Boss keen to work closely with the next generation…
By Matty Paddock - 02/07/2025
Posted 3 months ago
PRE-SEASON training is into its first full week at COSE– and it’s not just senior players making an impression.
A group of Academy prospects have been given the opportunity to train with the First Team, as boss Adam Murray underlined his belief in developing players from within the club’s existing pathway.
Daniel Broni-Phillips, Natty Hewett, Archie Hill, Liam Banks and Bruce Minaker have all stepped up to join the senior group in training, with Murray keen to build on the momentum of a successful summer recruitment campaign by backing youth alongside experience.
“I want to give some of the younger guys a chance to impress and come train with us,” he explained. “I’ve sat with the Academy Manager and gone through a lot of their clips from last season – there’s a few in there that excite me.”
Murray has spoken previously about the need for clubs at National League level to develop their own ‘assets’ – young players who can grow within the environment and potentially deliver long-term value both on the pitch and in the market.
“One thing this club hasn’t had for a while is assets in the ranks – young boys that you look at, whether you took them from non-league or you took them from your own academy or they’ve been released from academies,” he added. “I love the process of working with people and making them better.”
Reflecting on his record of helping players progress to higher levels, Murray said: “Last season we managed to get three into the Football League, and we managed to get another two into the National League. The season before, when I was at Fylde, we got two into the Football League.
“You have to have that as a non-league club – you have to have that asset or two assets, three assets that you can look at, for the fans and for the club, that you’re going to grow within. And ultimately it’s going to be a good bit of business for you.”
The early signs from the opening days of training have left the gaffer optimistic that the balance of the squad is taking shape – with both youth and senior players showing the right blend.
“There’ll be a couple more coming into that bracket that we can work with and push on,” he said. “But I’m happy with the balance we’ve got in the squad this season in terms of experience and youth.
“The squad last season I thought was really strong, but for me it was pushing the older end of the age scale. I do like to have a group within that experience of younger players as well – and I think we’ve got that.
“Even watching it over the first couple of days, the way the dynamics are working – I’m really comfortable, because the experienced boys that we have got in – people like Tunny, Diggs, Digger, Amari – they’re top, top pros and top, top people.
“The balance is working nice.”
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This article is about: Management, Player News
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