The Under 18s team has been a revelation for Kendal Town Football Club this season and currently sit at the top of the Lancashire Floodlight League.

The Under 18s are seen as the future with Kendal Town First Team Manager Michael Stringfellow regulalry giving opportunities to the rising stars.

Young players such as Danny Craig, Sam Harrison and Bailey Carlos have all been involved with The First Team while 17-year-old Callum Fawcett made his senior debut as he came off the bench in Kendal’s 4-3 win at Droylsden.

The current success of The Under 18s has been overseen by Simon Hansen. He is also the manager of both Kendal United's Reserves and Kendal United's Rockets Under 13 side. Both sides are doing well in their respective division

In addition to taking on all these responsibilities he is also the assistant coach to the Westmorland County FAS Under 18 squad!

In an exclusive interview I caught up with Simon, who shared his thoughts on The Under 18s' current success, as well as talking about his aims for the future.

1. What has been the key to the current success of your team?

"We have good players with years of understanding that play together at good, well-run junior football teams like Kendal United and Wattsfield.

"Having a good team spirit is key to every player working hard for each other on the pitch. My players certainly have that spirit, which is fantastic for me as a manager.

"The whole team have the technical ability from previous coaching, but it’s my job with the excellent team I have around me in Mark Casey, James Pattison and Kyle Hansen to further develop and push them on. I want to develop their understanding of the game, challenging them against tougher opposition."

2. How many of your players are a product of the Westmorland Football League and how big a gap is there between playing at Westmorland Football League level to playing at Kendal Town's level?

"All my players play in The Westmorland Football League apart from three! Considering most of the squad are all Under 17 and playing their first season in the open age bracket it suggests that the standard isn’t as near to Kendal Town's level as it needs to be.

"However a few well-run clubs are developing young players, giving them the opportunity to play as soon as they are 16. It is our job to challenge them in our friendlies and league games. These challenges will allow us to find some players that can really push themselves to play at a higher level.

"The work Kendal Town are doing behind the scenes developing players from Under 7 to Under 16 will come to fruition in the coming years. We will then get to see players playing more regularly against the best opposition from the North.

"We have already had squads visit teams like Manchester City."

3. What are your aims and objectives for the rest of the current season?

"The aim is to continue the development of young players and give as many as possible an opportunity with Kendal Town's senior squad. We are in an excellent position to win the league, but if I can get players playing regularly for Kendal Town within the next few years I see that as success."

4. How many of your current squad are ready for the First Team? And how many have progressed to play senior football for the club?

"At the moment four of our players have been with the First Team with Danny Craig, Sam Harrison, Bailey Carlos and Callum Fawcett all involved. However, Callum came off the bench for the last ten minutes in Kendal's 4-3 win at Droylsden.

"There are probably three-four more players just about ready for that type of experience and challenge. However they are only 16 and early in their development. There's no reason why all of them can’t push on and make an impact!"

5. What needs to be done to give more young players in The Westmorland League an opportunity on the bigger stage at a club such as Kendal Town FC?

"There are a lot of players within the Westmorland League with potential, Kendal Town are leading the way in the Development Centre. The centre is getting the best players together and challenging them at an early age playing against good teams. This challenge will help for when they get to open age football, making the gap smaller and more achievable.

"This will help and support the Westmorland league and local football. I believe that Kendal Town are doing what most would expect from them. With the recently added Under 23 side we have a real pathway to the First Team even if some players are not physically ready by 18. Playing for The Under 23s will give them more time to develop and progress."