Southend United’s Head of Youth Ricky Duncan will stay in charge of the Blue’s second string as well as the Youth team next season.
Boss Steve Tilson confirmed earlier this week that the current arrangement will be staying in place,
“Ricky took control of the Reserves toward the end of last season and he will be doing it again next year. We know what he’s all about, Ricky has done a great job with the Youth team and this enables him to carry on working with our younger players at a different level.”
Duncan has helped bring through a series of youngsters for the Shrimpers, including the likes of Franck Moussa and Johnny Herd.
Now those wanting to follow in their footsteps will have the perfect opportunity to impress and improve.
He said:
“As we take steps towards academy status, my continuation as a 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 the transition from a junior to senior level as easy as possible.”
“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.”
However, Duncan was also keen to stress that the Youth players would remain his priority.
“The development of youth at this club is always at the forefront of my thinking and this hasn’t changed,” he said.
“The main beneficiaries of this change in structure will be the under 18’s as they will learn far more of the skills required to make it, skills they would not learn otherwise. This will only enhance this side of their game and give them the advantage going into their Youth matches on a Saturday morning.”
