A New Season, New Opportunities
The new Kent Youth League season kicks off on Sunday, 6th September, bringing fresh optimism, new challenges and plenty of excitement across the Tonbridge Angels youth pathway.
While the first competitive ball is still to be kicked, the work towards the new campaign has been underway for some time. New players, new divisions and fresh targets have provided an exciting pre-season, with coaches and players working hard to ensure all four KYL squads are ready for the challenges ahead.
As a new season begins, we also say farewell to members of last season’s U16 KYL Central title-winning squad. Five players from that group remain with the club as they progress into the next stage of our pathway, while others have moved on to new opportunities and we wish them every success in the next chapter of their football journey.
A New U13 Generation
This season also sees us welcome our new U13 KYL squad, marking the first year of our transition with junior club partners Pure Football Academy.
The squad is made up largely of players who represented Pure FC last season, alongside talented local players from other grassroots clubs who have chosen Tonbridge Angels as the next step in their development.
At U13, the Kent Youth League is split geographically, with teams competing within regional divisions before the league structure changes at U14. Our new U13s will begin in the KYL South Division, with the ambition of finishing strongly enough to retain South Division status for the following campaign.
Under the new FA youth football changes, the group will also remain at 9v9, rather than making the traditional immediate transition into 11v11 football. Results will naturally matter, but this season is equally about learning, developing and understanding the demands of KYL football.
U14s Ready for a Competitive South Division
Our U14s finished last season in excellent form and have earned their opportunity to compete in what looks an extremely competitive South Division, with the likes of Hollands & Blair, Dover Athletic and Deal Town expected to be among the leading sides.
The Angels were one of the league’s form teams after Christmas last season, and with some exciting additions strengthening the group over the summer, they will be looking to carry that momentum into the new campaign.
U15s Step Up After Title Success
Last season’s U14 Central Division champions now step up to U15 level and earn promotion into the North Division, which was won by Bromley last season.
Pre-season has provided plenty of encouragement. The group have started strongly, producing some excellent attacking football and plenty of goals. With several standout additions complementing an already talented squad, there is plenty to be excited about heading into a big season for the U15s.
U16s – Development Beyond Results
Our highly successful U15 side from last season now lead the pathway as our new U16 squad, competing once again in the South Division they won last season.
Retaining the title will naturally be a target, although the summer has brought change. Four key players have moved on through professional club opportunities, trials and opportunities closer to home, creating the need for a small rebuild to refresh and strengthen the squad.
There has also been a change in management. We thank departing manager James Ward for his contribution to the club, with former assistant Phil Cramp now taking the reins.
The U16s have enjoyed an excellent pre-season, but perhaps the most exciting measure of their progress has been the opportunities created further up the pathway. Ten players have already earned opportunities within our U18 and U19 squads, while the entire group has been given access to daytime Academy training throughout the summer.
To Inspire, To Educate and To Develop*
Head of Youth Football Dom Welsh said: “The youth set-up at the club continues to grow. From around 60 players representing Pure FC from U7 to U12 at the stadium each week, to the 64 players we will register across our KYL squads and a pool of more than 50 players representing the club at U18 and Academy level, we now have nearly 175 young players representing what we stand for as a football club and it is our responsibility to develop them as people as well as players, and that will always be rooted deeply within our culture – to inspire, to educate and to develop.”
