Chatham youngster Luis Dos Santos began a six-week trial with Football League side Colchester United this week – and the talent doesn’t end there.

First-team boss James Collins is beginning to reap the benefits of hard work behind the scenes and has praised chairman Kevin Hake for bringing some talented youngsters to the club.

Dos Santos, 16, is just one of several teenagers to have tasted first-team football for Chatham this season.

Collins said: “I can’t take any of the credit. Kevin has done well to get a lot of young guys playing for the under-18s and our reserves and we have also had Eitel Goueth and Alfie Speirs featuring in the first team this season.

“Credit to Kevin and the coaches down there for bringing these players in.”

Goueth and Speirs have both already registered goals for the first team. Speirs scored in the Southern Counties East League game against Deal Town and Goueth netted in the 7-0 rout against Rusthall.

Collins added: “There are lots more 16 and 17-year-olds coming through and they just need to fill out.

“I would have probably been starting these players last year but we are in a better position.”

Dos Santos can play a variety of roles in attack and hails from Gillingham. He’ll be looking to earn a place in Colchester’s youth team.

Collins said: “Luis has come on for four or five games, scored a goal for us in pre-season and he came on against Sheppey.

“He played pre-season but was only 15 and so we couldn’t play him in the league until September when he turned 16.

“He has a big future ahead of him if he keeps working hard. He’s a good lad and I hope he does well at Colchester.

“If it doesn’t work out for him there then I am sure there will be other opportunities for him at a higher level.”

Mr Hake is determined to keep the best local talent close to home and said: “We at Chatham Town believe in the value of youth and that has been evident in the amount of youth players that have had a chance in the first team this season.

“We have the infrastructure at this club now to deliver top-level coaching from four years old right up to senior football. Gone are the days where the best local talent is lost to other clubs and we intend to build on this platform.

“We will hold trials every year to constantly look to improve the quality of players at the club and already have other teams looking to come across to us for the forthcoming season. They like what they see.

“We wish Luis all the best at Colchester United and hope this is the first of many young players who get a chance to fulfil their dream.”