North are fitting winners of Youth One title

NORTH will be our representatives in the first football inter-insular to be played at the new Foote's Lane complex. They will line up on Saturday 3 May after triumphing in one of the most exciting finishes to a Norman Piette Youth One League in recent years.

They deserved their victory against St Martin's on Monday evening and are on course to be the first Guernsey side to win the Portsmouth Trophy since the Vale Rec in 1998.

In a season of mixed fortunes for the island's club and island sides, my round-up of the season starts with our representative sides.

After winning on home soil last year, the Junior Muratti squad had all the right credentials to achieve great things over the past 12 months. Unfortunately, they have under-achieved and did not fulfil their huge potential.

Good players do not suddenly become bad overnight, but as a team Guernsey did not reach the heights everyone anticipated.

Although they played well against Jersey, Guernsey did start as favourites and everyone was expecting a green-and-white win.

It has indeed been a disappointing season up to now against our Jersey friends who have captured the Star Trophy at under-15 level and regained the John Leatt Trophy, the under-16 Upton. All our hopes now rest with the Portsmouth Trophy (under-18 Upton).

My overall picture of youth football this season is that it has been hugely enjoyable and I am not the first to say it, but more people have ventured out to watch our youngsters play in the past 12 months.

The Corbet Cup final drew a big crowd which only inspires these youngsters to play to their potential. It would be fantastic to attract these attendances to every game.

The under-11 Muratti was a classic with our lads coming from behind to win against a good Jersey side, and Rangers did extremely well to take the Norman Piette Youth Two title with an unbeaten 12-game run.

At Northfield, the Normandie Cup was won by the home side with a convincing victory over Rangers.

The Old Vic final for under-18s takes place this Saturday between St Martin's and Belgraves at Port Soif, with a 2pm kick-off, and it promises to be a tight match.

I have seen a lot of talented young footballers this season and could name many who will go on to be good seniors.

One or two have really caught my eye, so I have picked players of different ages to form a good side.

Some of the obvious candidates are missing but in my opinion these lads have played well consistently: Tom Le Tissier (Rangers), Emile Thompson (Vale Rec), T. Strawbridge (Sylvans), Sam Stables (North), Charles Pinsard (Bels), Sam Norris (Vale Rec), Nick Coleman (Rovers), Ross Breton (St Martin's), John Loaring (North), Kris Moherndl (Sylvans), Adam Cox (St Martin's). Subs: Anthony O'Regan (North), Luke Vidamour (Rangers), M. Ramsden (Vale Rec).

My player of the year is Jason Boscher. This North youngster is my type of player, who hardly gives the ball away and has a great first touch.

My coach of the year, which might surprise some, is Ian Champion from Rovers, but I for one know how hard he works for those youngsters down at Port Soif.

Although they do not get many glory days at youth level, they are shaping into one of the best clubs for attracting youngsters to their ever-increasing mini sections on Saturday mornings, which bodes well for the future of this coastal outfit.

The transfer rumour-mill will start shortly as to who will be changing clubs in the summer months but my advice to anyone wanting to move is either stay with the club that has looked after you since you were very young or go to one that perhaps needs you to enhance their chances of competing with the best clubs next season.

My referee-of-the-year award goes to George Jennings who treats youngsters with respect and is the ideal person to take charge of this weekend's Old Vic final, where another close but passionate affair between Belgraves and St Martin's will take place.

I am sure George will be a calming influence.

The one sad note from this season was the untimely death of Martyn Le Prevost last November. He is so greatly missed by everyone who knew him and he was a good friend to so many youngsters at club and island level.

It was so fitting that the North Youth One team should win the championship with his brother, Alan, in charge; he wanted to win it so much in Martyn's memory.