Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Dean Austin is trying to make Harvesters the ‘best grassroots football club’ in Hertfordshire.

Austin has been overseeing the introduction of a new youth development scheme for four to six-year-olds at Harvesters following the launch of new guidelines from the FA on how young children should be taught football.

He joined the children to launch the new Colts scheme down at Smallford on Saturday morning.

“Our philosophy at Harvesters is to try to create the best grassroots football club in Hertfordshire,” he said.

“We want to develop young children’s technical ability and encourage them to play total football. We encourage our goalkeepers to pass the ball out to defenders, not to kick it up the field.

“With all our younger children, we have one coach to eight players, working constantly off their left and right feet to help improve their weaker sides.

“The club is also developing our own coaches out aim is have the safest and best football development environment for young children. We are not about the most talented children, all we ask is that they are keen to learn.”