AFC youngsters Kissiedu and Hankins sign Southern League terms

AFC Dunstable first team manager Steve Heath has rewarded two of the club's U18 Floodlit team players with places in his Southern League squad for the forthcoming season.

Ahead of AFC’s historic trip to Uxbridge this weekend for their first ever season at step four level, teenage strikers Jake Kissiedu and Joe Hankins have both signed Southern League terms.

Heath told the club’s official website: “Jake came on the radar at the end of last season as he made a couple of appearances.

“Injury though ruled him out for the final games. I have kept and eye on him in the close season and he seems to have overcome his problem”

“Joe was Jake’s striking partner last season in the U18s and scored over 20 goals for the team that won the Floodlit League.

“I drafted him in for the pre season friendlies and I have been really impressed with his attitude and application and he fully deserves a first team call up.”

Heath will continue to keep an eye on the duo’s progress but believes it sends a positive message to the rest of the club’s youngsters, adding: “You have to be careful with lads at such a young age that they do not burn themselves out too early, as all they want to do is play football.

“Monitoring their minutes on the pitch is very important, as they will still be playing for either our U18 or U21 teams this season and also their colleges.

“It gives lads in our 18s and 21s the strive to follow Jake and Joe’s example and break into my squad, as I have now signed them both on first team forms with the Southern League.”

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