A very busy pre-season at the Bay, building OUR future with the under 23s, producing some great results, all pre-season, against men's teams. We have more players going out on loan week-on-week, which we believe is crucial for the development of this group of lads working towards our first team in the future.

Monty Saunders, of course, is now into our first team after coming through the academy ranks and having a small spell out in the SCEFL Division 1 at Canterbury City FC last season. He gained a lot of experience under coach and ex-Bay midfielder, Daniel Lawrence. Monty is now knocking on then door for a starting place, after making his league debut vs Littlehampton Town FC at the weekend. He becomes the fourth under 20s player in the Herne Bay First Team matchday squad.

Five more academy players are currently training with the first team. These players include Carter Willson (17-year-old goalkeeper), Jack Hillier (17-year-old fullback), Fenn Roberts (17-year-old centre-back), Oskar Walters (17-year-old centre-midfielder), and Finn Turner (17-year-old fullback).

LOANEES

Our 17-year-old winger, Sonnie Hemmings, is currently out on loan at SCEFL side, Kennington FC. He has completed a total of 260 minutes for the Step 5 side, and featured in the teams 2-2 away draw vs Faversham Town on Tuesday. Sonnie's came on in the 61st minute to help his side snatch a point from last years runners-up.

A familiar face to the Bay first team during our 2023/24 season, Sam Wright, also joined Kennington FC on Saturday 10th August after finishing his pre-season with the Bay first team. After joining on loan, the 19-year-old striker got straight into things, playing 30 minutes from the bench and ultimately starting against Faversham Town on Tuesday.

There are three more academy prospects to be announced as loanees at Step 5 clubs over the next weekend, so be sure to keep you eyes peeled!

Bridon Ropes welcomed exciting, young forward, Samuel Sarpong. The forward impressed locals during pre-season after picking up a brace in his opening pre-season game vs Hollands & Blair. He opened his goalscoring for the Charlton based team, after appearing for 60 minutes on his debut. His goal sealed the victory away to Welling Town. Samuel was interviewed after the game and said, "Take the momentum from this great win today. Put that into next weeks game and hopefully we see a win." It's great to see a Bay academy player in the limelight for his new team already!

Walking in Monty's steps, getting gametime at local SCEFL Division 1 side, Canterbury City, is Jamie Obianigwe. The young midfielder had a great pre-season at City but has unfortunately picked up a groin injury before the first game of the season. It looks like it will not sideline the youngster for too long and we hope to see him back in the next week or so.

We have another two prospects training with Step 6 teams this week, be sure to stay tuned for any updates.

Kent County Football League side, Ramsgate Athletic, have secured the loan signing of 17-year-old, Jamie Lartice. The winger has had a great pre-season with The Steamers and is looking forward to a promising year with plenty of minutes in the men's game.

At just 16 years of age, Luca Beal has begun his men's career with a loan spell at Kent County Division 1 team, Chilham Sports. He opened his account during pre-season, with a second half hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Fortuna Swans. A star in the making!

Another 16-year-old, Jude Sutton, has also gone on loan to Step 8 side, Chilham Sports. The centre-back is looking to gain some valuable minutes during the 2024/25 season and looks to have a very promising future ahead.

It's all about the 16-year-olds, as Harley Diaper goes out on loan to Sevenoaks based, Otford United. The winger has featured in a couple of the KCFL sides pre-season games and is looking to have a breakthrough season in his first year of men's football.

Fresh out of his last year of under 18s football, Callum Whitaker, has gone out on loan to the Sandwich based team, Woodnesborough FC. The 18-year-old striker had a great start in his first game and looks to feature as part of the squad for their opening KCFL game on Saturday.

Woodnesborough FC have also signed 19-year-old defender, Dillion Barman. He is another who excelled in his opening game for the Reds and is looking forward to featuring in the squad for Saturday's league opener.

There are more announcements expected for youth players going out on loan to Step 7 and 8 teams.