THE U20s section of Alloa’s youth pathway will be invited to train with the first team in an effort to help bridge the gap to senior football.

The oldest youth section of Alloa’s current player pathway is a recent addition, brought in to help secure more movement from the U18s to the first team.

Addressing the pathway at the Alloa Athletic season ticket holders Q&A session last week, Graham doubled down on the importance of the player pathway.

He said: “I gave advice about bringing in the U20s as I thought the gap between the U18s and the first team was a bit big.

“It’s difficult to do so the U20s will bridge that gap – we’re looking to bring the U20s to train on a Tuesday night before us which allows me to build up a relationship with the U20s players.

“When I’m looking to bring one of them in to train, they’re feeling a lot more comfortable about it rather than them not knowing anyone and feeling nervous.

“If I’ve got that relationship with them, they’ll get to see how the first team conduct themselves and get to see what they do before training.

“I think it’s really important for players to see that rather than turning up, training and going up the road.”

Alloa in recent years has seen talented youngsters progress through the youth system and make debuts under the first team.

Brian Rice handed starts to Luke Rankin and Steven Buchanan, while Andy Graham has shown faith in Reece Mullen this season.

Going further back, Cameron O’Donnell was introduced to the first team by Peter Grant, going on to become a mainstay of the team since then.

“The player pathway is really important to me,” he went on. “You look at Steven Buchanan, Cammy O’Donnell, Luke Rankin and Reece Mullen.

“I’m more than willing to give them opportunities – age isn’t a thing for me, it’s about quality that you’re bringing and what you’re producing on a Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday.”

Graham was joined at the Q&A session by Alex Brown, who was on hand to answer any questions about the community side of the club.

Mr Brown explained that the current youth football model has seen some change in recent months, most notably a new head of youth coming in.

The appointment of Gary Miller will see the club work to improve and integrate the player pathway with the first team.

Mr Brown said: “We’ve recently had a change in the head of youth – Gary Miller has come in - and Andy was keen to introduce the U20s to complete the pathway.

“That transition from 18s to first team and the U20s have been brought in to do just that.

“We’re now sitting with around 60 registered players across three age bands – U16s, U18s and U20s.

“Gary’s not been in the door very long but he’s made some changes and brought in a whole host of players.

“That’s not a six month project – that’s much longer than that before we see fruition on that and it’s important that we try and give the locals a chance and get players who can go through that pathway and hopefully get in around Andy’s first team.”