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During the weeks when the international breaks occur, it is common for many Bristol Motors Trophy matches to be scheduled and that was the case last week when a good number of the group stage games were played. Many teams use the games as a means of providing valuable game time minutes to those on the periphery of the squads. This was a plan utilized by the Lincoln City management team and so midfielder Dominic Jeffries (2002) was named on the bench for their match but did play for the last half hour or so, helping the team overcome a deficit to end up victorious. An academy player and then a scholar with Newport County, Dom was released by the club at the end of that time as the covid pandemic created severe financial constraints. He joined non-league club Salisbury and quickly demonstrated at this new level of football why he had accumulated six first team appearances at County. Brentford took an interest in his qualities, signing him to become a member of their B team squad. A move to secure first team football opportunities with Gillingham in the summer of 2022 resulted in over seventy appearances over his two seasons at the club, a total that may well have been much closer to a century but for some injury issues that restricted his availability. Dom accepted the new challenge of League One football when Lincoln sought his services in the summer, and he has quickly established himself as a regular starter at the club. He will undoubtedly want to continue progressing his career and see if he can operate successfully at even higher levels than he has been tested so far.

Wrexham was another club with a Trophy match on their schedule and unsurprisingly considering the volume and depth of their squad, made wholesale changes in their team for the game. It is very much to their credit that defender Aaron James (2005) and midfielder Harry Ashfield (2006) both secured starting assignments and produced performances that warranted the manager’s opinion of their worthiness. Both have progressed through the academy and scholar ranks at the club and even though faced with fierce competition for any amount of game time, have nevertheless demonstrated their capability in providing a contribution to the team goals when given the opportunity. In times when only those with long ago cherished memories are relevant, the Wrexham academy system was as adept in producing quality talent as clubs with much superior budgets. The rejuvenation of the club, much to the joy of the beleaguered and faithful fanbase, does include the recognition by those in charge of the necessity of producing homegrown talent as a facet of sustainability. Such a plan will not only be beneficial to the club, but quite possibly in national terms as well. In opposition to the Wrexham side for the Trophy match was a Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21 team. Operating in their midfield was Finn Ashworth (2005), a first year member of the U-21 squad after completing his time as a scholar last season. On the bench was forward Josh Esen (2004) signed by Wolves in 2021 from Llanelli to join their U-18 squad. Both Finn and Josh are regular performers for the Wolves U-21 team that competes in the Premier League 2 matches.

The Bristol Motors Trophy competition is regarded by many managers as not only an opportunity to use their fringe squad players but also for acclimatizing promising youngsters to first team competitive situations. In some cases, it is a means of gaining experience with bench time, in others an introduction to competition against senior players. It was a case of both instances for Notts County forward Cassius Cisse (2006) who was named on the bench for last week’s match and then introduced into the game for the final seven minutes plus added time. A scholar at the club, Cassius must be doing well in his youth football duties to have been given the opportunity and will be hoping his reaction to his substitute role will prompt another selection soon. The opposing team, Northampton Town, included forward Oliver Evans (2007) on the bench. A first year scholar with the Cobblers, Oliver must have created a strong impression in his first weeks in full-time football and will be another eager to earn another chance as soon as possible.

Midfielder Max Edwards (2005) who was included in the Bristol Rovers first team pre-season preparations, received his first competitive assignment of the season when included on the bench for their Trophy match. It was a return to first team duty after a lengthy gap. In January 2022 Max was named on the bench for an FA Cup tie and became the holder of the record as the club’s youngest ever FA Cup participant when introduced into the game as a late substitute. The record was superseded last season by Ollie Dewsbury (2008) when he was also introduced as a late substitute during Rovers’ first round tie. Ollie, who is presently in the middle of a month long loan with Yate Town, made his next appearance as a substitute in a Trophy match earlier in the season. Club management seem keen to get him acclimatized to first team football circumstances as quickly as possible and he has already scored his first goal in senior football for his loan club. Both Max and Ollie began their Wales representation experiences for the U-15’s and have continued with the subsequent age group teams. Ollie was in fact playing for the U-17’s as they contested a couple of friendly matches during the international break.

Identified by the Wolverhampton Wanderers scouts as a player with immense promise, Chem Campbell (2002) was recruited by the club as a twelve year old from the Birmingham City academy. He did not disappoint their evaluation and had become a regular performer in their U-18 team prior to becoming a scholar at the start of the 2019/20 season. A continuing rapid progression of his career was confirmed when he made his first team debut as a starter in a fourth round EFL Cup tie in late October 2019, some weeks before his seventeenth birthday. As is so often the case in all sporting careers, the pattern of the story does not continue without challenging circumstances needing to be overcome. In Chem’s case a couple inopportune short injury issues, as well as the disruption of the covid pandemic, delayed his next appearance until late in the 2021/22 season. Very much a first team squad member as the 2022/23 season started, he made six substitute appearances during the many occasions he was on the bench. In late January 2023 a loan arrangement with Wycombe Wanderers was agreed and he assisted them successfully for the remainder of the season. Last season, a similar arrangement, again in League One with Charlton Athletic did not prove to be as beneficial. This season, at the end of the transfer window, he joined Reading on a half season loan. He has settled well at the club and has contributed with a couple of important goals from an attacking midfield role in his four games played. His aim will to be even more influential over the coming weeks and demonstrate that the qualities exhibited in the past are still a part of his repertoire. Chem was a regular member of Wales teams at U-15, U-16 and U-17 levels before the suspension of events due to covid prevented an opportunity for further caps with the U-19’s.

Luton Town forward Joe Taylor (2002) was the subject of numerous gossip column comments that addressed possible loan arrangements during the summer months. Apparently, there were discussions instigated by interested clubs, but no arrangement came to fruition. Joe was signed from non-league football by Peterborough United in late 2021, making enough of an impression there for Luton to negotiate for his transfer in the 2023 January transfer window. He has been a member of the first team squad this season and management are quite confident of his ability at Championship level, utilizing him off the bench in five games during which he has accumulated a decent number of minutes on the pitch. It may be that if a suitable situation arises, Joe could benefit from a loan assignment during the second half of the season, but that is just conjecture at this point. On standby for the U-21 squad during this international break, Joe has already collected caps, playing for the team three times.

Another player making a move during the transfer window was Salford forward Marcus Dackers (2003), when Morecambe acquired his services on a season long loan. An academy player and scholar at Brighton and Hove Albion, Salford signed him as an addition to their U-21 squad in the summer of 2021. Over the last three seasons he has had various length loan spells at numerous non-league clubs creating a resume of successful associations. He also made occasional first team appearances for Salford and was promoted into the first team squad prior to the start of last season. This season he was in the Salford matchday squads and made three substitute appearances before his move to the Lancashire coast team. He has made a good contribution to the Shrimpers squad and established himself as a regular starter for them. Marcus began his Wales career when playing for the U-15’s and has also played for the U-16’s, U-17’s and U-19’s.
A new name added to the list of those eligible to represent Wales was that of Coventry midfielder Kai Andrews (2006) when he was selected to play for the U-19’s last season. Starting his time as a scholar with the club in the 2022/23 season, his impressive form triggered the decision to promote him to the U-21 squad before the start of last season. He then made his first team debut in an early season Championship game when introduced off the bench just before the final whistle. There were a dozen and a half more matchday squad inclusions as the season progressed, but only one more brief appearance in a game. This season, Kai has been a member of the matchday squad for most games the team has played but has not yet added any minutes of game time. Management obviously has a very favourable opinion regarding his value to the squad and will undoubtedly find a means to enhance his experience over time. Kai is again eligible for U-19’s selection this season but was unavailable for the team during their September matches. He has been selected for the squad assembled for the next set of friendly matches during this break and will be a strong candidate for inclusion when the UEFA group qualification matches take place in November.

Apologies for a somewhat belated congratulations to Aston Villa defender Thierry Katsukunya (2005) for his first involvement with the Villa senior squad with an appearance on the bench for their third round Carabao Cup tie. Previously an academy player with Coventry City, arrangements were made for his transfer just before his sixteenth birthday in November 2021 and he began his time as a scholar the following season. Now a full professional at the club and a member of their U-21 squad, Thierry has also gained experience in UEFA Youth League matches upon Villa’s return to European competition. He has represented Wales at U-18 level as well as being a regular selection for the U-19 team last season.

Another player deserving congratulations is Nottingham Forest midfielder Isaac Davies (2007) upon his receipt of securing a full professional status at the club. Playing regularly for the U-18 team last season as an academy member, he started this season having signed scholar forms in the summer. As soon as he celebrated his seventeenth birthday last month, the club’s management negotiated the new contract which retains his services until the summer of 2027. Isaac has been playing for the U-18’s this season and has been in good scoring form with three goals in the six matches he has played in. He first played for Wales when selected for the U-16 team and played twice more for the U-18 team during the September international break.

[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]