YOU'VE heard of Busby's Babes and Fergie's Fledglings but how about Lister's Little 'Uns!

Colne boss John Lister has instilled a youth policy at the rejuvenated NWCL Division Two side, which has an average age of just 19.

The young blood coursing through the veins of the Holt House club seems to be doing the trick as Colne have already picked up more wins than they managed throughout the whole of last season's forgettable campaign.

And with three wins and a draw already in October the whisper is that Lister could be up for the Manager of the Month award.

"I'm not even going to talk about that," admitted the player/boss. "People have mentioned it but as soon as you believe it you go and lose. But I have to say I am very happy with the way things are going at the moment. There is a real confidence about the place and the lads have forgotten how to lose. "

It seems a far cry from last season when Colne went 13 games without picking up a single point. But throughout those dark days, Lister said he always had the full backing of the club.

He added: "I have a very good relationship with the chairman Dave Blacklock and he has been very supportive. If I have a problem I can go to him and he listens to what I have to say."

Lister, at 35, is the veteran of the side with Stuart Walters and Gary Dalton, both the wrong side of 30, adding that valuable experience.

But elsewhere the side is made up of talented teenagers.

"They're just kids," joked Lister. "But they are bigger than me already -- and they're still growing!

"The team is learning fast and they have quickly realised what you can and can't get away with at this level."

Keeper Ross Baxter, 19, has already picked up a Safe Hands of the Month award while new striker George Craddock, also 19, from Charnock Richard has started to bang the goals in.

Gavin Cooper, 18, released from Bolton Wanderers last season, has also been in fine form this term.

Add fellow 18-year-olds Mark Berry and Ben Callon, Paul Fildes, 20, and leading scorer Chris Ingham, 22, who has scored four goals in four games, and the future looks bright for Colne.

Just as long as the big clubs don't come sniffing.

Lister added: "You can't stop clubs trying to poach your players because it is all part of the game. But hopefully these lads will be at Colne for a good few years because they are our future.

"I know they want to achieve things but I would like to think they can achieve them here at Colne."

Colne will get the chance to see how far they have progressed this season when they take on high-flying Alsager who beat them 2-0 back in August.

Lister added: "They are probably the strongest side we have played against so it will be good test for us to see how well we are doing."