It's a new season and a new start in the Wanderers Academy following the appointment of a fresh U18s coaching team.
Academy Manager Jimmy Phillips has moved to install David Lee as the Head Coach with Tony Kelly working as his assistant.
And it has been a very successful start for the duo as Wanderers' latest crop of scholars recently reached in final of the prestigious Milk Cup tournament over in Northern Ireland.
The U18s progressed through the group stages before they fended off the challenge of Dublin-based club Belvedere and Brazilian side Desportivo in the quarter-final and semi-final stages respectively.
They were edged out 2-1 to Eoile Lusitana in the final, but Lee believes that it has certainly been an encouraging start to his coaching reign, with the domestic league season starting this coming weekend against MK Dons.
He said: "The good thing was that we got a couple of weeks under our belt in pre-season and then we found out a lot about the character of the players by going over to Northern Ireland.
"We discovered whether they are determined to succeed, which players don't shirk responsibility and what the team spirit was like. It proved to be a really good trip in terms of team bonding and there is plenty of food for thought for the upcoming season.
"In an ideal world, you want to get to the final and win it but when we look at the teams who were over there - Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham - it was a great achievement. For the lads to go out there and play five games in five days and beat teams from Brazil then we couldn't have asked for much more.
"When we played against the Brazilian side in the semis then that was probably our final. It was probably one step too far because the Senegalese boys were a bit physically stronger than us. So overall, to get as far as we did and play live on Northern Ireland television, is pleasing and the boys can be proud because they didn't disgrace themselves.
"It was great preparation for the league season because we tried different formations and also had to deal with the way teams want to play against us. Sometimes we had to concentrate on the physical aspect and other times it was more technical. It has set us up well for what we will need to come to expect."
Both Wanderers Chairman Phil Gartside and Manager Owen Coyle are keen to see youth players graduate through the academy and reach the first-team frame.
And Lee believes that there are some exciting prospects in the current bunch of scholars, who can strive and make a successful career with the Whites.
"We have taken eight first-years, with seven of those coming through the academy programme itself and the other being from London. Most of those second years that we have inherited have progressed to play reserve team football already, so that's a positive sign.
"They are all passionate and have the work ethic to become first team players. With the management that we have in place at the moment then there will be opportunities for them if they are good enough.
"On the bigger picture, it's not about the actual results in our matches. We are looking for individuality and performances from these players that will hopefully push them into reserve football and then ultimately into the first-team.
"We've got to push them all the way and if their best is not good enough, then we know that is all you can ask for. But we believe that there are players in the system who can come through and hopefully one day make it to the top level."
Lee also welcomed Tony Kelly as his number two, and he believes that the pair both complement each other's coaching style.
He added: "Tony has been back at the club a couple of years now, obviously in his Fans Liaison role, but he has now stepped up to coaching.
"I know that he loves the job and he is learning off me every day. On the other side, he has his own ideas that I try and implement into the system as well.
"The lads have taken to him because he is passionate and has that affable personality. He has a laugh with them but he has that respect at the same time too because they understand his way of thinking."
Kelly himself has explained how much he is excited by his new job and how he is determined to unearth and nurture the next generation of footballing talent in the region.
"It's great to be back out on the training pitches with the lads," he said. "But I'm still the Fans Liaison Officer and will do that role whenever I'm called upon.
"We are looking to get the lads sharp for what will be a very long academy league. There are some big games out there to be won, and obviously the second-years are looking to become professionals.
"David and I know what the club is all about and what is needed. We were here in the 1990s under the start of the good times with Bruce Rioch.
"The Gaffer was an ex-team-mate of ours as well at that time, and he has made the academy a big selling point at the moment.
"He's gone on record to say that if there is a player that is good enough then he will pick them in the first team, so that is encouraging for everyone involved.
"We just have to find that kid now and we will try our best to do that."
