Pitchero Non League

Yao showed enough promise as a young footballer to be taken on at the famous West Ham United Academy. He spent two years as a scholar with the Hammers before he was released at the end of the 2004/05 season.

He had trials with several clubs and also played number of reserve games on trial for Cheltenham Town, performing well enough to be offered a contract to finish the third year of his scholarship with the club.

He made his first-team debut against Carlisle United in September 2005, and in doing so he became the youngest player to play for Cheltenham in the Football League at the time, aged 18 years and 40 days old.

He left the club in February 2008 and in March joined Bishop's Stortford, scoring the winner on his debut against Basingstoke Town.

He started the 2009/10 season playing for AFC Hornchurch before heading off to Boreham Wood, where he scored three goals in his first two matches, including a goal on his debut against Ashford Town in a Ryman Premier division match.

He was released in late October 2009 and rejoined Hornchurch in January 2010, before signing for Harlow Town in June 2010, joining Hornchurch for a third time in October 2010.

He then signed for Brentwood Town at the end of December 2010 and then onto Maldon & Tiptree in September 2011.

Meanwhile, following on from John Nicholson's decision to step down as first-team coach, Met boss Jim Cooper has brought Phil Cramp into his management team.

Cramp was the joint reserve team manager last year with Ian Pendry and holds a UEFA B coaching qualification.

Cooper said: "When Nico stood down, I knew that we had to get the right man in place. Crampy was an obvious replacement in our eyes. He is an excellent coach, he gets on well with us but more importantly he already has the respect of the boys. Although neither he nor anyone can replace Nico, I feel that my management team is as strong as it has ever been.”

Tags: News | Metropolitan Police

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