The squad won five trophies over the season
The Luton Town and Cedars Upper School Under-18 Development Squad have continued to improve on their previous seasons, securing five trophies in the most successful season in the history of the Programme.
Added to this there was a further Runners-Up Trophy and a National League semi-final and quarter-final from the eight competitions they entered.
The full honours are as follows:
- National League Under-19 Alliance Regional Division: Winners
- Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League Corinthian Division:Winners
- Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Brian Hitchings Cup: Winners
- Bedfordshire Schools County Cup: Winners
- South Beds District Schools Cup: Winners
- Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Divisional Play Off: Runners-Up
- National League Under 19 Alliance National Diviasional Play Offs: Semi-Finalists
- National League Under 19 Alliance League Cup: Quarter-Finals
Head Coach Stuart Smith said: "This has been an outstanding season in all respects from these lads who have taken the programme to a whole new level. The competitive game playing record of P51, W42, D3, L6. Scoring 199 goals Conceding 49 and keeping 22 clean sheets, speaks for itself. Overall of course we are delighted with the Trophy return, but Joe Deeney and I are never satisfied and won’t be until we manage a clean sweep.
"We have talked a lot about Winning and Trophies which is a vital part of player’s development at this age but equally the development in all 4 Corners: Technical/tactical, psychological, physical and social from all the players has been outstanding. Both facets are vital in the Professional Development Stage so as well as developing the lads technically we must improve them tactically. We have to ensure that they are equipped to deal with adult football where managers demand wins.
"We are delighted with the quality of the football that has been played with and without the ball. Our goals total clearly indicates the way we are asking the lads to play which is a progressive possession based game with a real attacking intent. We have also asked them to play in 4 different shapes throughout this season to enhance their learning and give them a broader knowledge of the game, this will benefit them when they progress in to the adult game where managers will play a variety of shapes, depending on the attributes of the players they have and their own philosophy.
"Going forward we are extremely pleased with the quality of next season's intake and though we will be mainly first years we have no doubts about the quality they possess. Coupled to this if the lads who will remain with us next year improve their ability to keep clean sheets, close games out and be more effective at both end of the pitch with their set plays then I am optimistic of another successful season. These techniques and skills will be vital in their progressions in to competitive adult football and the level they are capable of playing.
"Our philosophy is to develop intelligent technical and tactically aware players who play the game in the right way but at the same time understand how to manage and win a game which is ultimately what a first team manager requires. The lad’s development is in no small measure down to the excellent work of our coach Joe Deeney and physio Lynsey Northeast whose time expertise has been invaluable to the lads, who in turn have shown a great willingness to learn."