After a long wait, the Blues’ new-look Under-21 side are poised to kick off following the release of their fixtures in the Lancashire Galaxy Football League.

Clitheroe will be playing in the league for the first time, following its merger with the Lancashire U21’s League, and will play 22 games.

There is a local feel to the league with fixtures against local sides such as Clitheroe Wolves, Ribchester Rovers, Blackburn Eagles and Fulwood Amateurs, while teams from semi-professional clubs include AFC Darwen, Bacup Borough, Bamber Bridge, Barnoldswick Town, and Ramsbottom United.

AFC Fylde will represent the National League and the newest members of the Football League, AFC Barrow, will also have a team represent them.

Under 21s manager, Michael Worthington, said: “It’s great to finally get a start date. Pre-season has been long but now we have a date to aim at with our preparations. The Lancashire Galaxy league has a rich history and it is great to be involved with such a prestigious league.”

The Under 21s have had a busy pre-season with six players (Max Cane, Jack Burrows, Liam Clegg, Sean Ince, Joe Pennington and Kai Lawless) recently signing first-team forms and being involved with numerous games during pre-season for the Blues’ senior set-up.

“I couldn’t be happier for them,” Worthington said. “This is what the club is about, giving opportunities to young hungry lads who want to better themselves. The first team have been fantastic with them and there is a real positive vibe throughout the club, from top to bottom.

“The lads who have signed forms have had a taste for it and you can see the improvement in them when they return to the 21s. We are trying to emulate everything the first team do and the standards on and off the pitch are the incredibly high.”

On his own side’s preparations, Worthington added: “We designed pre-season to challenge the lads. We wanted to play teams at a decent level of men’s football so they can get used to the physicality of the men’s game, which will prepare them if they ever do play for the first team.

“We have one friendly left and once we have played this it would have been 12 games played. It is the longest pre-season I have ever done.

“Pleasingly, we have only lost twice, which were the first two games of pre-season. We have competed and picked up positives results against most of the teams we have played from the North West Counties, West Lancashire and Manchester League. We have seen the benefits of this when we have played sides that are within our age group, so we hope we can take this into the season.”

The first game of the season for the Under 21s has a very local feel when the young Blues will travel across town to face Clitheroe Wolves on Wednesday, 30 September.

They then have four games in October, starting with a trip to Blackburn Eagles before a first home game of the season against AFC Fylde. The Blues will then travel to Bacup before hosting Ribchester Rovers at the end of October.

“We cannot wait to get going. Obviously we have to play everyone twice, but to start with a local derby is exciting and will be a fantastic advert for all the talented footballers in and around Clitheroe.

“We want the fans to get to know the young lads at the club and will welcome any support we get for both home and away games. Hopefully with the first game being within the town we get a big turn out.”