Best is yet to come says Swans youth team boss

May 11 2009 By Sam Elliott

STAINES TOWN’S future is in good hands after their under-18s team sealed the Ryman Youth League to go alongside the first team’s silverware.

The fledgling Swans were honoured at the club’s end of season annual presentation night – and the man in charge reckons there is much more still to come.

It came after they defeated AFC Wimbledon 3-2 in the winner-takes-all season finale at Kingsmeadow last Thursday.

Manager Martyn Spong thinks his team of teens’ success bodes well for the future – and tipped some of his squad to make the step next season with Staines into the Blue Square South.

He says first team boss Steve Cordery should look no further than what the club already has on offer.

Spong said: “The lads have had a fantastic season. They have come on brilliantly and the club is in a position of great strength now.

“Steve Cordery is already looking on with interest and I certainly think we have lads that can step up and be part of things.

“James King and our goalkeeper Danny Sonner have both caught the eye, and Alfie Arthur and Aaron Gilbert will be excellent again once they have recovered from their metatarsal injuries.

“Without a doubt the club has a cracking future and the success the whole club has enjoyed this season emphasises the strides forward Staines Town are making.”

Chairman Alan Boon was thrilled by the youth team’s win over Wimbledon and expects to be seeing more of the under-18 crop in the years ahead.

He said: “I was actually otherwise engaged on the day they won the division but I was being kept posted the whole way through.

“What a fantastic achievement. To come out on top in a league against clubs like Wimbledon, Woking, Kingstonian and Woking shows what a bright future there is for the football club.”

The Players’ player and Supporters player of the year accolades went to Danny Gordon on the night with manager Cordery and number two Craig Maskell landing the Outstanding Achievement award.