History

For the 2009/2010 season Groomsport will have two teams entered in the Ards Borough Youth League.

We have one Under 15 side (born 1996), and one under 16 side (born 1995)

We also run three MIni-Soccer teams in the North Down Mini Soccer League. This is a seven aside format and is ideal for younger kids born 1997/98/99.

Over the past 3 seasons Groomsport Youth have developed players who have reached County and Northern Ireland status. Sarah Gamble represents both Down and Northern Ireland at the 94 age group. Jordie McMillan, captain of our 95 team represents County Down and scored a brace against Armagh in December. Jordie has also made the last 18 of the county side who will be playing in the milk cup in July. Robert Gamble, captain of our 96 team is also a full county player.

The 1995,s under 16 team will commence training on Monday 2nd August at 18.30 at the Meadows

Groomsport youth was reinvented in the summer of 2004. Phil Mckee and Billy McKimm conducted the first training session which included 7 kids. In the next few weeks the numbers grew in excess of fifty kids and more coaches were introduced. In the first year the team only played friendlies and was made up of kids who were born in 1994 and 1995. The second year saw Groomsport enter three, 11 aside teams into the new ABYDL which was made up of kids born in 1993, 1994,1995,and 1996. In the first year under the supervision of Phil, Billy, and Billy Miskelly the 1995 side lifted the cup and shield. The 93,94 side was under the supervision of Ian Patton and Paul Downie and struggled in their 1st season as they were always playing older, bigger teams but by year 3 the 94 team notched up some success reaching the final of the cup and finishing in the top three of the league. In April 2009 the 1996 team coached by Paul Black went within 3 points of winning the 1st division and both the 1995 and 1996 teams were narrowly edged out in the semi finals of ther cup. The 2009/2010 was also a massive success with the 95 team finishing runners up in the league and the 94 team reaching its second cup final in 3 years. Groomsport has many experienced coaches at the club including the calibre of Darren Erskine the Ards legend and Billy McMillan who was also with Ards as a youth. Ian Maitland has also joined the coaching staff for the 2010/11 season. Ian has also played Irish league football and has represented the Northern Ireland amateur league side.

All fixtures and results can be viewed on the abyl.leaguerepublic website which is updated every Sunday afternoon.