GARRY Hill is backing Weymouth’s young guns to make a big impact at the Wessex Stadium.
The Terras boss reckons teenagers Ross Carmichael, Chris Skinner and Callum Ross-Jennins could break through into his first team squad over the coming months.
And Hill hopes more home-grown talent will come through the ranks as the club prepares to move full-time this summer.
He said: “It’s important for football clubs to develop their own players and we’re lucky at Weymouth to have a tremendous youth structure and community set-up.
“One of the key things I want to do at the club is work with our under-18’s manager Paul Hammond and reserve boss Dave Kiteley to try and nurture the talent we have in our ranks.
“There’s no doubt we already have some lads at the club who could go on to become top players for this club if they stick at it.
“Games like at Portland in the Sammy McGowan Cup the other night gives me the chance to put some of the young lads in with the first team and see how they cope.
“I did that with Ross Carmichael and Chris Skinner at Portland and I must say I was pleased and impressed with them.
“They have got good futures with the club, as have others such as Callum Ross-Jennins who has been promising in the under-18 games I’ve seen.”
Hill added: “With us moving full-time there will be more scope for the youngsters to progress but it’ll be up to them to take the opportunity when it comes along.”
Reserve boss Kiteley is another backing Carmichael, Skinner and Ross-Jennins to make a breakthrough.
“The lads have done tremendously under Paul Hammond this season in the South West Counties League playing decent sides like Aldershot, Bath and Basingstoke,” he said.
“There is a lot of talent at the club and the fact lads like Ross, Chris and Callum have not looked out of place playing experienced league sides for our reserves says a lot.
“But there are also a few more lads who can make the step up in the coming years, people like Scott Dixon and Ryan Middleton, and I’m sure the club will do everything possible to help make that happen.”
