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Riley Looking To Follow In Uncle's Footsteps
Written by Newcastle Utd
Ian Bogie was an FA Youth Cup winner in 1985 - and now his nephew Michael Riley hopes to do the same in 2012
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Michael Riley is hoping that FA Youth Cup success runs in the family - and that he can follow in the footsteps of his uncle Ian Bogie in lifting the trophy for Newcastle United.
Bogie, now manager of Gateshead, was part of the celebrated class of 1985 which also featured Paul Gascoigne and remains the last Magpies side to win the trophy following a 4-1 aggregate win over Watford.
Now, as he prepares for Thursday night's fifth round tie at home to Queens Park Rangers, Riley is hoping to repeat the feat.
"Without a shadow of a doubt," said the young full-back. "We've got a good side and everyone in the team, everyone in the dressing room and all of the coaches really want to win the Youth Cup this year.
"Everyone's really buzzing and looking forward to getting out there and putting a good performance in.
"And we're all confident going into the game that we can get the right result."
QPR lost their Academy status last year, but are third in the Football League Youth Alliance South East section with eight wins and four draws from 12 games, and beat Everton in the fourth round.
However, Newcastle are top of the Premier Academy League Group D and Riley believes they need fear nobody.
"They'll be a good side, but we beat Everton in the league," he said.
"Going between the Youth Cup and the league, we're consistently doing the business. We're beating most teams in front of us and we're top of our league so we're going into it believing that we can do well."
United have navigated two ties at the Sports Direct Arena to reach this stage, with a 2-1 win over Watford coming after they began the campaign with a 3-0 third round victory over neighbours Darlington.
"That was their cup final, coming here and trying to get a result," Riley said. "But we played our normal game, got the result and moved onto bigger and better things.
"And against Watford, apart from the final ten minutes or so we were comfortable. I thought we moved the ball around really, really well and scored two excellent goals.
"We dominated throughout. They scored a late goal and had a late little rally, but I thought we defended well.
"It definitely helps when you've played there before. It's a big stage when you first go out there but most of the lads played there last year against Grimsby, and we've played there twice this season so everyone's confident and everyone's looking forward to the game.
"And it's great to have the supporters behind us. When you play league games not many fans come, so not many fans get to see the youth team play. But we've got a good side this season and hopefully a lot of fans will come and watch us."
Thursday's match at the Sports Direct Arena kicks off at 7pm. Admission to the East Stand is by paying at the turnstiles on the night and season ticket holders and Club Members are not entitled to free admission for this tie. Prices are £3 for adults and £1 concessions.