MAKE sure you tune in to Soccer AM on Saturday morning where two of the youth team go head-to-head in the Skill Skool feature.

Billy Bodin and Matt Clarke will be showcasing their talents and there are some funny, funny goings on.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but as well as the skills there is also some clothing to look out for which is sure to excite a few of the female viewers!

They made up their own routine, but some of the things shocked Paul (Bodin, Under 18 manager), and that was coming from his lad!

On Wednesday I attended a Football League meeting at the Madejski Stadium, where every club in the south west gets together to discuss a range of issues including funding and meeting various criteria, and there are also some technical sessions put on by the FA.

The biggest debate at the moment is about a winter break and whether we should have one.

There will be one introduced this year between January and February for the Academy and Centre of Excellence programmes, and I think it will only be a matter of time before it is brought in at professional level.

In my opinion I’m all for it. We are trying to give the kids a learning environment and the best opportunities and sometimes it is very difficult for them to perform when the weather and pitches are both terrible.

We had a big fundraising event for the Centre of Excellence last Friday night at the County Ground, which included a quiz, raffle and an auction.

More than 250 people came along to support us, made up of parents from the youngsters and businesses from across Swindon, and we raised about £5,000 for the department.

The auction was the most successful part with signed John Terry and Steven Gerrard shirts going alongside Liverpool tickets, a Liam Gallagher signed canvas, and the most expensive item which was two passes for Saturday’s Soccer AM show.

I want to thank all the people who supported us either with their attendance or with prizes that were donated to the raffle.

It was a fantastic night and was such a success that we’ve already booked another night for March 12, 2010. So get it in your diaries and come down to support us!