Bristol Post

Clevedon looking to extend record run in FA Youth Cup

- Richard LATHAM postsport@b-nm.co.uk

CLEVEDON Town Under-18s aim to write a new chapter in the club’s history book for the second successive season on Monday night.

They entertain Sutton United in the second round proper of the FA Youth Cup, having already progressed further in the competitio­n than any past Clevedon side.

Last season the team, coached by 24-year-old Alex White, reached the first round before bowing out, a club record at the time.

Twelve months on, they have already gone one better, beating Bath City, Bridgwater Town, AFC Brockenhur­st and Aldershot to reach the second round.

It is an outstandin­g achievemen­t for a Toolstatio­n League club and White is hoping supporters turn out in force for the Sutton game.

He said: “In a way we have nothing to lose because the lads have been brilliant in the competitio­n to get this far.

“But if we beat Sutton we could draw a Premier League youth team in the third round, so there is a big prize at stake.”

One of the stars of the cup run has been 16-year-old winger Jack Sell, from Nailsea, who has already attracted the attention of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers.

He was one of five Under-18s in the Clevedon first team who thrashed Bridport 4-0 in the Les Phillips Cup on Wednesday night.

Manager Mickey Bell, the former Bristol City defender, has put together a side packed with young local talent.

“Last season there were a total of 162 appearance­s by Under-18s in the first team, which is incredible,” said White.

“There could be even more this season. We aim to be the envy of South West clubs as somewhere youngsters want to come to get a step into semi-profession­al football.”

The Sutton game kicks off at 7.45pm. Admission is £3 for adults and £1 concession­s.

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