Standard of Kent youngsters is "excellent" insists coach

Barry Jeffrey, manager of the Valley Express Kent Youth League under-18 squad, described the standard of players that attended his trials was “excellent”, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent Youth League will be facing their Charlton Athletic counterparts at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground on Wednesday, 22^nd March to mark the Kent Youth League’s 25^th anniversary.

”First of all can I say a massive thank you to all of the players who came along for the “trial” games – the standard was excellent, which of course has made my decision on the selection for the final sixteen man squad even harder,” he said.

”We’ve had over seventy players on trial and having to reduce that down to just the required number of sixteen for the squad has been exceptionally difficult.

“I have also put some players on a “standby” list just in case any of the chosen squad gets injured or become unavailable and I will use one of these to replace them.”

Jeffrey is working hard to make sure supporters know all about his players when they purchase a copy of the matchday programme.

He said: “I also need the forms that I have sent out completed and returned to me.  I have attached an updated version for those players who have not yet done so.

”I also require pen-pics and a photograph of each of the selected players for the programme, so could clubs let me have these by Thursday via email.”

Jeffrey, meanwhile, would like to arrange training sessions before the match.  “We would like to arrange a couple of training sessions with the squad before we take on Charlton Athletic, so if any club can assist us in this please contact me as soon as possible.”

Admission prices are £3.00 (adults) and £2.00 (concessions) and the match gets underway at 7:30pm.

Jeffrey has named the following players in his squad:

Robin Clark
Maidstone United

Stuart Clark
Bearsted

Frank Fabeola
Erith & Belvedere

Lee Farrell
Chatham Town

Junior Farrell
Gravesend & Northfleet

Lewis Finbow
Sheppey United

Andy Foster
Maidstone United

Luke Hasler
Ramsgate

Nathan Jeffreys
Ramsgate

Stuart King
Herne Bay

Luke Mortimer
Chatham Town

Soloman Pinnock
Dulwich Hamlet

Reiss St Hilaire
Dartford

Billy Thurston
Welling United

Lee Warren
West Wickham

Tommy Youles
Dartford


Players that are on standby:

Jimmy Beauchamp
Gravesend & Northfleet

Danny Burke
Thamesmead Town

Steven Baines
Herne Bay

Luke Blanshard
Herne Bay

Max Clerck
Welling United

Adam Fisher
Gravesend & Northfleet

Neil McCourt
Ramsgate

Matt Reeves
Maidstone United