A new Sunday youth side will be started by Kenilworth Wardens Football Club next season as they look to provide a 'vitally important' path for young players into men's football.

Under the management of Paddy Breslin, the Wardens' under 18's will begin next season in the Leamington and District Sunday Football League, giving young players vital experience in men's football.

The idea being that the step between junior and men's football will be eased as young players are given the chance to prove themselves playing at a higher standard.

Speaking to Nub News, club chairman Andy Whitehouse said: "When we restarted this project two years ago, our primary goal was to bring sustainability to men's grassroots football at Kenilworth Wardens.

"Following the relative success of our first and reserve sides, this is the next big step in achieving that goal. It is vitally important that there is a natural progression and a clear pathway for youth players to join the men's teams."

Following a three year hiatus, senior football returned to Glasshouse Lane for the 2018/19 season, with the men's first team entering the Coventry Alliance Saturday league.

Since then the first team has enjoyed back to back promotions, and was sat mid table in division two when the 2020/21 season was curtailed. The side also lifted its first piece of silverware in 2019, winning the Benevolent Cup after a 4-0 win over Bedworth Rangers.

The reserve side was started for the 2019/20 season, again being promoted at the end of their first season.

With a viable structure fixed for the adult game, it is now time to put plans in place to keep that success going.

First team manager Eamonn Richards said: "One of the main reasons that the team folded in the first place was because there was a lack of growth in players.

"Basically we had the same group of lads playing each week, but as everyone was getting older they had other commitments or were moving away, and we had no transition to keep new generations coming through.

"This new youth side will hopefully prevent that from happening again."

The announcement of the new youth team also coincides with a management reshuffle within the senior setup.

Reserve team manager Ashley Clarke will now take on the assistant manager role with the first team, whilst Tom Perrin will take his place in charge of the reserves.

"Ash is great," says Richards, "he and I see football very differently which is a real positive. There are situations where he has different ideas to me, he is far more attacking focused than I am, whereas I am more about structure and defence, so that balance will work really well."

The club also continues to make long-term plans for development to hopefully one day progress into non-league football.

If you are interested in playing football with the Wardens, then please contact Eamonn Richards on 07940 906204.

Kenilworth Wardens are also interested in talking to potential club sponsors - please contact Andy Whitehouse on 07471 730946.

Kenilworth Wardens are sponsored by LPC Sports Therapy and Yoga.

Lead-therapist Lily is a Level Four qualified sports massage therapist and yoga Practitioner, specialising in anxiety support.

Lily is trained to diagnose injuries, rehabilitate, and is fully recommended by players of Kenilworth Wardens.