Referee Kevin Welsh forms Academy at Faversham Town

A Kent based referee is playing a key role in developing young talent at Faversham Town.



Kevin Welsh, 26, is the Football Academy Director at the Brompton Football Academy, which is based at Marlborough Road, Gillingham.

Welsh has enlisted Faversham Town’s Clive Walker and others into coaching local youngsters, who will progress into the club’s first team squad, who play Ryman League Division One South football at Salters Lane, just off the A2.

Welsh said: “We are currently undergoing a rebuild and we will have a brand new floodlit all weather pitch within the next year and a half.  We have established a link with Faversham Town Football Club due to their vast range of coaching expertise.

“The Football Academy will be a blend of football and academic studies.  Pupils will be able to train two or three times a week and take part in a match against other schools/sixth form football academies.

“Most importantly the lads will be trained/coached by Level 2 to UEFA A Licenced coaches.   The link with Faversham provides a realistic option to compete at a good level of football, firstly with the Ryman Youth League, from there the players could potentially break into the reserve and first team if their talents allow them to.”

The lads will have their own tracksuit, polo shirt, training top, football bag, training shorts, training socks, football kits to show that they are part of the Football Academy.

Pupils will study a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Sport alongside other qualifications such as Business Studies/ICT/Higher Leadership Awards or Extended Project about a particular issue in football.

All of these qualifications have a UCAS points equivalent and this can lead to University studies or a career pathway in the sporting industry.

“I am currently a Deputy Subject Leader of PE at the Academy and it was I who proposed the idea,” explained Welsh.

“My football background is that I have played to County Standard when I was younger in Northumberland.  I moved down to Kent about six years’ ago with my family.

“I am currently an active referee on the Kent League and at 26 I hope to continue my progression to the highest level.

“More importantly the coaching team will consist of Martin May (who plays for Hollands & Blair and is a Level 2 Coach), myself (a Level 2 Qualified Coach) and Clive Walker (UEFA A Licenced Coach and Faversham Town’s assistant manager).

“Faversham will have an input in the coaching side, with Clive looking to regularly coach sessions, Chris Greenfield, the club’s under 18 manager and first team manager Ray Turner will also have some involvement on a lesser scale.”

The Football Academy is aimed at anyone who wants to continue after Year 11 or Year 12 and combine football with academy studies.

Anyone interested in taking part in trials, should contact Kevin Welsh by email kevinwelsh@bromptonacademy.org.uk

Please mention that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk


Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk