There is a wind of change blowing through Valley Parade.

And Julian Rhodes reckons it is a breath of fresh air for City fans.

The 2005-06 campaign will not linger in the memory for too long. A brief flirt with both ends of League One before another finish in 11th spot hardly hints at a dramatic sea-change in fortunes.

But according to the chairman, there was one obvious sign of progress which was long overdue the emergence of the new generation.

For a club once derided as "Dad's Army" for the wealth of experience in the ranks, the sight of four or five youngsters making their mark was particularly welcome.

"It's something we've never had before and always been criticised for," admitted Rhodes. "But their progress shows that the youth programme we set up in 2002 is clearly working.

"It was always going to take a few years but people are starting to sit up and take notice.

"We're not an academy. It started off with Chris Dowhan and Jon Pepper and now it's become Jon, Peter Horne and, of course, David Bosomworth overseeing the whole thing.

"The three of them are doing a phenomenal job but the one constant throughout has been Jon and he deserves a lot of credit."

City's young guns are symbolised by the two Joes, Brown and Colbeck, who have come on leaps and bounds in recent months.

Apart from a brief taster as a Carling Cup sub for winger Colbeck, the pair were relatively unknown outside of the youth team. But the club's change of policy to blood their youngsters in reserve games toughened them up and showed they were capable of making the jump to senior level.

Using the second string as a "halfway house", City were able to test out their promising young players against older opponents to see if they would sink or swim.

Rhodes said: "At the start of the season we made the decision to play the kids in the reserves. Despite what anybody says, they weren't ready to play in the first team so we did have to sign some seasoned pros.

"But it's worked out very well. They started off getting battered every week but despite that the confidence grew and towards the end of the season it was a rarity to lose a reserve game. It is completely different to youth-team football because you are playing against men but they have now adapted.

"That was apparent when we sent some of the senior lads out on loan to give the youngsters a chance and it coincided with an upturn in our form because they did so well."

Proof of the pudding came on a cold Tuesday night in March. City, hovering nervously above the relegation zone, were slugging it out with fellow strugglers Blackpool at Valley Parade.

Scoreless going into the third minute of stoppage time, the two Joes seized their moment. Colbeck crossed towards the penalty spot and Brown threw himself full length to head into the roof of the net.

"I think our season turned around with Joe Brown's winning goal against Blackpool," added Rhodes.

"The whole atmosphere around the stadium is completely different when you've got young lads that people can appreciate as one of their own and the fans also give them more of a chance.

"I remember Joe Colbeck coming on against Bristol City and he missed his first three touches completely. It looked like he had never seen a football before in his life!

"But he has never let his head drop and came back stronger. Even when he got left out after being taken off at half-time against Scunthorpe, Joe bounced back and did very well again.

"You look at Joe Brown, who has got goals in him, and we've got high hopes for the other lads coming through. And behind them, I've heard that the current intake into the youth team is the best we've ever had."

Colbeck and Brown have both been offered senior contracts as a reward for their contribution. Four others have also been given deals, although England under-18 defender Paul Denvers has turned his down to concentrate on university studies.

Further up the ladder, John Swift, Craig Bentham and Tom Penford can also view the season ahead with real optimism after making their mark.

Rhodes said: "Two or three months ago they were all probably wondering what to do next because they wouldn't be offered a contract. But they've kept their heads down, come into the team and not let anybody down.

"Colin (Todd) always looks for character in players and they have shown plenty of that. I think there is a lot to be excited about next season."