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After Leeds United negotiated his transfer from Cardiff City in the summer of 2022, midfielder Charlie Crew (2006) began his time as a scholar at the club that season. Initially playing for the U-18’s, he secured a place in the U-21 team by mid-season and continued playing regularly for them for the remainder of it. Last season was a continuation of those duties excepting for appearances for the U-18’s in the FA Youth Cup during their progress to the final. As the season drew to its close, he had three occasions of bench duty for the first team. He has been considered a member of the first team squad this season and has had a further ten bench appearances before making his first team debut this past weekend when introduced for the waning moments of the match. Although it lasted only a few minutes, he almost made an impact by scoring, but for a fine save that prevented the ball from hitting the back of the net. It is the first step in what will hopefully be a continuing process of gaining experience as the season progresses. How much he will be utilized is dependent on management decisions as they focus on the priority of achieving promotion. There can be no doubt that the coaching staff have complete confidence in the ability to contribute when required. Familiar to most Wales supporters as he has been included in a couple of senior squads in recent times, it does seem to be just a matter of time before he becomes a regular and important member. We may have to exhibit a little patience in the meantime.

A member of the Wrexham and then Wolverhampton Wanderers academies as a youngster, midfielder Tom Sparrow (2002) moved on to Stoke City, becoming a scholar at the club shortly after. He did well enough during those two seasons to earn a professional contract in the summer of 2020. Playing regularly for the development team over the next two seasons, he eventually made his first team debut when given a starting assignment for the final Championship match of the 2021/22 season. He was then a member of the first team squad for the first half of the following season with plenty of bench appearances as well getting playing time on three occasions. In the January transfer window, he was loaned out to Scottish Championship side Hamilton Academicals, playing regularly for them for the remainder of that season. His time in the Potteries ended at the conclusion of last season as the club decided not to retain his services. Scottish Premier League side Motherwell were the beneficiaries of his availability, signing him during the summer on a two year contract. An agreement that has seemingly suited both parties, Tom has already accumulated double digit appearances. With most of them substitutions, a couple of recent starting roles seems to indicate that he has settled well at his new club and that he will become increasingly involved in the coming months. Tom has featured for Wales teams in various age group categories including twice for the U-21’s.

Exeter City central defender Ed James (2004) was again in the starting line-up of last week’s Bristol Motors Trophy match as they maintained their winning record in group games and progressed onto the next round of the competition. He has played almost the entire three games except when he was substituted out for the last few minutes of the first one. An academy player and then a scholar, Ed became a full professional when awarded a three year contract in the summer of 2023.
    
Two more goals for the U-18 team at the weekend, continued Hull City forward Zac Jagielka’s (2007) prolific scoring record this season as his next successful conversion will take him to a double figures total. Previously attached to Liverpool as an academy member, Zac moved to the Humberside club in the summer, starting his time with them as a scholar this season. It seems to have been a move that has suited him. and the coaching staff must surely be delighted with his contributions that have been important in securing winning results for the team. Zac represented Wales when he played for the U-17’s last season.

First round matches in this season’s FA Youth Cup began to be played in late October as League One and Two teams joined those from non-league clubs who had progressed from earlier qualifying rounds in the competition. Quite a few Wales eligible youngsters have participated in the matches that have taken place up to this time, and I will mention some of them in this article. Former Everton academy member Marlie Neil (2008), now a first year scholar with Huddersfield Town, along with his teammates suffered the disappointment of elimination when a goal in added time in their game provided the margin of victory for the opposition. This week, midfielder Marlie is playing for the Wales U-17 team competing in the preliminary group stage of EUFA qualification matches. He previously played for Wales U-15 and U-16 teams. Accrington Stanley goalkeeper James Rodgerson (2006), Lincoln City defender Noah Simmons (2007) and Barnsley midfielder Owen Warburton (2006) all played a part in producing happier outcomes for their teams as they successfully moved on to the next round. Wrexham’s U-18’s will also be involved in second round matches after a very late goal in extra time decided the outcome. In an evenly contested match, good saves and timely interventions prevented other scoring opportunities. Defender Dafydd Edwards (2007), midfielder Hari Roberts (2007) and forward Rio Owen (2006) were all starters in the team. In another very even match, two late second half goals eliminated Newport County from the competition. All but a couple of the squad selected are Wales eligible players, the most prominent being defender Nelson Sanca (2006) who featured quite a few times for the first team last season when injuries to senior players had depleted the squad.

[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]