NEWLY-promoted Ramsbottom United have appointed Mark Whitaker as their new youth team manager as they bid to launch an under-18s set-up.

Whitaker has joined the club after a highly successful nine-year stint managing the Nelson FC, who have won three Tameside under-17s cup finals and a league title by a margin of 10 points.

North West Counties League Premier Division champions Ramsbottom will be plying their trade in the Evo-Stik Division One North next season with a big derby against Radcliffe Borough awaiting them.

The charter-mark youth set-up at Ramsbottom already boasts 15 teams from under-6s through to two u15s, but the club is now aiming to bridge the gap between the youngsters and the senior set-ups.

Anthony Johnson, joint manager alongside Bernard Morley, said: “Many clubs have a gap between the under-15s and under-16s and the first team, leaving players without anywhere to progress to once they reach a certain age. It’s madness to spend all this time and energy developing these kids’ skills only for them to get told there is no place for them at the club once they get to 16.

“Bernard and myself have always wanted to have decent under-18s, under-21s and reserve sides in place and it became top of our list as soon as we knew our first team had secured promotion.”

Whitaker’s training base is to be Woodhey High School, facilities he was already using for the Nelson club.

“The decision to join Ramsbottom was a very simple one,” he said.

“The aspirations that Bernard and Anthony have for youth development meant I could see straightaway that they meant business.”

Whitaker looks likely to bring many of his top players with him to join the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium club.

“It’s going to be easier for the lads who come to be playing their matches at Ramsbottom,” he added.

“There are some fantastic young players among them.”