Faversham Town youth get going after lengthy preparation

Ray Turner looked ahead to Faversham Town Youth's first pre-season
friendly against Lewisham Borough on Wednesday night and insisted: Boy, do my lads deserve a game, writes James Brown.

The former Canterbury City midfielder, who was Player of the Year for Faversham Town Reserves last season, is revelling in his role as youth development officer at Salters Lane.

And he cannot wait to see his new under-18 side in action after the longest pre-season training campaign of his life - it started way back in APRIL.

Turner revealed: "The lads have been fantastic for me. They've worked really hard for the best part of four months - they really deserve this game.

"I've given them just one week off in all the time we've been training and that was for the England-Sweden game. To be honest, that was so poor I regret that now!

"It's been the longest pre-season of my life but the lads have been great. This is where it begins for us. I am still trying to formulate a side and there could be some new faces for Wednesday. We're still trying to give as many people a game as possible."

Turner explained that the majority of the squad were from Faversham and there was already a great sense of togetherness among the squad.

He said: "I've tried my hardest to generate a real spirit among the lads and I'd like to think that there is now a genuine bond there."

Turner is looking forward to the day when his under-18s are running out for both the Reserves and first team at Salters Lane.

And the early signs look encouraging with young striker Adam Oxberry having been invited to train with the seniors by second string boss Brett Harrison.

Turner said: "I've been working closely with Brett and it was a great that Adam was asked along. I'm told that he didn't look out of place among the senior players which is another big plus.

"He is only 16 and has two more years to play at this level so it's great that Brett is looking at him already. I can also tell you that he will not be the only player who will catch the eye. We've some great youngsters in the youth team and we can't wait to get started."

Faversham take on Lewisham at 7.30pm in their first game of a pre-season that could see them take part in a round-robin tournament with Canterbury City, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

Faversham Town Youth's only other pre-season friendly is at home to Lordswood on Sunday, 6 August (kick-off 11am) and Turner added: "I will know more about the tournament later this week but that would be great experience for our boys.

"Everything is going well right now and a good performance against Lewisham will keep the ball rolling nicely."

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk