LATEST NEWS FROM WJFC
Racing Club Warwick is looking forward to fielding more home-grown players following the club's link-up with Warwick Juniors.
A result of 12 months negotiations, the link-up looks certain to safeguard the future of Racing Club, who have been beset by difficulties both on and off the field over the last 12 months.
The partnership also marks the next stage of a remarkable rise by Warwick Juniors, who were formed by Dean Brandrick as Woodloes Juniors nine years ago.
"It is fantastic news for Racing Club Warwick," said Cranton.
"It means that with the full support of Warwick Town Council and Warwick District Council the future is looking really bright."
"Something we need is to see young kids coming through into the senior side and this gives them something to aspire to."
Warwick Juniors, who changed their name from Woodloes in 2009, boast 15 teams playing in three leagues on Saturdays and Sundays in the Mid-Warwickshire League, Coventry Minor League and Central Warwickshire Girls' League.
They attained The FA's Charter Standard club status in 2005 and are also in the process of becoming a Development Club.
"By linking with Racing Club Warwick, we hope that both clubs can go on and achieve their dreams of becoming Community clubs and offer children, young people and families in the Warwick area a sports and community venture they can be proud of," said Brandrick, who is now president and secretary of the Juniors.
As part of the link-up, Racing Club will be entering an under-13s team into the Midland Junior Premier League next season in conjunction with Warwick Juniors.
The team will be run like a community team with managers from Sunday League sides putting forward the names of players they feel could play at the next level of junior football.
The players will still be signed for their original club and Warwick Juniors and Racing Club will guarantee that the player will not be asked to play for them at their own club level, only at Premier League level.
"It will be run like the old Mid-Warwickshire League team the area had in the early years," said Brandrick.
"Both clubs feel that in time this will produce players to support the senior teams. A way of working towards this is for both clubs to work on the youth to men's football progression so we can get more of the area's talented players playing for the first team."
Despite Racing Club continuing to struggle on the field - they were beaten 9-1 by Castle Vale on Saturday - football club vice-chairman Phil Haycock believes that the partnership with Warwick Juniors will be a successful one.
"We are delighted that Warwick Juniors FC has agreed to a link with our club," said Haycock.
"Every club needs to have roots in the local community - something that we feel has been lost at Racing Club over the last few years. Working with Warwick Juniors FC provides a fantastic opportunity to re-establish those roots and can only be good for football in Warwick and the surrounding areas.
"Both clubs know each other well and at Racing Club, we are fully aware of the giant strides that Warwick Juniors FC has taken since their formation in 2001. This is a fantastic achievement and a great inspiration to us as it shows what can be achieved through dedication and hard work."
Further initiatives to unite the two clubs will see the younger teams from Warwick Juniors walk out with the senior team and act as ball boys on match days.
Qualified coaches will also provide free 20-minute training sessions for Juniors players who bring their boots and shin pads to Racing Club home games.
