Bury Town boss Ben Chenery knows the importance of youth in his football club.

The Ram Meadow outfit have long been advocates of young players, with their link-up with West Suffolk College well established.

Youth seems to be a path that is being taken by more and more clubs today, with academies and college link-ups springing up at a rate of knots.

“We do persist and work with players at 16 and 17,” Chenery said.

“I think once they get to perhaps 19 or 20 they are pretty much first-team players by then, or should be.

“There a lots of players who are rejected by pro clubs at 16. That’s a chance for clubs like us to pick them up, dust them down and get them back on track.

“Some clubs can just cherry pick ready-made players, but we are not one of them.”

Bury Town have made three significant signings this season, Ryan Gibbs from Needham Market, midfielder Ryan Horne from AFC Sudbury and Jake Kerins from Mildenhall Town.

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“It’s a few in, a few out at the moment,” Chenery said.

“We have lost Cemal Ramadan and Noel Aitkins to Leiston. They are young players who have improved under our guidance. I like to think we have polished them up and they have gone to a level above.

“We produce good players.”

Bury finished ninth in Bostik North last season and they did threaten a play-off place for a while.

It’s a strong league and Chenery knows it will once again be a real test.

“There are lots of good teams in Bostik North again this season,” Chenery said.

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“We need to be robust and strong and have good game management.

“It will be good to get pre-season over and get up and running.

“Get the first league points on the board is always a good thing.”

Bury begin their pre-season with a game at Newmarket on July 10 and in the FA Cup, they have been handed an away tie at Waltham Abbey in the Preliminary Round.

In the FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round, they have been handed a home draw with Horsham.