September was the start of all our league fixtures across the Academy teams and the first opportunity to get the boys into teams.

All three teams have started really well and there have been some impressive individual and team performances across the board.

The main focus for us is The Whites and we have started very strongly with three wins and a draw in September. Around 80 per cent of the side is new to playing in the division and it’s a division getting stronger every year. So, we’ve been very pleased with how we started.

Probably the best part of the month as managers and coaches was watching the majority of The Whites play for the senior team in the cup at Erith. That’s what we are here to do, help them get opportunities in the first team and that’s something happening more and more regularly.

The boys played really well and took a senior team – only a division below – to penalties. A few were devastated to miss their pens, but I’ve been there and it will make them stronger and help build their character. They did the Club proud and it was a great learning experience.