford League U-18 one, Kerry League nil.

[ForzaForth]

Pre-season match fixed for this evening (Wednesday) for the Youths aginst Tramore (Waterford) has been called off.

Mick has to go canvassing.;)

[cornflakes]

any word on other pre-season games forza?

[ForzaForth]

Cornflakes, haven't heard anything about other matches. As they are likely to be against premier sides, you'll probably get details on their websites first. I've been checking Pats and UCD as they have appeared in Wexford in previous years.

[ForzaForth]

Local papers today confirming that Mark Phelan from Southend United in Waterford has signed and that Robert Vickers has rejoined. Robert is a handy enough winger who might give us some threat out wide.

Club website also states that Tom Elmes has joined again. Tom scored our first ever home league goal in the win against Cobh in March 2007. 28 players were listed in the programme for the Cobh match and the only other player still involved is Patsy Malone!

[cornflakes]

Do you know what position Phelan is Forza?

[ForzaForth]

Cornflakes

I think Mark Phelan plays in the centre of midfield.

ForzaForth