Ademeno goes to Crawley; Ricky on why he can handle the reserves

Last updated : 28 May 2009 By tlgnews

Striker Charles Ademeno, who was released by the Blues at the end of the season, has signed for Blue Square Premier team Crawley Town.

Many felt he was the best of the crop of youngsters to be let go TLG wishes him the best of luck at his new club.

Ricky Duncan, the head of youth who helped nurture Charles's talent, has spoken to the official site about his confirmed position as the club's reserve team boss as well.

"As we take steps closer towards academy status, my continuation as joint reserve team and youth team manager provides the youth team with the opportunity to work closer with first team players and this will hopefully make their transition from a junior to senior level as easy as possible."

Ricky has of course seen players such as Franck Moussa, Johnny Herd and Stuart O'Keefe step from youth team level, into the reserves, and finally all make first team debuts. Now others can take advantage with just one man to report to.

He continued: "The benefits of this are obvious —the youngsters will learn from experienced professionals at the club as well as being able to physically see the benchmarked level required to break into our first team. Personally, for me it is an opportunity to improve myself as a coach. It's a new challenge which I will thrive on although I don't see this as anything but an expansion of the youth-to-senior set-up at the club."

However the youth team would continue to be his priority.

"The development of youth at this club is always at the forefront of my thinking and this hasn't changed. The main beneficiaries of this change in structure will be the under 18s as they will learn far more of the skills required to make it, skills they would not learn otherwise. An example of this is the physicality of professional football which can only be taught in a playing environment and going up against adults week in, week out.

"This will only enhance this side of their game and give them the advantage going into their youth matches on a Saturday morning."