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Reserve team to progress promising players

The new coach of the reserves, Paul Barry, has been been around a bit in his coaching career. Paul's first position was at Uxbridge reserves, and managed to help propel the team into the Suburban League Premier Division. After this, he went to coach Camberley Town and ended up as first team manager for a few seasons, the club being in the Combined Counties League at the time. After deciding to cut down on his travelling, he assisted North Greenford Utd for a short while before the Beavers came calling.

Rob:  How did you end up taking on the job as reserve team manager?

Paul:  Andy Smith got in touch when Mark took over the first team and mentioned there was an opening on the reserves and would I be interested?  So I went down the club last Saturday and met them and its all good.

R:  The reserves under Mark himself achieved promotion a couple of years ago. Is this something you'd be looking to do, put a successful reserve team together?

P:  Speaking to Mark & Andy last weekend, they want to use the reserves to progress promising players from the youth team and the Academy to the first team. Hopefully we can get a number of players to come through that route, and so we can make a successful side, with players wanting to get into the first team.

R:  I know you haven't a squad of players yet, but you must have hopes of one or two being ready for the first team pretty soon from last seasons reserve squad?

P:  Yes, I've spoken to Andy and the guys and they've mentioned a few players from last season who've already signed on for this season, and some of the players coming up from the youth team, 18 year olds, coming in with me will be ready for the first team soon. Should be good.

R:  Given the young players coming up from the reserves who've established themselves in the first team in recent seasons, there's a real chance it could be a young first team squad.

P:  Yes, Harps himself has said, "If they're good enough, they're old enough."


Thanks to Paul for sparing 5 minutes of his time for a brief chat, and let's hope the reserves can be the basis of future success for the Beavers.