Barrow are beginning to see the rewards from the creation of their newly formed B Team, with manager Pete Wild revealing he is “impressed” with the young recruits.
Wild oversaw the launch of the B Team for the start of the 2023/24 season, with all players aged 17-19 invited to register for trials with the Bluebirds.
The Cumbrian side are aiming to provide a sustainable pathway for local talent to play for their club, as successful recruits are now training alongside the first team with the platform to appear in League Two.
Since the launch, winger Sean Etaluku, formerly of the Burnley youth system, ex-Coventry City academy defender Malakai Reeve and Leeds United youth system drop-out Owen Bray have all been involved in the first team this season.
Etaluku featured on the bench in Barrow’s opening day victory over Tranmere Rovers, whilst the trio were all present in the squad that suffered defeat to League One side Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old boss explained that the Bluebirds faithful should expect more youth talent at Holker Street, due to the ability showcased throughout pre-season, and he has now challenged the youngsters to “smash down the door to the first team.”
What’s been said?
“They have really impressed me,” he told The Mail.
“The three lads who we have brought in so far are exciting, again all three different characters, all had a bit of adversity with dropping out of big clubs and we really feel that they have got a bright future with us.
“I said to all three of them after they signed that their challenge now is to smash down the door to the first team, don’t just be happy with being in the building, but drive and drive forward to get in the first team and the longer you are on the first team you get financially rewarded, and your contract becomes better, and your career starts.”
“We feel we have given all three of them a start in adult football and they have been great around the group, and everyone has seen in pre-season the impact all three of them have made so I couldn’t be more pleased with the start to this process,” the former Oldham Athletic and Halifax Town manager added.
“Hopefully, there will be a couple more that we bring in at some point but again we are going to be patient with them, and we did not know where this B team would take us and where we are at the moment we are really pleased with.”
Writer’s view
The B team has been a resounding success so far, with three of its recruits already impacting the first team picture.
Recruiting young and hungry prospects who have a point to prove can only be beneficial to Pete Wild, as they will also push the already existing members of the dressing room to new heights in training.
The scheme is also providing Barrow with a cheaper alternative to bolster the squad, while hopefully recruiting local talent that will have the passion and desire to play for their hometown club.
