Chatham Town are forging links with top teams to create a pathway for their promising youngsters to play in the Football League, says their chairman.

First-team boss and club chairman Kevin Hake was thrilled to have seen 18-year-old Harvey Broad complete a move to Championship side Coventry City.

More: “A proud moment for me and my family”

Broad is a product of the club’s academy, joining Chats after being released by Charlton Athletic at 14.

As manager, Hake handed Broad a debut in his team, aged 16, and then watched him flourish out on loan before bringing him back to the club where he continued to excel.

The player’s quality was spotted by the Sky Blues who have signed him up to join their development side from next season.

“We are incredibly proud to see Harvey agree professional terms with Coventry City,” Hake said.

“It’s a truly great story, after being released at 14 from Charlton he came to the Chats wanting to find his love for the game again.

“He became a Chats Scholar at 16 and got his first taste of men’s football with us in a League Cup game versus Larkfield. Since then he’s never looked back.

“He made 17 appearances in total last season with us in the Isthmian Premier.

“We give youth a chance at this club and a lot of our players as a result are in the spotlights.

“We enjoy forging relationships with league clubs that enable our players to become professionals.

“Coventry have been great in this whole process and we look forward to our friendly with them next Tuesday.

“We may get a glimpse of Harvey in the game so it will be nice for the fans to send him their well wishes.

“On behalf of everyone at Chatham Town, we wish Harvey all the very best of luck for the future as he takes up his new life as a professional footballer.”

Hake’s Isthmian Premier Division side continue their pre-season programme on Saturday at Tonbridge Angels before welcoming Coventry City to the Bauvill Stadium on Tuesday night (7.45pm).