Bromley crowned Kent Youth League champions: I am very proud to do the double this year, says coach Jamie Leggett

JAMIE LEGGETT says he’s feeling so proud that Bromley claimed the Kent Youth League Under 18 North Division title today.

The young Ravens needed to claim six points in a double header at Glebe to win the title – and they delivered in style by beating their Chislehurst based neighbours 6-1 and 3-0.



DOUBLE WINNERS: Jamie Leggett’s Bromley claimed the Kent Youth League Kit To Fit Challenge Cup after beating Hollands & Blair 2-1 at Corinthian’s Gay Dawn Farm on 20 April, courtesy of goals from Jordan Gadd and Andy Somo.
Photo: Bromley FC

“It has been a very long season and I’m so proud at the end of it that we got the job done and got what we deserved for the management team, supporters and, of course, the players,” said coach Leggett, 31, who played for Bromley at under 16, 17 and 18 level before spending a couple of seasons in the reserve side.

“I was asked to come back in at the start of the season by Alton Francis, the youth secretary, who I have known since his son Marvin Francis (now playing for Sutton Athletic) was playing for Bromley.

“I guess I always have had a soft spot for Bromley from years’ ago and I watched the lads at the end of last season and thought I could improve them, which I hope I have done.

“We have lost four games and drawn one in all competitions and I believe the only game we have let ourselves down in was the Bridon Ropes semi-final, but well done to them on the day.

“We have beaten some very talented teams and players this season that have played in the Ryman Under 21 League’s or in the first teams at Ryman League clubs such as Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Folkestone, so I don’t think being double winners and reaching two other semi-finals is a bad season, is it?

“I’m very proud of every one of our players, even the under 16 players that have stepped up at times and played for us.”

Neil Smith’s first team finished their second National League campaign at a personal best of tenth-place with a club record of 62 points and Leggett admits it will be hard for his players to break into a professional league – but wants Smith to take a look at them during the pre-season campaign.

Leggett said: “I will never say this name and that name as that ain’t right. All our lads have worked so hard this season for each other and are the best Bromley team that I have ever worked with over the years and are very talented players in their own right.

“But that has been the question that I have asked myself and others all season and if I sit down now after us winning the double, I believe that they should be at least given a chance and looked at, as I feel they are all talented lads and should be given a chance to impress, in friendly games, behind closed door games or training with the first team.

“I understand it’s very hard for a big club like Bromley, as the money paid out in non-league now, it’s getting harder and harder for any youngsters to come through but I just feel that they should be given a chance to impress, that’s all I ask for.

“But if not, I 100% believe, if not this coming year, but in the next few, some of these lads’ names will be spoken about in non-league football at a high level.”

Leggett has plenty of contacts in the game to ensure his talented squad are playing senior non-league football next season.

“I am very proud to win the double this year.  I’d like to thank everyone at Bromley Football Club; Alton Francis; the management team; supporters and mostly the lads.

“It has been an amazing season, very long, but we kept ticking the games off and got the job done and whatever happens in the future if they all keep learning I am sure we will be hearing their names in a couple of years and I can say ‘I coached that lad.’

“I’m very proud of each and every one of the players.  Now for me I will sit down and see what will happen in the future and see if I can help the lads if they are not at Bromley to find the right clubs for these lads to keep progressing in the game.”

Meanwhile, Bromley striker Louis Collins, 15, clinched the Golden Boot in the Kent Youth League Under 16 North Division, after scoring 36 goals in 20 games for the title winners.

Hadlow based Louis, the son of Sevenoaks Town manager Micky, has scored 79 goals in 62 games this season for Bromley, Charlton Athletic, the Kent representative side and for his school.

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