Ray Turner has been named as Faversham Town's new youth development officer. The 31-year-old has lined out for both the first team and reserves in Town's first season as a re-formed club. And now he will combine his role as a player with a key post on the committee aimed at forging closer links with the community. Firefighter Ray, who also coaches Faversham Town Juniors, has been asked to lay the foundations for an under-18 team playing in the Kent Youth League next season. And he is looking forward to the challenge of helping junior players in Faversham and the surrounding rural areas bridge the gap to the senior game. He revealed: 'First and foremost I am delighted to be offered this opportunity at Faversham Town. "It's a role that comes with considerable responsibility in order to ensure the vision of the committee is realised. "The club's incredible revival is well documented. Many people at the club have sacrificed a great deal to see senior football back at Salters Lane. "Now, however, it is vital that the vast potential among the young players in the town and surrounding areas are given the opportunity to flourish. "Initially, my work will centre on attracting good young players to represent the club in the Kent Youth League next season. "These players are my primary concern. Ideally, I will be looking for local lads that have the desire and application to drive the club forward. "And I urge any youngsters eligible for the under-18s next season to contact me to register their interest. "The club have made a great journey. With committed young talent at the club we will be able to put a structure in place that will serve the community for years to come - and bring the Town considerable success." Town vice-chairman John Webb sees the youth development officer as one of the most important jobs at Salters Lane. He said: "We are really pleased that Ray has come on board. It's really exciting for us and this new post is key to our future. "It is all about investing in the future of the football club by investing in our youth. "Salters Lane is the home of football in the area and we want as many children to carry on playing football rather than being lost to the game at 15 or 16. "There are so many good junior clubs out there and we'd dearly love to form a pyramid system whereby kids have the best possible chance to play senior football here. We already have a good crop of locals playing for the first team. "With the right development, we see no reason why more and more local players can't be knocking on the first-team door." Ray said he was keen to establish close links with junior clubs in the area and plans to outline the club's vision at a special evening next month. He said: "Only recently, chairman Bob Mason re-iterated Faversham Town's long-held desire to become a community club and part of my role is to make that a reality. "Shortly, the club will be contacting the many junior and youth sides in the area to a presentation evening at Salters Lane where we will put forward our vision for the future." Father of one Ray will be working closely with Town's child protection officer Harry Moon and is looking to recruit other specialist help. He explained: "My role as youth development officer is one that I cannot fulfill alone and I am looking to recruit a number of people to help me and the club during this exciting period. "I am looking for professionals or students with a particular interest in football, specialists in coaching, physiotherapy, fitness and diet. "I will be putting this team together in the coming months and if anyone out there would like to be involved, they can contact me or the club. "It is my hope that the people of Faversham and the surrounding rural areas can see that this committee really do have the interests of our children at heart as they look to build a really solid and successful Faversham Town. "I now hope to play my part and help make their dream a reality." For more information about Ray's work at Faversham Town, call him 07725 857696.