Pocklington Town's Under 19s team will have a new manager for the new season in the Northern U19 Alliance Football League. Former Guiseley, Whitby Town and Goole player Kevin Graham has been appointed as the team's new manager, replacing Ian Fletcher who is leaving the country to work abroad.

 

Graham is also the national team manager for Guernsey, where he grew up before moving to study in York and play non league football for clubs in the north of England.

 

"I have done a little bit of coaching with the club's Humber Premier League  side and so know a number of the people involved in the running of the football club already. It's a fantastic set up with great facilities and I hope that I will be able to help attract more players from the surrounding area to the club", Graham remarked.

 

The new manager continued, "My work commitments and role with the Guernsey national side mean that I'm unable to take up a role with a senior side. The U19s' schedule fits perfectly with my other commitments. The league we play in includes the likes of Harrogate Railway, Goole AFC and Scarborough Athletic, and gives our boys some excellent exposure in terms of a competitive schedule. We'll look to provide our boys with some great development opportunities both as individuals and as a group - the club already has a reputation for producing good young players and I hope to build on that".

 

Graham has brought former York City, Gainsborough Trinity and Pickering player Elliott Simpson with him as a coach. "Elliott has great experience in the game and is going to be a very positive influence on the lads both in terms of technical development and understanding of the game".

 

The pre-season schedule kicks off with training on Monday July 1^st, and the team have a pre-season fixture organised against York City's youth team on Monday 8^th July.

 

As for Graham's goals for the new campaign, he stated - "we just want to take a group of young lads who are keen to learn and improve them both as individuals and as a team. If we can do that, we'll get more people interested in what the club has to offer and the fortunes of not just the U19s, but the club as a whole."

 

Graham has a young squad already but is also hoping to attract more players from the surrounding areas. Anyone interested can ring Kevin Graham on 07911 798123.