Next Wednesday sees yet another significant milestone in our progression as a Club as we take our place in the First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup for the first time.
A 100% record in our Isthmian League campaign with five wins from five has also seen our youngsters progress in the Cup following a Bye in our Preliminary Round draw against Whyteleafe.
Home wins against Sutton Athletic (7-1), Phoenix Sports (4-2) and Bexhill United (3-2) sees us continue our journey at home to Aldershot Town.
Youth Development Manager Louis Dean was wholesome in his praise of his young charges.
“We’ve had this group for the last six or seven years and we’ve all worked extremely hard. We’re all first years, with a couple of under 16 players involved.
We’ve been playing “up” an age group for a while now, and with players making the Under 23’s squad, it has put us in good stead going into this FA Youth Cup campaign.
We said the FA Youth Cup would be a “free hit” this year from day one, but we wanted to challenge ourselves and see what we can achieve. To get through to the First Round by beating teams of 2nd year players is a fantastic achievement for the players”.

Youth Development Manager Louis Dean

With a proud, expectant crowd anticipated under the Artic Stadium lights, it promises to be one of the biggest occasions in the youngster’s fledgling careers.
“Excited ?....You could say that ! They’re chomping at the bit.
They know there’s gonna be a good crowd there ; families, friends, people from within the game from a professional environment will probably come down and have a watch as well, so we’re making sure they’re feet are on the ground, managed properly and they’re not being burned out
Before the game we’ll want them to be relaxed, know the job at hand with a little bit of information from me, and then just go out and do their thing.
I’m so proud of the boys that played for the first team on Wednesday (at Tower Hamlets). I don’t think they let anybody down, and it’s food for thought for the management team over the next couple of years.
It just epitomises everything we do at the Club and the structure we’ve built.”

You can see the youngsters in action here at The Artic Stadium next Wednesday, 3rd November, kick off 7.30pm.

This article first appeared in the match day programme v Hythe Town on Tuesday.

Photo @BSportsphotos