Taunton Town Under-18s have received a triple boost as they begin preparations for next season.

Head Coach Trevor Jenkins and Assistant Manager Guy Hannaford, along with Youth Development Officer Gavin Step and Youth Secretary Selina Selwood will all continue in their roles for the upcoming campaign.

The new season will see the Peacocks remain in the Premier Division of the Somerset Floodlight Youth League despite finishing one place off the bottom last season.

The main youth team sponsor for the last two years, RW Cload Bulk Transport, have also agreed to maintain their sponsorship for the next two seasons and will continue to have their name on the front of the shirts.

Andy Cload, Associate Director at the club and representing the sponsor said: “My father and I are extremely proud of the way Taunton Town Football Club has progressed over the last two years in so many areas.

“A lot of work and effort has been put in and it therefore seems completely logical to continue to help the long term development of the club, and in our opinion the best way to do that is with the youth organisation.

“We are extremely happy to extend our support of the Taunton Town youth system for the next two years and wish the management team and the players the very best of luck for 2013-14.”

Taunton will take their place in a ten team Premier Division when the league kicks off in early September after it was confirmed no side would be relegated at last week’s AGM.

Town’s opposition will consist of Ashton & Backwell, Bishop Sutton, Bridgwater Town, Brislington, Gillingham Town, Mangotsfield United, Odd Down, Tiverton Town and Weston-super-Mare.

An away tie in the League Cup also awaits at Portishead Town.

Head Coach Jenkins is excited about the challenge. He said: “I am looking forward to the U18 trials and a challenging pre-season in order to start the beginning of the season well prepared.

“We have a nucleus of strong players from last season but we will be hoping to add a few more players to the squad during the next month.

“Last season was a real eye opener for everyone playing in the Premier Division against very strong and physical teams.

“Our style of play on most occasions was fantastic and I feel we built up a reputation of being a good footballing side.

“This will remain our philosophy for next season, but we need to add more grit and desire to our game and be able to deal with the physical side more.”

The trials for the Under-18s will take place at Richard Huish College on Thursday, June 27 from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The trial will be for new players only, with successful players invited back for a second trial along with this year’s squad at the same venue and time on Thursday, July 4.

Any player who wishes to attend the trial should have their name, date of birth and two preferred playing positions emailed to youth@tauntontown.com by a parent or guardian.

Step said:” I am excited to see the quality of player we can attract to join the already talented squad at the trials later this month.

“Last year the U-18s had five players involved at first team level with a number of last season’s squad due to attend pre-season with the first team next month.

“I am very excited for the coming season and expect the U18s, many of whom will stay with us from last season, to be more competitive in the Premier Division, having had a year’s experience at this level.”

Club chairman Kevin Sturmey is equally positive about the future.

He said: “While it was a tough season all round for the youth team, I believe firm foundations have been laid for the future prosperity of youth football in Taunton.

“In Trevor and Gavin we have two coaches with the passion to develop players at youth team level in to better footballers.

“It is a tough league we play in and it was a steep learning curve last season, but I am proud that the management and players stuck to the principles of developing and trying to play the game the right way.

“We will continue to have a big investment in youth football and I would like to thank RW Cload Bulk Transport for their valued support.

“There are already plans to run another youth team at a different level in the future which will be another exciting chapter at Wordsworth Drive.”