Sport

Ex-Chelsea star relishes role with Enfield Borough FC

Enfield Borough FC secretary Renee Mair speaks to Michael Duberry about the progress being made at the club

Pictured at College of North East London in Enfield Highway are Enfield Borough FC’s head of football academy Josemar Santos (third from left), Conel vice principal Robin Hindley (centre), and club chairman Marvin Walker (third from right)
Pictured at Conel in Enfield Highway are Enfield Borough FC’s head of football academy Josemar Santos (third from left), Conel vice principal Robin Hindley (centre), and club chairman Marvin Walker (third from right)

Former Premier League footballer Michael Duberry has spoken about his role as an ambassador for Enfield Borough Football Club.

Duberry, born and educated in Enfield, had a 20-year career that included Chelsea and Leeds United and is keen for young players at the club to follow in his footsteps.

“I speak regularly with Marvin and Aaron [Walker and Archer, co-founders of Enfield Borough] about ways that we can push the club forward.

“The great thing that Enfield Borough can offer is opportunity and that is what everyone craves. We will push players to make the best of their talent because if the players do well, it reflects well on the club.

“A pathway is there into the professional game which shows that you don’t necessarily have to go through a football league club’s academy. This club has people with a vast experience and knowledge behind them, manager Anthony McNamee also played top flight football while others played to a decent standard in the non-league game, and very few clubs at this level can offer that insight.
“I like the club’s values and ethos and really enjoy my involvement.”

The Enfield Borough production line continues to turn out fine young players. Fifteen-year-old Elvis Elendu has just been signed by Cambridge United, while first-team goalkeeper Harry Cooke has been on trial at the same club. Cooke, only 16 himself, has been a regular between the posts since September and has produced a string of fine performances.

This season the club expanded its youth programme by increasing the number of teams from four to six, with age groups ranging from under-13 to under-18.

“Elvis has been signed straight from our under 15s,” says Borough’s chairman Marvin Walker. “Last season a number of our youngsters were signed up by both Cambridge United and Blackburn Rovers, so the professional clubs know what we do and have an eye on our talented young players.” The club’s link with the College of North East London, through its college programme, continues to prosper. The intention is that it will grow further with more teams being established for the 2023/24 season.

Plans for the future are not confined to on-pitch matters. The hope is that the club will be able to return to the Borough whose name it bears in the near future. Marvin adds: “We are actively looking to have a ground of our own. While we are very grateful for the support and facilities that Wingate & Finchley provide for us, we have been away from Enfield for five years now and there is no place like home.”


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