Young Shots Can Have A Huge Part To Play Says Searle

With five points in five games, Aldershot Town's Danny Searle might not be the happiest boss in the league.

But, as he explains, considering the Shots were planning for a season in the league below when he first arrived, they're doing alright.

"When people say it’s not the start we would’ve wanted, I think it’s a bit harsh," he said.

"We’ve played five of the top six, four of which will back themselves to go up this season, so when you’re talking about a club that theoretically shouldn’t be in the league, performance wise we’re actually pleased with what we’ve done.

"I said in my first press conference that it was about patience," he added. "There aren’t many clubs who can put 17 players who don’t know each other together and expect them to hit the ground running and perform.

"But we’ve been pleased with the performances and we’re making good progress."

Whilst at Braintree Town, Searle was widely praised for his focus on the club's young players.

The Iron broke the record for the youngest National League player twice last season.

This week, the National League introduced a new Football Academy with the aim of it's members developing homegrown talent.

It's all in a day's work for the ex-Chelsea and West Ham youth coach - and he's ready to find the stars of Aldershot's future.

"It’s a fantastic initiative from the league," Searle said. "From my perspective, it’s good to know the young players are playing against teams of a similar level.

"I work closely with Ross [McNeilly] the academy manager. We speak two or three times a week and one of the things I make sure I get from him on a regular basis is an update from the players that are doing well so we can watch them and invite them into training.

"I’m massive on developing young players," he continued. "We’ve had at least three academy boys train with us every day since we’ve been back from pre-season.

"Would I say they’re ready at this minute in time? Probably not.

"But the long-term plan is to have a sustained productivity through our own club of homegrown players.

"Aldershot is a massive club and it’s a fantastic town. The passion for this club is unbelievable so to have a local lad play for your first team is something to be really proud of.

"That’s the vision and the goal, to have a core of players that you’ve developed yourself. It really galvanises a club from top to bottom."

Searle takes his Shots to Plainmoor on Saturday for a game that will be shown live on BT Sport.

With all eyes on the National League once again, he's hoping to put on a spectacle for the cameras.

He said: "I think it’ll be a good game. They’re not so dissimilar to us because they like to try and get the ball down and play, so the fans are in for an entertaining game."