Lincoln City FC Youth Development Board
Following discussions over a period of months about how best to ensure that youth development continues to blossom here at Lincoln City Football Club. The Board of Directors decided to set up a Youth Board. The Youth Board will be separate from but will report to the main Board and it is intended to provide added support, impetus and drive to our well-regarded youth set up.
Chaired by Club Director Chris Travers, the Youth Development Board intends to underpin the existing finance as well as allow the youth department, which costs in excess of £100k to run, net of grant aid received, to expand it's activities. It's objectives will also include additional and specific coaching, improved transport to away games and more professional facilities for home fixtures. In addition to Mr Travers, the Club Board are also represented by Stuart Tindall whilst Head of Youth Tom Spall, Centre of Excellence manager Doug Robinson and youth coach Grant Brown are joined by YDA representatives Ian Green and Jack McGuigan, with Trisha Dixon providing administrative services. Roger Bates (LCST Gold Member), Mike Baldry (Crystal Motor Group), Steve Gelder (The Gelder Group) and Charles Jennison (LCFC vice-president) are the new board members who have been recruited in order to bring additional business expertise and finance to the department.
Properly funded and staffed since 1998, the stability of our Centre of Excellence has seen the programme produce a number of youngsters who have made the step up to first team football. In fact, 10 products of the youth department played League football for the Imps last season, making us the envy of many Football League sides. The Centre of Excellence operates for 9-16 year olds and is followed by a two-year Scolarship scheme, which exceeds educational targets set by Football League.