Sheppey United handed starts to two homegrown players on Saturday and the path to the first team is set to be enhanced further next season.

K Sports’ move to Holm Park will make for a smoother transition from the youth set-up to first team for the likes of Harrison McCall and Davey Johnson, who both played full games for the Isthmian South East side at East Grinstead on Saturday. The duo were making their first starts for the senior side.

The rebranding of Southern Counties East Division 1 side K Sports, who play at step six in the National League System, to Sheppey Sports next season is another big plus for the club’s youth set-up, according to Sheppey chairman Tony Hughes.

“We feel the gap between our under-23s and first team is a big step but putting that step six in there helps the players and hopefully will attract more of them to the club as well,” he said.

“It gives those players a very good pathway. If you are good enough it gives you the opportunity to go onto each step.

“You have to produce your own players and that helps attract the crowds as well because people know them personally.

“The week before, at home, the manager brought a couple of the youngsters on (from the bench) and that was really good to see, and then to see them start was absolutely brilliant.

“We are trying to tell everybody there is a pathway from the youth and that shows that it does work and you can move through to the first team.”

K Sports staved off the threat of relegation in SCEFL Division 1 and had a host of Sheppey players featuring for them at the weekend, in a 1-1 draw with Staplehurst Monarchs, including captain Richie Hamill, midfielder Connor Wilkins and striker Dan Bradshaw.

The Ites are currently seeking a head of youth, a part-time paid role, along with a youth treasurer and youth secretary. Applications are being taken until May 24.

A technical director is also being sought, who will be responsible for developing a relationship with all football staff, working closely with the first team manager, the club chairman and head of youth.

The new role - similar to that of the director of football position that was recently vacated by Matt Longhurst - will incorporate responsibility with first team player recruitment and scouting, supporting the head of youth, creating and implementing a roadmap of the club’s football philosophy, promoting the club in the community and supporting the commercial director.

The Ites’ first team ended the season just eight points off the Isthmian South East play-off places after an impressive run of results, finishing seventh in what was only their second season playing at step four.

First-team boss Ernie Batten also included another former youth player Aiden Clark on the bench as an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over East Grinstead, their final game of the season.

Javaun Splatt returned from injury to score Sheppey’s opener and Jacob Lambert continued his fine end to the season, scoring in his fifth consecutive game to finish the campaign as the club’s leading scorer with 17 goals. His last one went in with a well-hit free-kick.

The chairman added: “We ended the season extremely strongly, winning seven of the last eight games.

“The buzz around the ground is very good, as is the buzz around the first team, and the biggest thing is seeing some of the youngsters coming through and they played very well. The outlook is very good for the club and the team.”