Under 18s coach Gary Bowyer has been pleased with the development and progress of his players during the 2008/09 campaign.

The progression of footballers from the Academy to the Reserves and then first team is one of the most important aspects at the club, and in a season where results have been mixed, there have been many positives in terms of footballer development.

"I think if you look at the season as a whole from the purpose of what we are here for then we've had a lot of lads that have progressed into the Reserves this year and have played more Reserve games this year," said Bowyer.

"Jason Lowe scored two stunning goals for the Reserves, Phil Jones has progressed and gone up there, with both of them are training up there full time and they are only Academy 1st years. So from that aspect that has been a positive.

"Then towards the end of the season, we've had Aaron Doran, who people forget is still an Academy 2nd year and could have played in the youth team this year quite regularly but he's only played two games.

"So from the purpose of development of the players in progressing it has been quite good."

A close relationship between the Academy and the Senior Training Centre is essential, and with Reserve team boss Iain Brunskill in place, Bowyer has seen positive signs going forward.

"With Iain Brunskill coming in and him being an ex-academy coach that has helped. He understands the development of the players and the importance of getting them through the system quickly, and what it has done is enabled us to play young.

"We've had 1st years playing this season that played over 15 games, and it isn't just one or two, we've had seven or eight playing that many games. It is good for them to be stretched and tested that early.

"In previous seasons that hasn't happened here, so we are hoping to reap the benefits of that next year with that group of players.

"Results wise we started the season quite well, but then had a terrible run well before Christmas and then we picked up towards the end where we'd win one and lose one.

"So it has been a massive learning experience for those young players because the majority of the time we've had under 16s that have come through as well, which we did a lot last year too with the likes of Phil Jones and Jason Lowe and they've gone on this year, so that principle we hope will continue.

"We've been delighted with some of the under 16s that have stepped up from Terry McPhillips' side and he's done a good job at getting them ready to play under 18s football, and we hope that they can progress next year as well."