Kieran Burnett detailed his pride in seeing numerous members of his U23 side make the step up to Poole’s first team on Tuesday night.
It was an eventful midweek for the U23s, who played the following day – edging past Andover via penalties after a pulsating encounter.
For Kieran Burnett, there was even more excitement – as Poole’s manager had to step in and officiate after the designated match official was a no show.
Speaking to All Poole Aren’t We, Burnett said: “Definitely [Proud]. I think any compliments you get from the first team management, you take it on board and you take it into your next game.
“I thought the lads involved tonight conducted themselves very well, despite the situation. It could have gone either way – that’s from someone who is trying to remain neutral from the role that I took in the game.
“Those that played again, they gave it their all, with the minutes they already had under the belt, the pressures that they had the day before, despite the outcome of the Wimborne game.
“From my point of view, the boys moved the ball well, they played well. You only be happy with the development and the progression.”
Poole’s U23s will compete in this year’s Dorset Senior Trophy, pitting the youngsters against DPL sides. When asked what benefit playing senior football will have for the side, Burnett responded:
“Any opportunity to play against a bigger team, an adult team is good. They are adults at the end of the day, and need to be treated like adults, so any exposure in that area, and for their development personally, and as team as well – they can only get better if they are exposed early on, and to progress.
“As a club, our ambition is to develop players, and I think that is the right way of doing it.”
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