FORMER Gillingham crowd favourite Adrian Pennock may have left the area to take charge of Stoke City’s youth scheme but he has not forgotten Kent and the county’s young footballers.

At Pennock’s invitation, a Valley Express Youth League, Under-16 squad are to play a Stoke youth XI over the Easter weekend.

League chief executive Colin Boswell said: “It’s clear that Adrian has not forgotten Kent and we’re thrilled to accept his invitation.

“Ken Brooke, our website manager and Under-16 team manager has found a sponsor to help with accommodation costs and it looks all systems go.

“We’re hoping to play another game somewhere in the Potteries over Easter with Port Vale a possibility.”

On their return, the Kent Youth League youngsters will play a match against a Charlton Youth X1 on March 26 at a venue that has still to be decided.