Standish Panthers U-8’s was formed in August 2009 and went straight into the Wigan and District Mini soccer league for its first introduction to ‘team’ football. The league is non competitive so it can be a good environment for players to begin playing and developing into a team.

I am Stuart Barton and together with my assistant, Paul Carr, manage and coach this squad of young players. We play our home games at The Convent and training takes place on Ashfield Park.

We are committed to developing the right environment where young players can develop their football skills together with the important social skills of respect, sportsmanship and fair play. These important behaviours and values are reinforced from the outset and will hopefully stay with the players whatever they chose to do in the future. These behaviours have been important to us this year as at times our “new” squad has been playing against well established teams.

We have had to remain positive and supportive as the players ‘learned’ how to play and work as a team. However, this approach has been very rewarding and as the season progressed the team really began to develop and play well. We are really looking forward to next season so that these young players can continue their ‘football education’.