Coach Chris Webber has been dubbed the Dario Gradi of Sussex.

Crewe Alexadra's Gradi reared the likes of David Platt, Neil Lennon and Danny Murphy, while Webber has been helping mould youngsters Martyn Hope, James Skelly, Andrew Fenton, Bobbie Strong and Daniel Taylor into stars of the future.

Since forming BN Wanderers eight years ago, Chris has been helping young talent join professional clubs. Today, 35 of his players are either signed to or on trial with League teams - and that figure is set to rise.

The five youngsters mentioned are training with Manchester City, Coventry, Portsmouth, Chelsea and Brighton respectively.

When Lance Cronin completed his move from Brighton to Crystal Palace last week, he became the latest product off Chris's production line. Cronin, who had been part of the Albion youth set-up, is tipped by his former coach as having a glittering career ahead of him.

Chris said: "When Lance decided he wanted to leave Brighton, he played for me and we got some scouts down to watch him. Southampton, Aston Villa, Fulham, Manchester United and Palace all showed an interest. He had a choice where he wanted to go and he has chosen a club where he'll be happy."

Chris insists Wanderers are always happy to see their members move to professional clubs. He said: "We've no hesitation moving them on. We're here to help them further their careers. However I always say that the door is always open to return if things don't work out."

The BN Wanderers coach, who is also chairman, is probably on the Christmas card list of most pro clubs, but he laughs off comparisons between himself and Gradi. He does however believe parallels can be draw between Crewe and BN Wanderers.

He said: "If you are a good player there you don't stay there long and it's the same here. There are a number of clubs that have asked me to work for them over the years, but the trouble is that club then expect you to put all the players their way.

What if the club is not interested in a player? I talk to all clubs from the Premiership to the Conference."

Brighton have frequently approached Chris, but the Wanderers boss says he feels no overriding loyalty to the Seagulls.

He said: "We've got boys with Brighton, but you've got to listen to the players and their parents. Some children don't want to go to Brighton, Pompey or Gillingham."

The Webber family themselves are committed to football. Dad is chairman of BN Wanderers, mum is secretary and sons Lee and Jez are avid footballers, with the former now learning his trade at Rochdale.

After so much success bringing on talented schoolboys Chris is clear about the qualities he looks for in young players and the practice necessary to develop their skills.

"I look for commitment to training, to other players and the club from the word go," he said. "There has to be commitment from the parents as well, after all they're the ones who have to run them around.

"I say to the parents 'leave them to me.' I let them play and rotate their positions. I don't think they should have a position at a young age.

"The most important thing is that all the kids have a ball in training so they can practice the mastery of a football. You don't have to be playing matches all the time although that's what kids love to do.

"The FA are gradually getting their guidelines right. They've realised it is much better for younger ones to be playing in smaller games instead of 11-a-side, and they have introduced roll on, roll off subs which is brilliant for coaching."