Academy update

Cliftonville’s Head of Academy, Marc Smyth, was delighted to this weekend confirm that all players signed to the Club’s underage sides will be kept on for the 2020/21 season.

To allay concerns that any of our young stars might have about their own futures during football’s current lockdown, the Academy will not be holding open trials this year and have assured everyone on their books that there will be a place for them at Solitude.

“There is always that worry among kids, especially the older ones, that they might not be back next season,” explains Smyth, who has penned a confirmatory letter to parents and guardians.

“I just thought it wouldn’t be morally right of us to replace the kids we have here at the minute. We felt it would nice to reassure them that when we come back – whenever that is – we’ll start where we left off.

“When I mentioned it to the coaches, they were all on board immediately. Nobody knows what is going to happen over the next few months so, whatever happens, these players and families know we’ll be here for them.

“Parents stood by us through a lot of thing and the Club will always be there for them.”