New side will spearhead return of youth football

Whitstable Town are relaunching youth football at the Ryman South club next season.

After many years without running any youth teams apart from their U18s, the Oystermen have announced that they are entering a new U13s side into next season's Kent Youth League as a first step towards covering many more age groups.

Announcing the news at The Belmont on Wednesday, Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson, pictured, said: "This was one of my initial three objectives when I took the chair some three seasons ago; I have one matter now outstanding and that is to organise a ‘Supporters Club’ and I’m confident that this will happen soon too.

"This is an exciting step forward for the club has had no association with youth football for many years although many thought we had. The U13s will be very much part of the club and it is hoped that this will be the forerunner of other age groups under the Town banner.

"It’s another opportunity to embrace the local community and hopefully attract the fans of tomorrow whilst providing organised coaching and competitive football that could well see the youngsters of today be the Town players of tomorrow."

Chris Woollcott, charged with driving the U13s forward, is looking forward to hosting trials for the new team between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday 30 May on the 3G pitch at Whitstable Community College.

He said: "It's a great opportunity for myself and the local lads who now have a path to follow in the footsteps of players like Scott Heard. We want to make the youth team a stepping stone to the senior teams for those who have the potential."

For more information email: chriswoollcott@hotmail.com.

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