An update from our new Dunbar United U20's Manager Stuart Allan
I’m immensely proud and excited to be named as Dunbar United U20’s manager. It’s been well documented that the current relationship between Dunbar United and Dunbar United Colts, is the best it has been in years.
I’m delighted to say, we are ready for the start of pre-season training in the next couple of weeks. We aim to have the majority of our squad signed, ready for the start of pre-season by Thursday.
The majority of the squad are moving up from DUCFC U17’s, however we are also lucky enough to be gaining some real quality from the DUCFC U18’s for the new season. Our players range from 15 years old at the time of signing, to already being 18 years old.
Personally, I have been coaching at DUCFC for nearly 8 years. I have been coaching the majority of these players since they were 12/13 years old, so over four years now. We have an exciting squad, with some real quality which I’m sure you’ll really enjoy watching on a Friday night.
Both the 17’s and 18’s are tightly knit groups, naturally playing for their community club, they work incredibly hard for each other and their coaches. I have no doubt they will continue to do so next season and love playing their football with your backing.
We are under no illusions, next season will be a real challenge. We will be playing against some of the best players in their local area as we strive to be as competitive as we can, every week. It’s important to remember, much of our squad have two, if not three full seasons at under 20’s ahead of them.
But we have already seen promising signs with Adam Collin, Daniel Hall, Declan Hannan & Ruairidh Munro all making their first team debuts last season. This wasn’t by chance, with these lads training weekly since March, which Kevin Haynes has really encouraged.
I’m grateful to both the DUFC Board and Management team, as they have all been top class. Both are full of enthusiasm and supportive about this new project, but importantly, they are in it for the right reasons. I’m sure everyone cannot wait to see how far the club’s under 20’s can develop with time.
Much of this is going to be a new experience for my squad. It’s one they are hugely excited for. It would really mean everything to these young lads and myself, if the local community could get behind us, as you always manage to do.
I cannot wait to see the young Seasiders in action on a Friday night.
All the best
Stuart Allan
DUFC