Mr Paul Bowden-Brown – Chairman of BOSTIK League South side Thamesmead Town FC has announced a partnership agreement with Welling Youth.

The partnership will see five teams (aged U13 to U18 inclusive) representing the Mead in the Kent Youth League from the new season in September.

Mr Bowden Brown said, “The club previously had a large youth section when I took over – sadly they decided to join forces with the then newly formed – Sporting Club Thamesmead FC.”

“Having already rebuilt the youth structure at Maidstone United when I was Chairman, I knew that for the Mead to function to its full potential, a youth section was much needed for professional and structural reasons.”

“Therefore, I am delighted to announce that after lengthy discussions with Louis Dean of Welling Youth, we have formed a partnership that will not only see the five sides joining the Club, but they will also be setting up our Post 16 Football Academy, together with forming a new Thamesmead Town U23 team who will play under the watchful eye of our first team manager Tom Warrilow.”

“The partnership will give our club more structure and a larger fan base with our young players and their parents being invited to watch the First Team on a regular basis. More importantly, it will provide a constant flow of young talented players with a thirst to represent our first team in the coming seasons.”

“Welling Youth have a very good reputation within the Kent area and beyond and I’m sure this arrangement will grow in strength – I’m delighted; I want this club to be a community-based club, with a thriving first team, and this is a great step towards that…”

Louis Dean of Welling Youth said: “I’m very pleased that we have this partnership in place and I look forward to working with Paul and Tommy.”

“It allows our already established elite players a clear pathway into an elevated level of first team football and gives us a chance to develop fully the technical, psychological, physical, and social aspects that is needed to perform at this level and beyond, something that the Football Association are constantly endorsing.”

“This partnership also allows Boys who may not make the grade at professional Club academies, to have a realistic chance to play at a young age in the Bostik League at Thamesmead Town.”