A name only very recently brought to our attention by Neil is that of Leicester City midfielder Logan Briggs (2005) (eligibility to be confirmed). Recently announced as the winner of the Premier League scholar of the year award, Logan has an impressive trophy cabinet as he can put his newest honour alongside the one received as the club’s academy player winner last season. In his first season as a member of the U-21 squad he has been playing regularly for the team this season, although the task is quite familiar to him, having also done so regularly during the second half of last season. He also had first team involvement when selected as one of the substitutes for a fifth round FA Cup tie. On the assumption that his eligibility is confirmed, he will be a good addition to those under consideration for the Wales U-21 squad next season. Midfielder Oliver Ewing (2003), in his fourth season as a member of Leicester’s U-21 squad, has also been a regular member of the team this season. After captaining the Wales U-16 Victory Sheild team in the 2018/19 season, Leicester negotiated with Fulham for Oliver to move to their academy, and he began his time as a scholar at the club the following season. He made good progress, earning a professional contract as well as making a couple of bench appearances for the first team in the 2021/22 season European matches. Injuries have been disruptive in Oliver’s development at the club, in particular one that occurred a month or so into the 2022/23 season and did not see him return to full fitness until a few weeks after the start of last season. He will hope that such issues do not recur as he strives to feature in first team football matches, be that at his parent club or possibly on loan. Collecting caps throughout the age groups, including a couple of times for the U-21’s, his eligibility for other than senior international football has now expired. Regular first team football would be a step in attaining the possibility of future Wales caps.
    
Another piece of news that Neil alerted us about a few days ago was of Norwich City forward Fin Corke’s (2007) move into the full professional ranks after accepting a contract the club presented to him. Fin began his time as a scholar at the start of the season and so is to be congratulated for the impression he has made and moving on from that short lived phase of his career. Another player who began as a scholar at the same time as Fin, is goalkeeper Jack Ruddy (2007) who was capped by Wales when playing for the U-16’s in 2023. Both have been regularly involved with the Norwich U-18 team this season as has defender Jaiden Owen (2006) who represented Wales U-16’s in 2021/22. All three are likely to be in the U-18 squad that will be competing against Brentford when they contest an FA Youth Cup tie next week. Also eligible to represent the club in that game is Elliot Myles (2007). Attacking midfielder Elliot was mentioned earlier in the season after making his first team debut when making a substitute appearance in a Carabao Cup match. He has remained involved with the first team making numerous bench appearances in Championship matches. Most of his game time has accumulated playing in U-21 contests but may well be selected to assist the younger development team next week. One player who cannot take part in the youth cup game next week is Alex Roberts (2005). He completed his time as a scholar last season and has now become a full professional and a member of the U-21 squad, playing for the team this season.   

Goalkeeper James Pradic (2005) was on the bench for Preston North End in their Championship match at the weekend, his second first team occasion after having a similar situation last season. Highly regarded at the club, James is in his fourth season with Preston, his first two as a scholar and then continuing as a professional. He has gained a lot of first team experience on loan at non-league club Bamber Bridge over the last two seasons and has pleased that team’s fans with his performances. James has played for Wales teams from U-16 through to U-19 level and will be a candidate for U-21 squad selection next season.
    
In a third round FA Youth Cup game that ended up tied after extra time, it required a penalty shoot out to determine a victory belonged to the Millwall U-18 side. On the bench for the start of the game was fourteen year old academy member Ralphie Beckwith (2010), who was substituted in for the last fifteen of the hundred and twenty minutes played. Midfielder Ralphie played for the Wales U-15 team earlier this season. The central defensive partnership for the game was Will Sweet (2006), who first played for Wales at U-15 level and then gained caps for the U-18’s last season and the U-19’s in friendlies a few months ago, and Brayden Clarke (2007). Branden warranted a mention earlier in the season after his performances at the club and internationally when a member of the U-19 squad that successfully negotiated a UEFA qualification round. First year scholar Alex Marciniak (2008) was not included in the squad for the game. Not an unusual occurrence, as clubs tend to select second year scholars for such games, particularly, ones like Arsenal who have a very large squad of scholars. Midfielder Alex has regularly featured for Wales at U-15 and U-16 levels previously and has done so for the U-17’s this season. He will no doubt feature in future FA Youth Cup matches.
[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]