BILLERICAY Town manager Craig Edwards says the continuation of the Under-21 side is a huge boost to the football club.

The youth team had been scrapped due to a lack of funds at New Lodge but an anonymous backer has since come forward and agreed to sponsor the Under-21s for the forthcoming season.

The development team was a huge success last year, winning the Ryman One North Under-21 league before being edged out on penalties in the Play-Off final against Worthing.

And Edwards has backed the young side to go from strength-to-strength, after a host of youngsters impressed at both youth and first-team level last term.

“It was such a success last year and it perfectly supplemented the first team so I am absolutely delighted,” said Edwards. “It does cost money and we were set to lose it but it would have been a backwards step.

“We didn’t have a choice but I am very pleased someone has agreed to sponsor us and we will be the stronger for it.

“We develop players well. Young players want to play football so having the Under-21s is crucial. We give them a chance to bridge the gap and it is our forte.

“If they are an unearthed gem they are under-21 they need a platform to build from and we can offer that.

“We had a very good season last year and the players came on leaps and bounds and I believe that will be the case again next season.”

The sponsor, who wishes to remain nameless, has agreed to cover the costs of the season registration and officials for the new season.

Edwards, along with first team aides Alex Fiddes and Kevin Ramsay, led the Under-21 team last year although it will be a new management set-up next campaign.

Under-16 team coaches Mick Jacobs, Kerry Clarke and Marc Massey will lead the side on match days, with Edwards still running the rule over the young players.

And he said the new management team was a strong one.

“Mick Jacobs, Kerry Clarke and Marc Massey did well with the Under-16s and it is a natural progression for them,” he said. “I will still run it and oversee it all but we will all work closely and they have a great eye for talent.

“I am looking forward to seeing the team continue to succeed.”