Carshalton Athletic have pulled off arguably their biggest signing in years ahead of the start of the new Bostik Premier season in August, writes James Barrett-Sterling.
Player/manager Peter Adeniyi has penned a three-year deal to remain as first-team manager of the Robins, while also taking on new responsibilities at Colston Avenue.
The 39-year old will also head up the club’s youth academy for 16 to 18-year olds and help oversee the squads at both under 19 and under 23 levels.
And he is relishing the tasks ahead as the club prepare for the start of the new season.
“I was delighted to sign off on this long-term opportunity,” said Adeniyi who is entering his fourth season at the club.
“It was an easy decision as everyone has been amazing since I came here, from my colleagues to the backroom staff and especially the fans who have supported us throughout all the ups and downs.
“It’s a big compliment for the club to commit to me for three years and I’m going to do my best to help it get as high up the footballing ladder as possible.”
Carshalton’s successful youth academy, which has provided the first-team with several established graduates over the past eight years, was rebranded as the ‘Carshalton Athletic Pure Football Academy’ earlier this summer.
Its aim is to continue to nurture homegrown talent with a view of promoting players into the first-team, or even further as in the case of ex-Robin Mickel Miller who signed for Scottish Premier outfit Hamilton Academical over a year ago.
“I’ll take all my new responsibilities in stride but it’s really exciting,” Adeniyi added.
“The chairman and myself are keen to keep the young players coming through to the first-team and even beyond if they are good enough.
“If we can find more like Mickel, Tommy Bradford, Ricky Korboa, Bobby Price and Paris Hamilton-Downes then it’ll make all the hard work extra worthwhile.”
Adeniyi has been in charge of Carshalton’s first-team for three seasons and has led the club to a Bostik South title and a second-place finish in the Premier last season.
And club chairman Paul Dipre revealed there was no doubt his current manager was the man to deliver the club’s ambitions.
“Working with Peter over the past three years has been a pleasure. We share the same values, work ethic and we’ve had a lot of laughs along the way,” said chairman Paul Dipre.
“This commitment represents the trust and faith I have in his ability to achieve my aims both on and off the pitch.”
The last set of trials for the Pure Football Academy take place on 5th July – for more information please click here.
And Carshalton Athletic’s first pre-season friendly is now less than a month away as Tooting and Mitcham United visit Colston Avenue on Saturday 13th July (kick-off-3pm).