At Boston United Academy, we place a huge emphasis on the continued development of players between 18-21 - and a huge emphasis on a players’ ‘3rd Year’ of youth football.

It has been identified that, time and time again, at this age, good players leave the game as they hit a development ‘ceiling’.

It is not that most players are not good enough at 18 - they are just not ready. The lack of teenagers playing even 10+ games in the National League / EFL tells us that teenagers do not play significantly at these levels. This often leads to drop out or to players ‘settling’ for playing at lower levels, way below their potential ceiling.

At Boston United Academy, we want those 3rd Year players who recognise that they are still in a development phase, and we are willing to invest time and opportunity into these players to help them work towards their goals. It may well be patience, as much as talent, that gets players there in the end!

This season, TEN of our Youth Team players have various levels of offers to progress into our U23s/First Team:

- 1 x First Team contract
- 2 x Full U23 contracts (both specifically came to BUFC for a ‘3rd Year’)
- 4 x U23 non-contract offers (all at end of 3rd Year)
- 3 x U19-U23 ‘hybrid’ offers (3rd years for 24/25)

‘Third Year’ Trial Game - July

To help us do this, we will be running a trial game at BUFC on July 3. If you are interested in playing in this game designed specifically for third year year players (24/25) please click here to complete our online form.