The academy’s U17 players have travelled to the capital for their first pre-season tests in a three-day training camp as they look ahead to the 2026/27 season.
The squad will be straight into the action upon their arrival in London, with their first fixture scheduled against Barnet U18 at 2pm on Monday afternoon – a good test to begin proceedings against a fellow category four academy, providing valuable minutes against a strong squad.
As well as footballing opportunities, the trip also offers scope for team bonding, and the lads will be taken for a city centre tour of the capital on Monday evening before heading back to their hotel based in South London to recover ahead of two days of tournament football.
Across Tuesday and Wednesday, the group will compete in the Cygnus Cup 2026 where the squad will be split across two sides to play against three different organisations. They will go up against National League side Sutton United, National League South’s Walton and Hersham in addition to playing private academies from South London.
Head of academy recruitment Justin Tellus said: “London is a hotspot for football talent, making it an ideal environment to test ourselves against top academies. Its multicultural football landscape and the consistently high standard of its teams provide a valuable benchmark for the group’s development.
“The training camp offers a fantastic opportunity for the group to face strong opposition to both physically and mentally prepare for the season to come. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch with squad meetings, meals, and group activities back at the hotel to create a bond across the whole team.”
