St Albans City’s U18 manager Mark Swales believes the club has a bright future with a host of prodigious talents signing up for the Saints.

After holding two trials in February for U16 and U17 players in the district, Swales was extremely impressed with at least half a dozen precocious hot shots.

These rising stars will train with the club for the next couple of weeks and the former director of sport at St Columba’s College was pleased with the technical ability and desire of the youngsters.

“There was a real buzz from the boys,” said Swales. “Their attitude was first rate and you could tell it had a great impact on them; it was really positive.”

The trials involved one on ones in both defence and attack, high tempo possession scenarios in confined spaces, one touch football and intense fitness workouts.

Already some of the U17s have made the step up to the U21s which puts them in good stead for pre-season in several months time, and Swales is already excited.

“This is what football is about, nourishing young talent and from talking to their parents all of them deeply enjoyed it and learnt a lot so it definitely had a good impact on them,” he said.