Jeanfield Swifts Under-20s are ready to kick on in the new year after piecing together a promising season so far.
The young Perth side is flying high in the Scottish Lowlands Development League Conference B and sit in third spot, only behind Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale and Blackburn United.
Performances have continually shown signs of improvement and there is great optimism for more success to follow in the coming months.
Head coach Shaun Park told the PA: “The season so far has been a success on and off the field.
“Away from the pitch, the professional approach from the club, players and coaches has been great.
“We are always looking at ways to improve with equipment and use of technology and different ways of training and working.
“The 20s group is always progressing behind the scenes in these ways.
“On the pitch it’s been great to see the team play with confidence and free-flowing football.
“And also having lads make the step up, not only to the first team but 2006 players jumping into the 20s.”
Park added: “The goal at development football is always to help prepare and improve the players for the next stage of football, whether that is first team at Jeanfield or elsewhere or even at a higher level.
“I feel we are in a very strong space at the moment moving into the new year in the sense all our players are ready for the next step they might take.
“The goal on the pitch is to be competitive and win in a certain way and we are on track to keep doing so. We’re sitting third and scoring a high number of goals.”
A number of players from the U20 side have moved up to play for the senior team in the East of Scotland League.
“It’s fantastic to see these lads play up and never look out of place,” Park said. “It’s our key objective every year and reassures you the work we put in is worth it. I always feel great pride in seeing them involved.
“There is huge motivation now for the players yet to step up. It’s a great pathway to the first team that works and the players know if they perform the opportunity is there.
“There are five players I believe will step up to the first team and can play at a very high level. Behind those five I strongly feel there are another two or three who, if they keep the work up, will be next.”
