Wickersley Youth was established in 1983 by Bob Unwin and Roger Longdin.
We would love to help create those early black and white memories, when perms were the fashion…
If you are able to help re-trace the tracks of our past please do not hesitate to contact any member of the club.
Wickersley Youth FC was formed in June 1983 playing their first match at Listerdale School in September 1983 before moving to play at St Albans School. It was initially started to provide organised football for boys in the Wickersley area. In 1983 there were no clubs in this area and very few in the Rotherham area.
The club started with one under 10 team. In the early to mid-eighties, organised junior football did not start until boys were under 10. Players could be registered with a Football League Club Centre of Excellence (now Academy) and continue playing for their junior club from under 10 to under 15. At under 16 they played Centre of Excellence football for their respective Football League Club.
The early Wickersley Youth teams were not only very successful, they were renowned for playing good football, helped by the club policy of only having qualified FA Coaches as Team Manager, the first Wickersley Youth team never finishing out of the top 3 in the Redgates League ‘A’ Division and winning the Cup for 6 consecutive years from under 11 to under 16. They also had 9 players from a squad of 14 registered and playing Centre of Excellence football for League Clubs at under 16.
The decision to play in blue and red stripes, which still continues today, was chosen as most of the players in the first squad supported Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United or Rotherham United, so these colours seemed a very good compromise.
The club could not have started and continued to prosper as it does today without the hard work, commitment, support and generosity of parents, supporters, team managers/coaches and sponsors and not forgetting the players for their enthusiasm. It is also good to see son’s and daughters of former players now representing Wickersley Youth.
Bob Unwin – Co-Founder of Wickersley Youth
Regards Bob
