Highly-rated young coach Luke Carter has been named as the new manager of the Newhaven Under 23s team.

Despite only being 24-years-of-age, Carter has already amassed a wealth of coaching experience, including a stint as first-team manager of Hailsham Town last season.

In addition to this, he has also been an assistant manager for Lewes Under 23s and Langney Wanderers first team, as well as the manager of Worthing United’s and Saltdean United’s Under 23s teams.

Carter will replace Saltdean United-bound Kieran Ridley at the helm of the 23s, and is keen to continue the hard work his predecessor put in when it comes to developing young players for the first team.

“I want to make sure that what’s already here stays the same in terms of the youth players coming through,” Carter explains. “It’s vital that we can continue to give young players that platform to move on to the first team. My main aim is to make sure that Blunty [Clive Blunt, Under 18s manager], and myself work closely to make sure that pathway continues.

“At the same time, I also want to make sure we remain competitive and are in and around things in terms of the Under 23s league. Obviously, I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t think I could get a team together that will be competitive.”

The chance to work closely with – and learn from – the current first-team coaching set-up, as well as Blunt, also holds a big appeal for Carter.

“There’s so much experience here in terms of managers and coaches, that it’ll be great for me personally to tap into some of their knowledge and improve myself even more as a manager and coach,” he says.

Carter is hopeful that the top-notch facilities on offer at Fort Road will help him to develop a decent side that are easy on the eye. “It would be silly not to use the facilities that we’ve got down here to not try and play as much good, passing football as we can,” he explains. “Again, it comes down to developing the younger players in the best way we can, so playing some nice and attractive football is really important to me.”

Carter’s appointment has been met with glee by both first-team managers.

“Cooky and I are delighted to have Luke join our club as Under 23s Manager,” says Sean Breach. “We have known of Luke for a number of years and have watched how he has progressed in his career. He has gained such a huge amount of experience at such a young age and his enthusiasm and CV was very impressive.

“Everyone at the club was very impressed by how he spoke and with his plans for the role and he made this process a very easy decision for us.

“I’m really looking forward to working with him and welcoming him to the club.”

Welcome to Fort Road Luke!