PAUL FOOT: Youth of today need to learn the hard way

As well as putting our efforts into the first team, we have helped to introduce the under-21s, which will help the youngsters progress into Evo-Stik North football.

This has given these youngsters a clearer path through to the first team and we have already shown that it works, having played the likes of Jamie Stewart and others last season.

Frustratingly last weekend when we wanted a few of the under-21s to come to Kendal for the FA Trophy game, the ones we asked showed a huge lack of commitment.

This would have been a great opportunity to gain some first-team experience and have a bit of time on the pitch at this level of football.

Maybe they think that they can just walk into the first team when they want or maybe they just want to stay at home and play with their mates.

One thing they have to realise is that it isn’t an easy journey. You have to work and do things like travelling to Kendal and going out on loan to places like Pickering, Hull United and Selby.

We have contacts at those clubs and we know that spending time there will make them better players.

When I was younger I went on loan to a number of teams just to introduce me to the game.

When I was injured or lacking fitness I would have spells at teams like Bottesford and Barton Town because it was hugely beneficial for me.

It is all about the desire to play the game and it seems a lot of today’s youth just don’t want football enough.

Tommy Cooney is another example of this, having played just two games for the club since arriving from Brentford’s academy.

He could have been a success with us, but as soon as he wasn’t in the team he decided to leave

These young lads just want it immediately, they don’t realise they have to work hard over a period of time to get where they want to be.