Bromley appoint Steve Aris as their professional squad manager and head of youth academy

BROMLEY have appointed Steve Aris as professional development squad manager and head of youth academy.

Aris joined the Vanarama National League club as head of youth academy in 2018 and in this time has helped structure the youth age groups, create future pathways for players and has overseen the clubs youth academy coaching team throughout the season.

The 43-year-old originally started coaching Bromley’s under sevens and has worked his way up through every age group culminating in him now being responsibly for helping bridge the gap for players between the academy, under 23 professional development squad and Andy Woodman’s first-team squad.

The former Millwall, Fisher Athletic, Tonbridge Angels and Cray Wanderers centre-half, takes over from the solid work already undertaken by Roger Johnson and has made an immediate impact with the rise of academy scholars AJ Martin and Marcus Sablier into the first-team squad.

Academy and Sporting Director, Mark Hammond told the club website: “I’ve known Steve throughout his playing career and obviously knew he was working part-time for us.

“I tried on a number of occasions to get him in and finally we have now secured his full-time services.

“He is an ambitious, hard-working and an exciting coach with an eye for player development.”

The club added: “As professional development manager and head of youth academy, Steve’s ultimate role is to help produce home-grown talent and maintain and improve the player pathway throughout the club at all levels, eventually leading to the first-team squad.

“Everyone at Bromley Football Club would like to congratulate Steve on his fully deserved new role at Hayes Lane.”

The Lillywhites kick-off their 2021-22 Vanarama National League campaign at home to relegated side Grimsby Town in front of the BT Sport cameras at Hayes Lane on Saturday 21 August (17:20).

Bromley, meanwhile, welcome Charlton Athletic to Hayes Lane for their final pre-season friendly on Friday, 13 August (19:00).

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv