Faversham youngsters adopt professional approach

Tuesday 26th May 2009

WHEN Faversham Town Football Club reformed back in 2003 the club set itself two major targets as it rose, phoenix like, from the ashes, writes Tony Gray.

The first target was for the club to regain it's senior status and return to playing in the Kent Premier League, the second being to provide the club with local 'homegrown' talent for the Salters Lane first team.

Whilst the club acheived goal number one with relative ease, earning promotion to the Kent Premier League at the first attempt, it was always envisaged that the second target would be a little longer coming to fruition but, as the curtain comes down on the Under 18's third season team manager Ray Turner can reflect with pride on what has been a year of highs culmination in seeing his young side crowned champions of the Southern section of the Kent Youth League as well as securing two Cup competition quarter-final appearances

As well as their efforts on the pitch manager Turner has been keen to instill a professional approach to all aspects of his team throughout the season.

A squad handbook, issued to all players, entitled "Be The Best" laid out the club's expectations for the youngsters - covering training sessions, matchday dress code, diet and nutrition along with a strong disciplinary code.

Local businessman, and long time supporter of the under 18 side, John Griffiths sponsored the young Lilywhites to the tune of £1000 which paid for the side's matchday nutrition for the season - high energy drinks, bananas and an 'endless' supply of jelly babies were always on hand in the dressing room before and during all matches.

Turner paid tibute to long time friend and benefactor Griffiths "I would like to express my personal thanks to John and to explain what the money has been used for," he told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

"At the beginning of the season I wanted to make this Under 18 side as professional as possible, I approached John and another anonymous backer at the club who I am also very grateful to with my ideas.

"I wanted to design a handbook that would be given to all the players at the beginning of the season outlining our football philosophy, our standards of behaviour on and off the pitch and our aspirations for the season.

"A colour booklet was produced and given to all squad members free and it is something I am very proud of. I also wanted all the boys to take pride in their appearance and dress accordingly to games, we have a dress code and the whole squad arrive at all games wearing trousers, shirt and Club tie, once again at no cost to the player.

"Finally and I believe crucially I wanted to introduce them to pre-match nutrition and the importance of preparing well for games, at all our games this season players have been provided with the relevant food and drink in order to maintain their high playing standards.

"I feel without a doubt that this financial support has not only enabled me to follow through with my ideas but is also the reason the Under 18 squad has performed so well this season."

The final league table speaks volumes for the team's achievements this year but, for anyone that has witnessed them at first hand their attitude before, during and after matches is testament to the professional attitude of the squad members along with the coaching staff of Turner, Kevin Doyle and Rob Sellens.

Having brought the first silverware into the Salters Lane clubhouse for many a season Turner is now leaving the next crop of youngsters in the hands of assistant Kevin Doyle as he steps up to become a member of the first team coaching staff joining team boss Justin Luchford, Clive Walker and Scott Davenport as the Lilywhites look to improve on this season's 4th position in the Kent Premier League.

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk