NOTTINGHAM CITY FC HISTORY
The Club was founded in April 2009, The Founder wanted to provide an alternative youth football club to those already established in Nottingham at the time. The aim was to give youngsters, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to play at a higher level than was currently available or accessible to them in Nottingham, in order to facilitate this the founder formed a committee and adopted a Constitution in June2009.
At the end of the 08/09 season, we spoke to the players who played for Nottingham City Schools U15's (City boy's), as well as other players playing in the local leagues, it was evident that they wanted the opportunity to continue to play at a higher level. There are also plenty of other young talented footballers who play in the local leagues who would like the chance to play at a higher level and which offer a better and more competitive standard of football.
After some research on appropriate leagues to join, the Committee decided to enter an U16 team to play in the Midland Junior Premier Football League (MJPFL) as a way of offering young players an alternative opportunity to develop their skills and showcase them at a higher level, games were played on Saturday mornings. After visiting the website of the MJPFL and speaking with its Chairman and learning that the League was one of the best youth (development) league in the country outside of the professional ranks and that it was also recognised by the national FA as developmental league, we decided that we would enter a team in the U16 section of the League.
Apart from players signed to professional clubs there was no opportunity for players at U16 age group from Nottingham to play at a higher level than was available at the time; City schools (City Boys) did not compete at U16 level, so we filled the gap.
The Club wanted to give the chance to all young people to realise their dreams regardless of their backgrounds and therefore players from the inner city was actively sought to join the team. Furthermore, the Club was aware that not everyone can afford to 'pay-to-play' and therefore would miss the opportunity to play at such a high level, that is why he did not charge players to play during the Club's 1st season - 09/10.
Before the Club went ahead and entered a team in such a league we had to consider the financial commitments. The financial implications to any club was huge, but for new club it was even greater, so Tony approached his employers for financial help. His employers agreed to provide some help and assistance but the bulk of the funding came from the Committee members. The total cost of running the Club and playing in the MJPFL in the first season was £7,500.
Nottingham City Football Club (NCFC) is the name given to the U16 team on entering the league in the 09/10 season, our mascot is a Lion and we are known as the 'Lions'. It was a good experience for the players and gave them a chance to be scouted, we played teams such as Hinckley Utd, Sulihull Moors, Shirley Town etc.
At the same time as entering a team in the MJPL, The Committee decided to enter a team in the Nottingham Youth League (NYL) as a feeder team to the MJPL and to give less talented players an opportunity to develop; we were entered in Division 1 and finished 7th (played all season without a goalkeeper in the NYL).
At the end of the 09/10 season we had 5 players invited to trials by Burton Albion FC and 3 players was subsequently offered 2 year scholarships, they were Grant Vann (goalkeeper), Jahred Russell (center mid) and Jevin Seaton (winger / striker). Ashleigh Reid (striker)also attended the trials and scored 4 goals in two trial games but was overlooked by the club!!
THIS WAS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE CLUB AND WE ACHIEVED OUR OBJECTIVE