Boro look forward after folding reserves

The reserves team, which was formed in 2008 to play in the Humber Premier, have withdrawn from the league and ceased to exist, the club citing a lack of players as the main reason.

Boro’s board of directors are now focusing on other options to carry players from the junior set-up towards Rudy Funk’s first team.

Director Nick Finch said: “Since Gary Simm’s departure as manager we have struggled to fulfil our fixtures.

“Over the years we have struggled to recruit local players into the reserves and it became apparent that it wasn’t working.

“We are looking at alternatives now for the progression of players from our under-19s. Maybe an under-21 or 23 league could be an option.

“We have seen some success from the reserves. Rory Skelton came in and played superbly for the first team the other night against Brigg Town and other lads have gone on to play in the NCEL.

“There was a gulf between the Humber Premier and the Evo-Stik League. It is difficult to find a league up to the standard that would allow our players to progress into the first team.

“Our manager Rudy Funk came under fire for not playing players from the team, but he has communicated with all the managers from the juniors through to the reserves.

“Rudy’s finger is on the pulse and he is committed to the juniors.”

Finch added: “We now have a flourishing community set-up that we can be proud of and we will continue to push on with that.

“As directors there would be nothing that would make us prouder than if one of our juniors broke through to play for the first team.

“If you look at the results and look at how talented those lads are then it is just a matter of time.”