‘Institute’s a forward thinkingclub’ - says a former gaffer

Speaking exclusively to the Londonderry Sentinel, former Derry City full-back Vaudequin was full of admiration for Kee and the job he has accomplished so far this season with what is a relatively young squad.

Institute are currently third in the IFA Championship One, but with a game in hand Kee’s team could go ahead of second placed Warrenpoint Town if they win the outstanding fixture.

Vaudequin believes Kee’s footballing philosophy of blooding youth is paying dividends this season as the younger players have shone in recent weeks.

“I’ve been speaking to Paul recently and it seems what he is trying to do is develop players and if you look at the squad I think you can see that,” said the former Brandywell favourite. “He is working on developing young players by putting them through the first team as he sees it as the way forward for the club.

“To be fair to the players they have done very well and have only lost four times this season I believe, which is a decent return for such a young squad.

“It is very commendable what Institute are doing and I think looking forward with a younger squad than perhaps previously is a good idea for the club.

“When you look at how many youngsters they are promoting, I mean they have experienced players but they are trying to get the right balance, they can be happy with top three at the moment,” concluded the former ’Stute boss.

Vaudequin knows the rigours of management in the North-West having been at the helm of the Waterside club in 2005 for ten colourful months and he appreciates the job Kee is doing.

“Yeah I think Paul is doing great,” he beamed. “We know that financially the club isn’t the strongest but there are many good players around Derry and it shows you that with a wee bit of patience you can get the rewards.

“You only have to look at Derry City and their young local squad to see that being patient can bring success.

“’Stute are doing great things. People must be patient. You look at what they are doing even off the pitch, and when I go down there I can see they have a great structure in place including a beautiful new stand.

“Like anything else, of course it will take time but everything seems to be in place and the future is very interesting for the club.”

Vaudequin still holds a soft spot for his former club and the IFA County Excellence Coach believes that it is only a matter of time before the Drumahoe club are facing the Linfields and Cliftonvilles of this world again.

“If it doesn’t happen this season I am sure next year we will see Stute up again,” affirmed the Frenchman.

“If you wait a couple of years those players will be more experienced, they will have had a few years in senior football, and I think there’s an awful lot of talent there for Paul to work with.

“I’ve spent five years with Paul during our time with the IFA and he’s the kind of man who promotes the right way of playing football and it’s only a matter of time before we see Institute back in the Irish Premiership.”