New Under 23 Manager Chris Allen has been talking to iFollow about his new role at the club.
Chris knows exactly what it takes to make the transition from the Youth Team to the First Team, having made that journey himself as a youngster.
“It was very different back then” he said “You would step up from the youth team into the reserves, who played in a league, and then you would be up against senior pros trying to get back into the first team and who were obviously that bit older and stronger.
"It was a great schooling and what we want to do with the under 23s is make sure it is competitive and that they take something away from each game. That’s why we will sometimes be playing against Category 1 Academies, some of the best youngsters in the country, but also playing against non-league sides so you get experience of all types of football.
“It’s something I care deeply about, getting players to improve and through in to the first team. Dan Harris and the Academy are doing great things and this is another excellent development, one I’m really excited about.
“We have the core of the side but it also gives the youth team a chance to play with senior players regularly, and of course if players are coming back from injury in the first team we can schedule games to help them. The games will usually be at the training ground and having those new facilities is also going to be a massive help.
“The aim is simple; to help those players develop not just as players but as young men, and help produce players who go on to play for the club for many years to come.”
See the full interview in iFollow above.