The Luton Town and Cedars Upper School Under-18 development squad finished the season with an excellent three winners trophies to their name.
Added to this, they reached the quarter final stages of the National League under-19 Alliance National Champion of Champions play-off and the last 16 of the English School FAs National Elite Schools Cup.
The Full Role of honour reads as follows:
National League U19 Alliance Regional Division: Winners
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League Corinthian Division: Winners
Bedfordshire Schools County Cup: Winners
National League U19 Alliance National Champion of Champions play-offs: Quarter Finalists
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Brian Hitchings Cup: Quarter Finalists
ESFA National School U18 Elite Cup: Last 16
Head Coach Stuart Smith said: "This has been an outstanding season in all respects from these lads and achieving the treble was beyond initial expectations. Although we have had more successful seasons in terms of the number of trophies won, I would say this is our best ever season. Both the National League U19 Alliance Regional Division and the Southern Counties Corinthian Division were the strongest I have known them to be and were very difficult competitions to win.
"The competitive game playing record of P51, W39, D5, L7, scoring 159 goals, conceding 40 and keeping 25 clean sheets, speaks for itself. Added to this we only conceded seven goals in the entire 22 game National League season, everybody concerned can be rightfully proud. Overall, of course we are delighted with the trophy return, but Joe Deeney and I will never be totally satisfied until we manage a clean sweep."
Stuart added: "I have talked a lot about winning and trophies which is a vital part of players' development at this age but equally the development in all four 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 have been 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 five 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 the recruitment process to form next season’s squad is now underway. Academically participants will need to have reached the Sixth Form 5 GCSE passes at the 9 - 5 entry level requirements to be able to participate in the necessary 3 A-Levels taken in Football Development Programme. The 3 chosen A-level subjects must have GCSE passes at absolute Minimum 5 (subject dependent). If you are unable to undertake 3 A-levels you will not be accepted. Final grades are not a guarantee of acceptance; because of the additional pressures we may require students to have higher than 9–5 Grades. Cedars Upper School will ultimately have the discretion whether to accept or decline any individual application. To apply to be part of the Luton Town Cedars success story email stuartsmith.ltfc@hotmail.co.uk
"So far we are extremely pleased with the quality of next seasons 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 continue to develop in the way they have so far 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 lads' development is in no small measure down to the excellent work of our Coach Joe Deeney and Physio Laura Clint whose time and expertise has been invaluable to the lads, who in turn have shown a great willingness to learn."