Hereford United shift the focus to youth (From Hereford Times)

Hereford United shift the focus to youth

10:21am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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FORMER Hereford United players Jamie Pitman and Gareth Davies will be discovering the stars of tomorrow.

The duo will be involved in the re-creation of Hereford United’s Centre of Excellence. United lost their Centre of Excellence in 1998.

“I will be having some sort of position and it will be very much helping to develop the coaching,” said Pitman, United’s therapist.

“For a club of our capacity, it’s important to have local talent staying in this area,”

said the former Forest Green assistant-manager. “My priority is the therapist role at the club but I want to try to develop the coaches who will develop the talent to play at this football club.”

United’s Community Trust manager Jamie Edwards says the Bulls want to re-open their Centre of Excellence next summer. They are applying for a licence next week.

Herefordshire FA chief executive Jim Lambert confirmed he will be supporting United’s application.

Edwards said: “The club’s current Football Development Centre in partnership with the Herefordshire FA will be one of the main pathways for players to enter the Centre of Excellence. It is paramount to have an Elite Development Programme. This season the Football Development Centre will run teams from under-8 to under-16 levels.”

Former United and Crystal Palace defender Davies hopes to help as a youth ambassador and coach mentor.

“There has been a window of opportunity missed by Hereford United for a few years and I would like to give something back to the club,”

said Davies, who works in the technical department for the Football Association of Wales.

“There’s an untouched area and the Hereford fans love a local lad making it into the first team.”

Davies played football at Swansea City with United’s boss Simon Davey.

The club want the best locally- based young players to join the Football Development Centre and represent Hereford United.

Trial days for all age groups will be held in August. For details, ring 01432 341065 or e-mail: community trust2@herefordunited.co.uk