Category upgrade is 'game changer' says Connell

The club this week learned its academy had been successfully reassigned following an audit by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company.

An improved games programme will see Connell’s development squad compete in the Professional Development League this season as well as the Premier League Cup.

Connell has spent eight years working in the club’s academy, starting out as a part-time coach in 2015 before leading the under-18s and being promoted to his current role in January 2023.

He has helped nurture a host of players who have featured for the first team including the likes of Jaidon Anthony, Gavin Kilkenny, Will Dennis, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Owen Bevan, Daniel Adu-Adjei and Michael Dacosta Gonzalez.

Connell told afcb.co.uk: “This is what everyone has been working towards ever since I have been here.

“Joe Roach was a big driving force behind it and so have many other people. It starts at the top with the owners and the board and so many different people deserve great credit.

“To get it over the line is monumental for the football club, the people who work in the academy and, most importantly, for the players.

“To be the development squad manager going into our first league campaign with the teams we’re going to be playing against is a game changer.

“There has been an element of frustration in previous years at not having a league programme. You are constantly chasing friendlies and that can be difficult.

“To have a settled and regular programme of fixtures is only going to aid the development of our players moving forward.

“We’re going young this season with predominantly an under-19 team which might mean we take some short-term hits. But in the long term, we’re going to be in a much better place for it.

“With a new training ground on the horizon, moving up to category two is for all the people who have worked so hard for years to make our academy what it is today.

“It’s a big moment and really exciting for everyone. We’ve got to make sure we continue to push the standards and raise them.

“We need to continue to produce good people and good players who, hopefully, go on to play in our first team.”

The development squad, 2-1 winners at Poole Town in their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday, continue their preparations when they meet Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Picture courtesy of Ian Middlebrook

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