NEW Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers yesterday promised he will “fight for his life” to bring success and ultimately the title to Anfield.

Rodgers’s career will now be very much under the microscope, but a little known fact is that he played for Witney Town back in their Southern League days.

Rodgers, a midfielder, spent two months on loan to the Blanketmen in 1994-95 under the management of Gary Ackling, who had that season taken over from Andy Lyne.

Ackling also took Rodgers with him when he managed Newbury.

“Brendan was a very gifted player and I have followed his career closely and with interest ever since he entered the pro game,” said Ackling.

“I am delighted for him and it just goes to show that if you get the breaks anything is achievable in football.”

  • THE first phase of far-reaching youth football development plans begins this month, with clubs being consulted on pitch layouts.

The proposals, which include youngsters playing smaller-sided games, were given the green light by the FA on Monday.

They do not come into force until the 2013/14 season, but the Oxford Mail Boys League are looking to run a nine-a-side competition for under 11s from September.

Following a constructive meeting with Oxford City Council and the Oxfordshire FA, the league will canvass clubs eligible to enter.

Decisions are needed on the locations of the new pitches, with some smaller venues likely to face a choice between the new nine-a-side and the intermediate size used already.

Paul Lyon, fixture secretary at the league, said: “From our point of view, it’s good this will be brought in for next season so we can use it as a trial and learn from any mistakes ahead of it becoming compulsory next year.”

About 80 per cent of clubs with an under 11 side have indicated they want to field a team in the nine-a-side league.

Clubs have until the league’s AGM on June 20 to give their views.