LeagueThe Shrimpers' Head of Youth Ricky Duncan is now entering the sixth season of his second period in the job, having presided over the development of first-team players Johnny Herd, Franck Moussa, Stuart O'Keefe and Harry Crawford.
And the former Cambridge United coach is now looking forward to working with a new first-team management team in the guise of Paul Sturrock and Tommy Widdrington: "I've had the opportunity to sit down and have a couple of chats with Paul already, and I've also spoken to the chairman, and they both believe in youth development," Duncan says.
"It's now up to me to make sure that the players that we bring through are up to the standard that is required for the first-team. I can see that Paul is going to be supportive of the set-up as he has already spoken to the lads on the training ground and, as we get to know each other even more, I'm sure that we keep developing youngsters."
After a brief stint as reserve-team coach, Duncan is now able to focus solely on the Youth Department at Boots & Laces, with Graham Coughlan the new player/coach for the second-string: "It was a tough time for everyone at the end of last season, and on occasions the young players were playing three times a week," he reveals.
The full interview, including names Ricky believes we could be seeing in a first team shirt of the future, can be found by clicking here.
For the Shrimpers Trust's own and very comprehensive youth section, go here: www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/home.asp?page_id=10