Sheppey United chairman Tony Hughes was delighted to see starts for youth players Harrison McCall and Davey Johnson as their Isthmian South East campaign ended on a high at East Grinstead

Sheppey United handed starts to two homegrown players on Saturday and the path to the first team is set to be enhanced further next season.

K Sports’ move to Holm Park will make for a smoother transition from the youth set-up to first team for the likes of Harrison McCall and Davey Johnson, who both played full games for the Isthmian South East side at East Grinstead on Saturday. The duo were making their first starts for the senior side.

The rebranding of Southern Counties East Division 1 side K Sports, who play at step six in the National League System, to Sheppey Sports next season is another big plus for the club’s youth set-up, according to Sheppey chairman Tony Hughes.

“We feel the gap between our under-23s and first team is a big step but putting that step six in there helps the players and hopefully will attract more of them to the club as well,” he said.

“It gives those players a very good pathway. If you are good enough it gives you the opportunity to go onto each step.

“You have to produce your own players and that helps attract the crowds as well because people know them personally.

“The week before, at home, the manager brought a couple of the youngsters on (from the bench) and that was really good to see, and then to see them start was absolutely brilliant.

“We are trying to tell everybody there is a pathway from the youth and that shows that it does work and you can move through to the first team.”

K Sports staved off the threat of relegation in SCEFL Division 1 and had a host of Sheppey players featuring for them at the weekend, in a 1-1 draw with Staplehurst Monarchs, including captain Richie Hamill, midfielder Connor Wilkins and striker Dan Bradshaw.

The Ites are currently seeking a head of youth, a