Could Your Child Be the Next Messi or Chloe Kelly? Redgate Rovers Recruiting Young Players, Coaches and Helpers for 2026/27

⚽ Could Your Child Be the Next Messi or Chloe Kelly? Redgate Rovers Recruiting for 2026/27 Development Squad ⚽

Redgate Rovers Junior Football Club is once again looking for the next generation of young footballers and is now recruiting for its Under-5 Development Squad for the 2026/27 season.

The club is inviting boys and girls who will be starting Reception Year in September 2026 to register their interest in joining what has become a fantastic introduction to football for many local children.

Training sessions will take place at Redgate Primary School in Formby, starting in September, and will run every Saturday morning from 9am to 10am. The one-hour sessions are designed to be fun, engaging and age-appropriate, focusing on football-based games and small-sided matches that help develop the fundamental skills needed to begin a footballing journey.

The Development Squad runs for two seasons, after which players will be placed into teams and progress into competitive football within the local Craven Minor League.

Redgate Rovers has seen tremendous success with its youth development programme over the years, helping countless local children take their first steps into the game. More recently, the club established a standalone girls’ team which began at Reception age and is now preparing for its first season in competitive league football.

The club is extremely passionate about supporting and developing girls’ football and is keen to continue growing Redgate Ladies teams both now and in the future as the women’s game continues to go from strength to strength. If sufficient numbers of girls register, the club hopes to create a separate girls-only development squad.

All coaching is delivered by FA Licensed Coaches who are DBS checked and fully trained in First Aid and Safeguarding, ensuring children learn in a safe, supportive and enjoyable environment.

Due to the popularity of the programme and the fantastic uptake seen in recent years, places on the Development Squad will be capped to keep sessions manageable while new parent coaches are identified and trained. A reserve list will also be created should demand exceed available places.

Subject to numbers, the club is also hoping to run one or two taster sessions towards the end of July or during August. These may take place on a Saturday, Sunday or during the school holidays and will give both children and parents the opportunity to experience how the sessions are delivered before committing to the programme.

Parents wishing to register their son or daughter for the 2026/27 Development Squad should email Head of Mini Soccer, Gary Williams, at:

📧 garyefcwilliams@gmail.com

Please include:

• Child’s name

• Date of birth

• Parent or guardian’s name

• Contact telephone number

The club is also keen to hear from any parents who would like to become involved as a coach or helper. Full FA training, guidance and support will be provided, so no previous coaching experience is necessary. Anyone interested should indicate this when making contact.

If you have any questions, Gary is happy to help via email.

Redgate Rovers continues to play a vital role in developing grassroots football in Formby, providing young players with the opportunity to build confidence, make friends, learn new skills and, most importantly, have fun.

⚽ The journey starts here. Could your child be the next football star to come through the Redgate Rovers ranks?

**Photos supplied by Redgate Rovers JFC.