Football Focus FF84 Web | Page 51

Winchester City “The Reserve Team are riding high in their respective division. The Under 18s are second in the league, whilst the Under 16s are in line for their respective title too having already won the Hampshire Cup this month and they are also in another cup final. “It has been an incredible season and as it reaches the ‘business end’, the club have just broken into the play-off places in the league and certainly plan to stay there. The plans for the remainder of the season are to be as competitive as possible on the pitch and to finish as high in the table as we can. The same applies for the Reserves and also the Under 18s and Under 16s. Off the pitch, the plans are to build a financially firm backing for the 2019-20 season. “Youth football is vital for the football club. Our Club Chairman has a plan for the club which is heavily reliant on youth development. The Chairman was previously Head of Youth and that is his ambition for the club. Several youngsters have been involved with the first-team already this season and they are regularly involved in the Reserve team set-up. “Our youngsters play regularly in the Reserve team as well as for their respective age group. This gives them experience of playing competitive men’s football as well as being successful within their age category. These same youngsters have also been regularly used on the bench for the first team, as well as appearing in Cup competitions and first-team friendlies. “Our club is a community club. We are based in the heart of Abbots Barton, a small community within Winchester. We are a committee-ran football club and our committee is made up of supporters. The committee also has members of the youth set-up and ladies set-up involved to integrate all of the clubs together. “In the coming years, a big challenge is likely to be the financial climate that the country is engulfed in. As the club is “I was speaking with Matt down at the rugby facilities and didn’t realise football was based elsewhere. When I was offered the chance to be involved I grabbed it with both hands. Every- one you speak to in the city is full of praise for the great achievements the club are carrying out. Keep up the great work and commitment; you are doing an excellent job.” Shamus Farooq, Wintax self-funded, it is reliant on sponsorship and fundraising and therefore the finances of the country are unfortunately mirrored with the finances of the football club. “Within the next five years, the club aims to gain promotion to the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division, the league above. The club also aims to carry out work around the ground and in the clubhouse. There are also ambitions to integrate our youth teams into our first- team and to ensure the football club is in a stable financial position.” WINCHESTER’S MOST TRUSTED AND RELIABLE PRIVATE HIRE & TAXI COMPANY • EXECUTIVE CARS • 4-8 SEATERS AVAILABLE • AIRPORT & SEAPORT TRANSFERS • OPEN AN ACCOUNT • SECURED DELIVERIES • SCHOOL CONTRACTS • WEDDINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS • STUDENT SERVICES Call us today on 01962878727 www.wintaxcars.com www.footballfocusmag.com 51