THE ADDICKS have announced the appointment of Tom Pell as Academy Manager, with Steve Avory becoming Academy Director.

Pell joins the club after spending 16 years working at Cambridge United’s academy and has admitted he is excited to get started in his new role.

He told the club website: “It feels fantastic, I am really excited for the opportunity and really grateful to Steve and the Owner as well.

“I have been at my previous club for a really long period of time, the new challenge is an exciting one and something I am really looking forward to.

“A massive pull for me is that the club has a rich history of producing players, anyone that works within academy football, you want to work at a club where there is a pathway.”

Pell’s arrival at The Valley, means Avory will become the Academy Director, with Pell supporting the staff in bringing the disciplines and departments together from a day-to-day operations perspective, this will allow Avory to increase his focus on the footballing side of the academy operations.

Avory said: “Tom brings to the club the experience of being in a very similar role at Cambridge United.

“He comes highly recommended and has a good reputation, certainly within the academy circuit which we are operating in.

“I have noticed how much more productive Cambridge’s academy have become on the pitch with their performance levels, as well as successfully bringing young players through their system there and Tom has been a part of that.” 

Since 2006 Pell has been working as Cambridge’s academy in a number of roles, mainly based in coaching and operations and in the last four years as the club’s Academy Manager.

Get all the latest news and views by following our new South London Sport Facebook page