Cray Wanderers' academy has "exceeded all expectations," says Anslow

Tuesday 05th January 2010

CRAY WANDERERS academy manager Darren Anslow says next season’s new recruits should look at the progress of striker George Porter as the main reason for teaming up with the Ryman Premier League club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The second oldest football club in the world - now celebrating their 150th anniversary - set up their academy last summer and are starting to reap the awards of producing home grown talent.

Eltham resident Anslow, 39, a former goalkeeper, who played for the likes of Erith & Belvedere, Crockenhill, Rainham Town, Fisher Athletic and Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club, begins the search for new recruits for the club’s academy next season.

When asked what his role is, Anslow, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, replied, “I manage the Cray Wanderers Academy full time at Coopers Technology College, Chislehurst and also deliver the Btec National Diploma in Sport.

“In September 2008, we as a club decided we would look at starting our own academy and made contact with a number of local schools. After numerous meetings, a partnership was made with Coopers Technology College in Chislehurst.

“The course is for boys starting in year 12 and run’s for two years. It allows the boys to study for the Btec national Diploma in Sport or “A” levels and coaching qualifications whilst also training full time.

“They also have the opportunity to represent the academy side, the reserves and the first team.”

Last April, Anslow, the first team management of Ian Jenkins, Joe Francis and Paul Blade, held trials over two days where they whittled the numbers down to twenty.

“To be honest we all decided the first year was all about establishing the academy and player progress,” said Anslow.

“We all thought if we could get a player in the first team within two years that would be fantastic. We managed that within twelve weeks.

“We have George Porter in the first team and a number of players in the reserve side, so I think it’s fair to say we have exceeded expectations.”

Cray Wanderers’ academy side sit proudly at the top of the eastern division of the Ryman Youth League and have progressed to the third round of the Ryman Youth Cup.

Anslow says he is pleased with Porter’s progress, which sees him lead the line alongside Leigh Bremner in Jenkins’ first team squad.

“Absolutely delighted but not at all surprised,” said Anslow. “From day one he looked a player and is obviously talented. I think the fact that he had a great pre-season with the academy training full-time that he just pushed on.

“What does surprise me is that he slipped through a number of local academy side’s fingers prior to trialling with us.

“It goes to show the progress that he has made with us that he is currently training twice a week with Charlton and is also being watched by a number of other clubs.

“If George keeps his feet on the ground and working as hard as he has been, he will go a long way and that’s a credit to this club.

“I also think it goes to show that just because you haven’t been picked up or been at a pro club by the age of seventeen it’s not all over and these academies offer a way back in.

Anslow agrees that club’s at Ryman League level must produce their own players.

He said: “It‘s absolutely vital, especially now for clubs in the pyramid. Every week we read or hear about budgets being cut or clubs needing huge budgets to get promoted, so to be self sufficient and produce your own talent is very important.

“It would be great to think that in three or four years we could produce a number of first team players that would help Jenko’s squad and there’s always the chance that you might find the player who moves on for a considerable amount and help the club financially.

When asked how much the academy costs to run, Anslow replied, “Like everything, it costs a lot of money. Luckily we have had a sponsor this year who wishes to remain anonymous but without him we would have been in trouble.

“As for next season we will have our next intake so will have to find another team so if anyone out there’s interested, please let me know.

Potential players can progress from the academy side into the reserve team - as Anslow is also the club’s reserve team manager.

“I helped (former reserve team manager) Mark Hanscombe from Christmas last year and we made a conscious effort to bring in young players who we think will be talented enough to progress into the first team in the future.

“In my first (reserve team) game in charge away to Maidstone United last month, the average age of the team was eighteen years old.

“We have some talented young players at the club who aren’t far away from knocking on the door and when their ready, as Jenko’s shown with George Porter, he will have no problem in bringing them in.

“From this years academy side we have a couple for the future if they carry on developing the way they are. They are Frazer Cronin and Gio Fullone and Charlie Swann and Jean Gnappi. Both Frazer and Gio are now firmly established in the reserves and the other two are not far off.”

For more information on joining Cray Wanderers’ academy next summer, you can contact Darren by email:

danslow@coopers.bromley.sch.uk

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Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk