WAYNE Goodison has promised 1874 Northwich will continue to give young players an opportunity and used Taylor Kennerley as an example for others to follow.

The wide man signed a contract with the North West Counties League outfit last week as a reward for his impressive form on the pitch.

And the co-manager insists the path he has taken from the under 21s to the first-team is a clear one.

READ > Taylor Kennerley: 1874 gave me chance others didn't

“We can’t talk about it and then not act,” he told the Guardian.

“The message for those lads in that side at the moment, and there are a few we think have potential, is that we’ll give you an opportunity.

“I hope we’re developing a reputation already for doing that, and as long as I’m at the club it’s something that will be an important part of our identity.”

When 1874 took to the field for a Macron Cup encounter with Abbey Hey earlier this month six players – more than half of their starting line-up – were aged 22 or under.

Three of those were teenagers.

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Kennerley is at the centre of that core of emerging talent, and has attracted interest from at least two higher-ranked clubs in recent weeks.

“We’d spoken about Taylor in the summer and how he had progressed last year,” said Goodison.

“And we knew that if he continued to develop at the same rate then we’d quickly arrive at a situation where rivals would start to take notice.

“It’s important to think about what we’re trying to do and where we’d like to be.

“This doesn’t mean we’ll be handing out deals to a load of people just to stop them leaving because that isn’t what this is about.

“There may come a time when it’s the right moment for everybody concerned that a lad steps up, and we’ll encourage them if that’s the case.”

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Goalkeeper Dane Rigby is the latest to have been given an opportunity, following on from midfield duo James Ormrod and Lucas Weir as well as winger Josh Winthrop.

Matty Preston, who is 17, also became the youngest player to feature for the club in a competitive fixture when he was introduced as a second-half substitute against AFC Blackpool last month.

Goodison, who was on the touchline to see 1874’s under 21s lose by the odd goal in nine at Radcliffe last week in a North West Under 21s Development League fixture, will continue to keep one eye on the future.

He added: “With those guys in the mix, the team will naturally regenerate itself and for a club operating at our level that’s crucial.”