New Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh is looking to homegrown talent to build a successful future for the Ryman Premier club.

The New Lodge boss now has his backroom team in place and has emphasised the importance of developing the club's own players.

And the man charged with bringing Edinburgh's dream to fruition is former Bowers United boss Tony Cross.

He has been appointed with special responsibility for the reserves, who will continue to play in the Capital League, and the youth set-up.

Town's youngsters will play in the Eastern Junior Alliance and ex-Spurs star Edinburgh insisted: "With the current financial situation in football, bringing through your own players is vital at all levels of the game.

"We'll be looking to discover young local talent with the aim of developing youngsters through to the first team at a later date."

Edinburgh, who appointed ex-Tottenham team-mate Andy Polston as his number two at the weekend, is entering his second week since taking over the Ryman Premier club's hotseat from Gary Calder.

And he admitted: "The more involved I get, the more exciting I find it. I'm really looking forward to the task facing us here."

Edinburgh admitted that the club were starting behind many sides in the business of pre-season friendlies as some had lined-up games before he was appointed.

But a date with Third Division Leyton Orient is already on the cards and possible dates with other Football League clubs plus non-league outfits from various levels of the pyramid were also on the cards.

Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003

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