For the second consecutive season, Lowestoft Town U19 rewrote the club's history books, producing another record-breaking campaign to finish joint runners-up alongside Southend United in the National Youth Alliance Division. It was a season that had everything. Difficult beginnings, memorable victories, heartbreaking defeats, remarkable resilience and unforgettable moments that will live long in the memory of everyone connected with the group. While the league title ultimately went to Chelmsford City, this squad once again demonstrated the values that underpin them —hard work, togetherness and continuous development—both on and off the pitch.

Section One: A Tough Start

The Young Trawlerboys could hardly have faced a more demanding start to the campaign. Opening away fixtures against AFC Sudbury, Enfield Town and eventual champions Chelmsford City presented an immediate test for a new-look squad still finding its feet. Trips to Sudbury and Enfield proved to be harsh lessons, with Lowestoft punished on both occasions in identical 5-2 defeats. While disappointing, those matches highlighted the standards required to compete consistently at National Youth Alliance level. The third league fixture at Chelmsford City, however, felt different.

Against the side who would eventually lift the title, Lowestoft produced a disciplined and courageous performance, matching their opponents for long periods and remaining firmly in the contest until the closing stages. Unfortunately, controversy struck in the dying moments when a debatable refereeing decision awarded Chelmsford an indirect free-kick just three yards from goal, which the hosts converted. Although the Young Blues had started with three consecutive league defeats, the performance gave the squad genuine belief. Improvements were evident, confidence remained high and there was a growing feeling that the first victory wasn't far away.

Section Two: Belief Becomes Results

Three league defeats. Elimination from both the FA Youth Cup and National Cup. For many teams, that could have been the moment confidence disappeared. Instead, it became the catalyst.

Rather than allowing disappointment to divide them, the squad responded by raising standards, trusting the process and remaining united. The response was immediate. A superb 3-2 victory away at Bishop's Stortford secured the first league win of the campaign and kick-started an outstanding run of form. King's Lynn visited the Blues for the first home league fixture of the season. Despite falling 2-0 behind early, the Young Trawlerboys showed incredible resilience to fight back and claim a thrilling 5-4 victory.

Momentum continued to build. One of the standout evenings of the season arrived when Ipswich Town Under-16s visited Crown Meadow in the Suffolk U18 Cup. Playing academy opposition under the lights in front of an excellent crowd, Lowestoft produced one of their finest displays of the campaign to record an outstanding 4-1 victory. The year ended with a composed 3-1 home win over Billericay Town before the New Year began emphatically with a dominant 5-0 away victory at Aveley.

Then came one of the defining moments of the season. League leaders Chelmsford City travelled to Crown Meadow with Lowestoft now breathing down their necks after an outstanding turnaround in fortunes. Having controlled large periods of the contest, the scores remained level entering the closing stages before Harvey Gooch smashed home a dramatic late winner, sending players, staff and supporters into delirium. It was more than just another three points. It was the moment this group truly believed they could challenge for the league title.

Section Three: Fine Margins in a Title Race

Sitting second in the table and having won six consecutive matches in all competitions, confidence within the camp was soaring. Next came arguably the biggest fortnight of the season. Consecutive fixtures against Southend United, home and away, would have a huge bearing on the title race. These meetings have always produced entertaining contests, with last season's memorable 2-0 victory at Crown Meadow still fresh in the minds of many players.

The home fixture certainly lived up to expectations. Locked at 2-2 entering the final twenty minutes, both sides had opportunities to take control. It was Southend who capitalised first, breaking quickly to edge ahead before their goalkeeper produced an outstanding save late on to deny Lowestoft what looked a certain equaliser. A narrow defeat, but one that showed just how little separated the two sides.

Seven days later the teams met again at Garons Park. Lowestoft delivered one of their most disciplined and hardworking performances of the campaign, creating the better chances during the opening exchanges and feeling unfortunate not to be ahead. The breakthrough instead came from Southend captain Dylan Lovely, whose spectacular strike from over 30 yards flew into the top corner. The Young Blues continued to push relentlessly in search of an equaliser, but with bodies committed forward in stoppage time, Southend broke away to score a second and secure all three points. Two defeats were difficult to take.

Yet the margins were incredibly fine, and the performances reinforced just how far this young group had come since those difficult opening weeks. Everything would now come down to the final stretch.

Section Four: The Final Push

With six league fixtures remaining, the equation was simple. Lowestoft needed to win virtually every game to stand any chance of securing a top-three finish, with Chelmsford City, Southend United, Bishop's Stortford and AFC Sudbury all ahead or holding games in hand.

The first challenge was Enfield Town at Crown Meadow on a foggy afternoon. Having been comprehensively beaten earlier in the season, the Young Blues were determined to show how far they had progressed. Leading for 87 minutes, victory looked destined before Enfield fired a superb volley through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner to rescue a point. The disappointment at full-time spoke volumes. Earlier in the season the squad would have celebrated taking a point against Enfield. Now they walked away frustrated not to have claimed all three.

The response was exactly what was required. Victories followed away at King's Lynn (4-2), at home to Aveley (3-1) and away to Billericay Town (2-1), leaving everything to play for heading into the final two matches.

First came Bishop's Stortford. Trailing 1-0 at half-time despite being the better side, the players remained calm and confident that their chance would come. Within ten minutes of the restart, the game had been turned on its head. Lowestoft led 2-1 and went on to record another outstanding victory against one of the division's strongest teams.

It all came down to the final afternoon. AFC Sudbury arrived at Crown Meadow knowing both sides had plenty to play for, while memories of the opening day defeat still lingered. History looked to be repeating itself when Sudbury took the lead. Instead, Lowestoft produced the perfect response. Within five minutes they had turned the game around, leading 2-1, before growing stronger with every passing minute. The Young Trawlerboys produced a superb second-half display to run out convincing 5-2 winners. The final whistle confirmed another incredible achievement. An unbeaten run of six matches to finish the season.

Joint runners-up in the National Youth Alliance alongside Southend United. Another record-breaking campaign.

Section Five: A Record-Breaking Campaign

As the season came to a close, there was plenty to celebrate. Since joining the National Youth Alliance in 2017, Lowestoft Town U19 achieved their highest-ever league finish, surpassing last season's record of fourth place. The team also recorded their highest number of home league goals since entering the competition while completing league doubles over four of their eight opponents.

Crown Meadow once again became a fortress. From eight home league fixtures, the Young Blues won six, drew one and suffered just a single narrow defeat. Across the past two seasons, they have lost only twice on home soil. Resilience became one of the defining characteristics of the group, coming from behind on four separate occasions to win matches.

Perhaps the biggest statistic of all reflected the journey the squad had travelled. After beginning the campaign with five consecutive defeats in all competitions, they finished by winning their final five matches—a remarkable transformation built through hard work, togetherness and belief.

Individual Awards

Golden Boot: Archy Gore enjoyed a sensational campaign, finishing as both Lowestoft Town's leading goalscorer and the National Youth Alliance Golden Boot winner with 14 goals in just 16 appearances.

Top Assists: Samuel Howell claimed the assist award for a second consecutive season, registering nine assists in only 14 appearances.

Players' Player & Star Player: Bailey Sutton collected both honours after an outstanding season that included four Man of the Match performances in 14 games.

Most Appearances: Callum Kemp started every single match during the campaign, demonstrating remarkable consistency and commitment.

Golden Gloves: Jack Trowbridge and Luan Porter shared the clean sheet award following an impressive defensive campaign.

Section Six: First Team Exposure

One of the biggest measures of success for any academy and education programme is the progression of players into senior football, and once again the pathway between the U19s and Lowestoft Town First Team has never looked stronger. Throughout the season, current Access Sport students Ashton Blogg, Samuel Howell, Bailey Sutton, Ben Atkinson, Luca Upton and Korey Beevor made a combined 93 First Team appearances. Former Access Sport students Ben Self and Josh Harvey also continued their development, adding a further 37 appearances between them.

These eight players now join Adam Sherwood, Jack Atkinson, Daniel Drage and Jack Trowbridge in a growing list of 12 Access Sport students who have represented Lowestoft Town First Team since 2022. Towards the end of the season, it became commonplace to see four or five former or current Access Sport students named in the First Team starting XI—a fantastic reflection of the strength of the pathway that has been created.

Alongside this, numerous students gained valuable experience with clubs across Steps 4-7 of the Football League System, further demonstrating the quality and progression being achieved throughout the programme.

Section Seven: Farewell – A Legacy Left Behind

Every season brings new beginnings, but it also means saying goodbye to players who have reached the end of their U19 journey. Firstly, a huge thank you and good luck to Callum Lockwood. Since joining the programme in 2023, Callum has made 46 appearances, making him the club's all-time appearance holder since entering the National Youth Alliance. He now embarks on an exciting football scholarship in the United States, and everyone at the club wishes him every success.

Another player who leaves an enormous legacy is Samuel Howell. Across three seasons, Samuel captained the side for much of his time with the club, making 44 U19 appearances to become the club's second-highest appearance maker. He also claimed back-to-back Top Assist awards and has already made 41 appearances for the First Team, ranking third amongst former Access Sport students. Samuel will continue his journey with Access Sport on the Level 5 programme while remaining part of the Lowestoft Town First Team.

Ben Atkinson departs after making 34 appearances and scoring 14 goals, placing him amongst the club's all-time leading appearance makers and goalscorers. Alongside his U19 achievements, he has already made 25 First Team appearances. Fletcher Littlechild concludes his U19 career after 32 appearances across three seasons and will continue developing through the Access Sport Level 5 programme.

Finally, Harvey Gooch leaves the programme to begin full-time employment. Harvey made 34 appearances over two seasons, scoring seven goals. None will be remembered more fondly than his dramatic late winner against Chelmsford City, one of the defining moments of this remarkable season.

Every departing player has left the programme in a stronger position than they found it.
Their legacy will continue to inspire those who follow.

Section Eight: Thank You

A successful season is never achieved by players and coaches alone. Behind every matchday and training session is a team of volunteers, staff and supporters whose commitment makes everything possible.

Special thanks go to Trevor Boyce for preparing the kit and helping maintain the pitch, Mikayla Cummings for ensuring the players were fuelled with pre-match meals, Terry Lynes for overseeing the administration of the programme, and Simon Tuck for promoting the team's achievements across social media.

A particularly special mention goes to Mark Kemp, whose dedication throughout the season has been nothing short of incredible. Travelling to every fixture and transporting players across the country, his commitment has been invaluable.

A huge thank you must also go to everyone else who has supported the programme throughout the season. Finally, sincere thanks go to the Access Sport staff—Gaven Tipple, Harry Blaxell and Sam Johnson—whose daily commitment to the educational and football development of every player continues to make a tremendous difference.

As another remarkable season draws to a close, there is much to reflect on with immense pride. From five consecutive defeats to begin the season to finishing as joint runners-up in the National Youth Alliance, this group demonstrated resilience, togetherness and unwavering belief. They broke records, created unforgettable memories and strengthened the pathway into senior football once again.

While one chapter closes for some players, another is just beginning. Preparations for the 2026/27 campaign are already on the horizon, and everyone involved looks forward to welcoming a new group back for pre-season at the end of July, ready to write the next chapter in the history of Lowestoft Town U19.

Thank you for your incredible support throughout another unforgettable season.

Up the Trawlerboys.

Lowestoft Town U19 Players 2025/26: Ben Atkinson, Korey Beevor, Ashton Blogg, Aiden Chirimunjiri, Zac Cutajar, Corbyn Dixon, Riley Eastell, Bailey English-Sutton, Harvey Gooch, Archy Gore, Gabriel Hind, Samuel Howell, Callum Kemp, Callum Lake, Callum Lambourn, Fletcher Littlechild, Carson Lochrie, Callum Lockwood, Luan Porter, Sammy Tipple, Jack Trowbridge, Noah Underdown, Luca Upton