KIT’S LEARNING A NEW ROLE
NEWLY qualified primary schoolteacher Kit Brown is hoping life is going to be as easy as ABC for Hertford Town next season.
The Blues sat a lowly 16th out of 20 clubs in the BetVictor Isthmian South Central Division when the coronavirus outbreak brought play prematurely to a halt.
But right-winger Brown believes the young squad will bloom next term after getting plenty of experience under their belt this season.
“The manager Ben Herd was a professional in the past and he’s got a real thing about implementing youth into Hertford,” explained Brown.
“That’s what he’s modelling the club around. I’m 21 and I’m already one of the oldest in the group!
“One of Ben’s strong points is the extras he does off the pitch to watch other teams and find out about their strengths and weaknesses.
“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes and there’s been a change in the quality of the team we’ve got now compared to the start of the season. It’s more settled and we feel more confident.
Confidence
“It’s getting that experience so that we can push up the league next season.”
Brown is keen to continue his development at Hertford. He was a teenager on the books of Stevenage and Luton before dropping into NonLeague with Ware and making his debut at just 16.
A further stop followed at London Colney before he linked up with the Blues this term.
“Personally, the season’s been up and down,” he admitted. “We had a new team put together, with a lot of youngsters, and it was hard to find my feet.
“I also had a thigh strain which kept me out for a number of weeks. I was just starting to get my confidence back when the season stopped.
“However, just getting regular football has been unbelievable and I feel happy here. I’m definitely aiming higher, but playing regular games at a really good level is important and Hertford is a great club.
“I’m taking it in my stride and I’m really enjoying it.”
Brown has also had to take getting his teaching qualifications in his stride over the last few years – and combining that with his football.
Chapter
“It’s been stressful,” he admitted, “but I was never going to stop playing football when I started teaching. It’s been difficult, but I’ve found the balance and I’m grateful I’ve been able to do that.
“I’m in my last year now and my placement school offered me a job – I was very lucky.”
It means there is plenty for Brown to look forward to when the country comes out of the current lockdown. “I’ll be starting work as a primary schoolteacher in September and I can’t wait,” he added.
“It feels like a new chapter in my life.
“I’m also playing regular football at a good standard and I’ve got a good opportunity to move up the league and do something in my career.
“I’m putting time in on the training pitch and doing some stuff now, and I’ve got plenty of teaching work to do, too.
“I’m reading up on the curriculum and what I need to teach, and I have to think about preparing my classroom. I’ve still got university assignments to do, too, so there’s plenty going on.”