17 year old's rewarded

1st team manager Steve Heath has rewarded two Under 18 Floodlit team players places in his squad for the forthcoming season, as they have both signed Southern League forms. 

As the club gear up for their first season at step 4, AFC make the trip to Uxbridge on Saturday. It will be a historic time for the club, as they will be playing in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central for the first time.

The players in question are Jake Kissiedu and Joe Hankins. Heath said " Jake came on the radar at the end of last season as he made a couple of appearances. Injury though ruled him out for the final games. I have kept and eye on him in the close season and he seems to have overcome his problem"

On Hankins Heath said " Joe was Jake's striking partner last season in the Under 18's and scored over 20 goals for the team that won the Floodlit League. I drafted him in for the pre season friendlies and I have been really impressed with his attitude and application and fully deserves a 1st team call up" he continued " you have to be careful with lads at such a young age that they do not burn themselves out too early, as all they want to do is play football. Monitoring their minutes on the pitch is very important, as they will still be playing for either our Under 18 or 21 teams this season and also their colleges. It gives lads in our 18's and 21's to strive to follow Jake and Joe's example and break into my squad, as I have now signed them both on 1st team forms with the Southern League"