Clitheroe Youth boss Thomas Bartlett has every confidence that his exuberant Blues side can replicate the joyous successes of last season, with his team gearing up to face Clifton FC this evening in their first competitive fixture since late April.

A number of the Youth squad have departed over the summer months due to age restrictions and a new fresh and talented crop of players have fitted in seamlessly to fill the void left by Ryan Cattermole, Tom Jackson and co.

Bartlett has had to work against the clock to reinforce not only his playing squad but also his backroom staff and with things finally fitting into place, the whole fabric of the club is now seemingly in place for another big campaign, after over 30 trialist players applied to play for the team in 2015-16.

“The trials were a success, 32 players turned up and they all did really well. It was great to see so many new faces aswell as the few regulars from last season, including Charlie Lloyd who I have made captain for the 2015-16 season.”

The Youth boss added; “With Shawbridge undergoing some work at the time of the trials, we had them at Highmoor which is still a great venue and huge thanks needs to go to Ross Hibbert and Clitheroe Wolves for allowing us to use it.

“Despite there not being as many trialist this year, the quality was still high and there was not a lot of difference between most the players so picking the squad this term has proved a lot more difficult.”

After Bartlett’s right hand man and assistant-manager Mark Wilson left to occupy the dug-out at Rimington FC, long term friend Jamie Enefer was appointed to fill the position and alongside the teenage duo of William Nolan and James Barnes, the side’s coaching set-up is now packed with a plethora of knowledge and experience, that will hopefully help the side in the months to come.

“It was good to team up with Jamie for the first time and I was impressed with the way he approached it. I'm sure we will work together well this season and hopefully we can get the best out the lads.”

Bartlett continued by saying; “Will Nolan and James Barnes were a massive part of last season’s Youth team and it’s great to have them back on board. They are two great lads with a huge appetite for the game and they will have learnt from last season, at the same time being more confident and more involved than the previous campaign.”

The Blues have been drawn against Wigan based outfit Ashton Athletic in the FA Youth Cup, with the winner gaining the opportunity to play either Skelmersdale United or Marine Youth in the first round proper of the country’s oldest and most famous cup competition.

Clitheroe Youth will be looking to build on a 3rd placed league finish and a cup win last season, with the opportunity to do the treble over the next year. Bartlett however is staying grounded and finished by saying that the progression is positive for the new 2015-16 campaign.

“With the FA Youth Cup draw, finalising the squad and our first friendly this evening against a very strong Clifton FC, the excitement for the new season is growing all the time.

“I’ve had a good holiday and now the buzz is back and I'm really excited to get started. We have no targets as yet as they will come as pre-season progresses but I'm sure with my management team and the lads we have, I'm sure 2015-16 will be a successful one.”