30thjuly03

Cairns:  Pearce first of many coming through Bromley's ranks

Nigel Pearce, made eight appearances for Stuart McIntyre's first team last season, but Bromley's under eighteen manager, Dave Cairns predicts more will be coming through the club's ranks, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cairns was impressed with the influx of youngsters who attended pre-season trials.  Casting his eye on fifty players in total, which included some players from last season's under sixteen squad.  Cairns said: "I have signed a twenty-two man squad, and we look stronger now than we did last year.  We should be challenging for honours, and I hope we can come away with a cup.  We have good Kent Youth players and county players in our squad."

Stability will be the key for Bromley after next season as Steve Kinchen, who managed the club's under 15 squad last season, will be in charge for Bromley's under 18 squads from season 2004-2005. Cairns said: "Steve Kinchen will manage the under 18 squad after next season. This will make the transition from youth football to reserve team football smooth and hopefully players will progress into the first team." With under 14 and under 15 squads playing in the Kent Youth League, and Mark Goldberg's trophy winning under 11 side playing in the Tandridge League, Bromley are playing their part in the local community.

Bromley Common based, Michael Harney, scored Bromley's first goal in their 2-0 victory over Boreham Wood last Saturday.  Harney joined the club in 1998 after spells at Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace. After leaving the club a year later to team up with Welling United, in their Conference days, the defender knew where home was and returned, initially on loan in December 2000, and made the move permanent in March 2001. He is now a key player in Bromley's Ryman League squad.

But it won't be long before a youngster living in Bromley will come up through the club's ranks and score for his home town team in the Ryman League. Cairns said: "We have four very strong squads and I feel we should win some honours this season." As Bromley's under 18 side return to play at Hayes Lane this season, Cairns emphasised the need for the club's supporters to come along to the ground and offer their support to the youth team, but most importantly the club they love. "What I would like to see happen, are Bromley supporters coming to Hayes Lane to use their club's facilities, and watch our youth team play.  The bar could be open and supporters can watch the youth team play before watching SKY TV and relaxing and have a social side at Bromley FC," asked Cairns.

Cairns feels there are seven youth team players who could progress into men's reserve team football next season. "I am very excited about the future.  The youth section has made a huge leap in a very short space of time.  We now have a full set of Kent Youth League sides from under 14 right through to under 18 level.  We must be a very small elite band of clubs to have sides in every age group in Kent Youth league football, admitted Cairns.  

Bromley's first youth team product to play in the first team, Nigel Pearce, only joined the club last summer.  He helped Thamesmead Town, and Cairns, win the Bexley Under 15 A Division title and joined the Ravens from Crayford Arrows, and is a highly respected striker in Kent youth football. "A lot of people were impressed with Nigel Pearce when Kent won the Intermediate Counties Championship last season, as he was top scorer for them.  They said he was the best striker seen at that level for a long time.  It's up to Nigel and the person who mentors him, to take him under their wing.  He is eighteen years old next month, but he desperately wants to play for Bromley, " admitted Cairns.

A long trek to Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Youth Cup awaits Bromley's youngsters and if successful, and we surely hope they are, the young Ravens will be at Hayes Lane against Leatherhead or Erith Town. Cairns said: "All the players are looking forward to the FA Cup tie.  I am hoping they do well and get into the next round, where we will meet Erith Town or Leatherhead at Hayes Lane.  We will need your support and that will make a big difference to our players.  They will give their best and they will also appreciate your support."