We take youth football very seriously, says Erith Town boss Tony Russell

ERITH TOWN boss Tony Russell says he is giving youngsters a chance to progress through the club’s ranks again next season, writes Stephen McCartney.



Russell, 32, guided the club to eighth place in the Safety Net Associates Kent League and the Dockers clinched the Kent Senior Trophy with a 3-1 win over Tunbridge Wells at Welling United’s Park View Road ground on 17 April, in his first managerial job.

Russell now begins the search to find a new youth team manager to ensure there is a link between all three sides at the Avenue Road based club next season.

“We take youth football very seriously and are looking for a manager who can work and bring good, young players on,” said Russell.

Reserve team manager, James Collins, 28, said it’s important for a Kent League club to develop home grown talent.

“As a club we are very keen on developing youth, which is why we introduced a youth team last season,” said Chislehurst based Collins, a football coach who works for Arsenal’s Grass Roots Community Scheme.

“After letting them settle into the surroundings at a senior club, we made a major push after Christmas to introduce as many of the youth team guys into the reserves.  A total of eight players made the step up and one (Lamarl Hubbard) made the progression onto featuring for the first team.

“We do things the right way at Erith Town from the chairman right down to the youth team.

“Tony, myself and my assistant Mark Banks, believe that the reserve team is to develop the younger players in the area and put them in with players that are on the fringes of the first team.

“Twelve players which started out with us at the beginning of the season featured for the first team.

“I think that shows that at Erith Town we give everyone a chance and in Tony we have a first team manager who isn’t afraid to promote in from the reserve team so it’s important for me and Banksy to have a youth team that we can go to and develop the next crop of youngsters, when Tony plucks from the reserve crop.

Collins, who played for Kent County League sides Phoenix Sports, Crockenhill and Bromleians Sports, outlined the kind of person that the club are looking for.

He said: “It is important that the candidate buys into what we are doing and wants to see and play a part in players’ coming through the ranks and going on to have a successful playing career.”

Russell, meanwhile, is in negotiations with players as he prepares for the new Kent League season and has already confirmed the identity of his new assistant manager, who replaces Lew Watts, who stepped down earlier in the month due to increased business commitments.

“All the boys’ from last year are staying,” said Russell.

“As for new players, I have had a chat with two and planning on meeting two more but I don’t have any signed.”

Speaking about his new number two, Russell added, “His name is Darren Upson.  I went to school with him and he was the second team manager of Erith a couple of season’s ago.”

Meanwhile, the club are seeking committed people to join the club committee. While the role is voluntary you will be allowed in to home games free of charge and play an active role within the club.

This is open to people of all ages and male or female who feel that they could offer something to the club.

Email erithtownfixtures@yahoo.co.uk to put your name forward and seek further details.

To apply for the youth team manager’s vacancy please call James Collins at the club.  Players wanting a trial should send their details to the above email address.

Visit Erith Town’s website: http://www.erithtownfc.co.uk/