Mark Lillis looked ahead to Huddersfield Town’s big FA Youth Cup showdown with Manchester United tomorrow and said: “You can’t buy this kind of experience for our players.”
The junior Red Devils come to the John Smith’s Stadium for the fifth-round tie (7.00) aiming to continue a proud tradition in the prestigious competition.
United have won the Youth Cup 10 times, more than any other club, and been beaten finalists in four other seasons.
They were the inaugural winners in 1953, and lifted the trophy in each of its first five years, a spell when legendary Old Trafford manager Matt Busby took a keen interest in junior football.
Current Town manager Mark Robins is, of course, a Manchester United youth product and works closely with academy manager Lillis and coaches Frankie Bunn and Tony Carss.
Town, who reached the Youth Cup final in 1974, when they lost 2-1 over two legs to Spurs, have invested heavily in their academy.
They gained category two status under the Elite Player Performance Plan and the Under 18s currently top their division in the Professional Development League.
Luton (3-1 after extra time at the John Smith’s) and West Brom (4-2 after extra time at The Hawthorns) have been beaten en route to round five.
Lillis expects a United side led by Paul McGuinness, son of former first team manager Wilf, to provide the toughest test of the season so far, but says Town are up for the cup.
“They are a big club at every level of football, they have academy category one status and they will want to go all the way in the competition,” he said.
“United have some very good players – you would expect that of a club of their stature – but it’s a great challenge for our lads.
“A lot of work has been put in to our academy, and it’s an ongoing process because it’s a vital part of the club’s future. We’re pleased with the way things are going, but this is a great opportunity to gauge where we are at.
“For the lads, it’s a chance to pit themselves against very good opposition and gain vital experience of playing at a proper ground.
“In my day, reserve team football was a big thing, and we regularly played at big grounds, but these days, that’s not so much the case.
“Now development matches often take place at training grounds, and a player can make his first-team debut having never played at a proper stadium.”
Paul McGuiness got a feel for Town’s ground when he joined the posse of scouts watching Saturday’s 1-0 Championship win over Wigan.
Meanwhile Town have scouted United’s junior side, who beat Burnley in the third round of the Youth Cup and Leicester in the fourth.
“We prepare for games the same way the first team do, and that also helps the lads who progress through the ranks,” added Lillis.
“They have an idea of the routine going into games and I think the way we build up to matches is something they embrace and enjoy.
“Hopefully they will embrace and enjoy tomorrow’s game, and it would be great to see plenty of our supporters in the stadium to cheer the lads on.”
It’s pay at the gate (£5 adults and £3 concessions) with all fans housed in the Direct Golf UK Stand lower tier.
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