With four games of the Reserve season to go, Andy Finnigan and Brian Entwistle’s men are on course for a top three finish in the Lancashire League East . The young Robins have won 9 of their 16 league games this season and have also progressed well in their respective cup competitions. Comparing their fortunes to a 2013/14 campaign that saw the side win just three of their 19 games, you can see how far the side have progressed in 12 months.

27 players have represented the Reserves this season and despite playing well for the Finnigan and co revolution at the Robins, it is elsewhere that players have truly impressed, with many returning after trials and loan spells, to make their senior debuts for Paul Phillips and Steve Halford’s side.

20 of the 27 players have gone out on loan to gain experience this season to great success. You can even make that statistic 21, if you count Brad Robinson who has featured twice for the Reserves and been out on loan at New Mills in the NPL Division One, before making 25 league appearances for the Ashton United first team.

74% of the Reserves side have ventured out to feature for sides in the North West Counties, Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One and the Bolton Boys Federation league to ply their trade and come back to Hurst Cross as better and more rounded individuals and players.

Six members of the Reserves squad have also enhanced their playing careers and made a combined 15 appearances between them for the senior side. Sam Modlinsky stepped up and gained the number one jersey over the festive period when Paul Phillips was suspended, whereas Josh Steadman scored the winning goal during a 4-3 victory at home to Belper Town on the 20th December 2014.

The most recent success story is goalkeeper Lewis Hindley, having played six times for the Reserves, he was loaned out to East Manchester. Going out to new surroundings, the 18 year old learnt to play competitively week in week out and impressed despite playing for a struggling side. Since returning to Hurst Cross, Hindley has been selected to represent Manchester FA and he believes the experience of going out on loan, combined with the high quality coaching at Ashton United has been crucial for his development.

“If you try your best, and want to be the best, you can be. This has been proven with the way I've tried to get to the top and ended up getting the call to a high standard of county football.

I think with the lads having that drive, it will help them try to get into the first team which in the next few years I hope to do myself.”

Hindley added; “I think I have improved massively since the start of the season, mainly due to the coaching both at Ashton and out on loan. The standard of coaching here at Hurst Cross is spectacular and the keeper coaches are both motivational and very determined to improve me as a keeper.”

A lot of credit has to go to Entwistle and Finnigan, as well as coach John Phelan and goalkeeping coach Neil Gillespie who have helped nurture the group of young players. Many came to the club after knock backs, and self-confidence was low; a year on though and it is a team of men not boys that enter the field of play every Sunday afternoon.

A total of 13 different teams have gratefully taken on members of our Reserves side, the backroom staff and playing squads at all of these respective clubs deserve a lot of praise for the way they have given some of Tameside’s hottest prospects a platform to flourish playing senior football.

With Ashton United under 19’s and a partnership with Oldham College on the horizon, things will only get better and it seems with the current backroom staff at the club, the conveyor belt at Hurst Cross will continue to churn out top talent for the future.

Players out on loan this season:
Aaron Morris – St. Helens Town
Daniel Vincent – Lancs FA representative team, Abbey Hey, St. Helens Town, New Mills & Eagley
Matty Johnson – Eagley
Josh Steadman – Eagley, Tottington United, Abbey Hey, Winsford United & Radcliffe Borough
Joe O’Keefe – Tottington United & Abbey Hey
Dominic Barrett – Winsford United & New Mills
Kieren Shaw – Abbey Hey & Winsford United
Rob Hiza – New Mills
Michael Crompton – Radcliffe Borough
Sam Modlinsky – Northwich Flixton Villa
Lewis Hindley – East Manchester, Tottington United & Manchester FA representative team
Dilon Ashton – Chadderton FC
Salio Sirleaf – Chadderton FC
Aaron Longley – Chadderton FC
Kevin Eriyo – Tottington United
Jack Berry – Eagley
Malick Thiaw – Chadderton FC
Matty Smith – Eagley & Pilkington Town
Andy Presho – Pilkington Town
Michael Leach – Pilkington Town

Vice Chairman Steve Hobson said, 'We have a proven track record of nurturing young talent and our management team will give young players the opportunity to shine. Those members of our reserve squad who have worked hard have benefitted from the opportunities we have given them to go out on loan to other local clubs consistent with their abilities. As they improve so they rise up the playing standard with the better players making their debuts in the first team.

Our new partnership with Oldham College will be an exciting opportunity for players wanting to make their mark in football. Why not reach for the stars?'