It was certainly good news when Coventry goalkeeper Cian Tyler (2002) was selected in the U-21 team starting lineup recently. His return to fitness after a lengthy spell out with injury will hopefully allow him to build up game time and add further experience to what he has previously amassed. After time in the academy and then as a scholar, Cian became a full professional at the club in 2020, playing for the U-21 team as well as gaining first team experience on loan in non-league football. He has also been on the bench more than a half dozen times for the Coventry first team, the first such instance occurring for an FA Cup tie in late 2019. There was then a similar occasion for a Carabao Cup match the following season and for two Championship games in the 2021/22 season. In the 2022/23 season, there were a handful more squad selections for league games taking his total to just short of double figures. Cian played for the Wales younger age grade teams and was also on the bench for the U-21’s in the 2022/23 season. Midfielder Kai Andrews (2006) is one of Cian’s team mates at the club and has been on the bench for most first team games this season but has not added any game time to the two substitute appearances he made last season. Kai was an important contributor for the Wales U-19 team last month as they progressed in the qualifying group of the EUFA championships and will surely be looking forward to the elite round games due to be contested in the spring. Midfielder Ryan Howley (2003) played a couple of times for the Coventry U-21 team at the start of the season before a loan arrangement was agreed for him to join Ayr United for the remainder of the season. He has been playing regularly in the Scottish Championship, either in a starting role or introduced as a substitute. Ryan first represented Wales when playing for the U-19’s in the 2021/22 season and then played in a game for the U-21’s the following season. Goalkeeper Luis Lines (2007) is a second year scholar at the club and plays for the U-18 team along with occasional bench duty for the U-21’s. He played regularly for the Wales U-17 team last season as they progressed through the qualifying rounds and then took part in the end of season finals. He collected more caps when playing for the U-18 team in their early season matches. Eliot Meredith (2008) is a goalkeeping competitor for Luis in the club’s U-18 squad and played for the Wales U-17 team earlier this season, having played for the U-15’s and U-16’s in previous seasons. He began his time as a scholar this season as did midfielder Will Russon (2008), who played for Wales U-16’s last season. Midfielder +Jack James (2007) who has received mention for some good performances this season, is a second year scholar at the club. At present his status is that of being possibly eligible for Wales, and as in all such cases, it will need to be verified before official certification can be confirmed.

With many FA Youth Cup third round games being played in recent days, I have a lengthy list of players to mention. Some have been discussed earlier in the season and the others will have a somewhat briefer account of their accomplishments than I generally employ. Manchester City goalkeeper Max Hudson (2007) played for the U-18 team that secured a win against Crystal Palace. Current Wales U-18 international Max has been playing regularly for the team in his first year as a scholar at the club. Max first played for Wales as an U-15 and was subsequently selected for the U-16’s and U-17’s. Goalkeeper +Marcus Hill (2006) and defender Charlie Walker-Smith (2007) were in the opposing team. Goalkeeper Oliver Lloyd (2008) played for the Middlesborough U-18 team that were eliminated from the competition in a 3-2 defeat. In his first year as a scholar, Oliver has been playing for the team throughout the season. He played for the Wales U-15 team in the 2022/23 season. Brighton and Hove Albion U-18’s was another team to exit the competition, also by a one goal margin. Forward Joe Belmont (2006) played in the game and Henry Kasvosve (2007) was on the bench. Henry, who played for Wales U-17’s last season and the U-18’s in September, only recently joined the club after protracted negotiations for his transfer from Bristol City with whom he had been an academy player for seven seasons. Forwards Elliot Myles and Fin Corke (both 2007) both contributed to a Norwich U-18’s victory, Elliot with two first half goals and Fin with one after entering the game at the start of the second half. It helped them to a 4-3 win against Brentford who had goalkeeper Evan Anderson (2006) on the bench. Evan was selected for a Wales U-17’s training camp in 2022. Wolverhampton Wanderers U-18’s was another victorious team and included goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin (2006) and midfielder Machenzie Bradbury (2007) in their lineup. Mackenzie, a Wales representative since starting with the U-15’s, added to his extensive cap collection when appearing for the U-18’s earlier in the season. They defeated Wimbledon U-18’s, for whom defender +Bailey Cotton (2007), possibly Wales eligible, played. Goalkeeper Casey Sillitoe (2008) was on the bench for the Carlisle U-18 team beaten by their Plymouth counterparts who had +Fletcher Poole (2007) as a starting midfielder. Cardiff City U-18’s will be included in the fourth round draw after a double from second year scholar Daniel Ola (2007) and a single from first year Mannie Barton (2007) provided the goals in a 3-2 win. The forwards along with the remainder of the eighteen player squad are all eligible for Wales selection. Defender Ronan Kpakio (2007) and midfielders Dakarai Mafico and Troy Perrett (both 2006) are on full professional terms with the club. Also in the starting lineup were second year scholars, defenders Alyas Debono (2006) and Jac Thomas (2007) along with midfielders Lennon Talbot and Jake Davies (both 2007). Second year scholars Osian Rees (2006) and Cody Williams (2007), both midfielders, started the game on the bench. I will address first year scholars when discussing fourth round matches. The Bristol City U-18 team were also successful in achieving a place in the next round and defender +Jaiden Foxwell (2006) was in the team. They beat a Sheffield Wednesday team that included Logan Stretch (2006) in goal and forward Will Grainger (2008). Logan, a Wales U-16 and U-17 international, in his second season as a scholar, has played in all but one of the U-18 team’s games this season. Academy member Will has also played in numerous games and is amongst the top scorers for the team. A Wales U-15, U-16 and U-17 international, Will’s birthdate prevents him from being eligible to become a scholar until next season.

Just a brief mention about some Vertu Trophy matches to finish off, and an acknowledgement to Aaron James (2005) who scored his first goal in senior football to secure a Wrexham victory. Burton Albion’s +Josh Taroni (2007) was given another forty-five minutes of first team football in their match, a good indication of his manager’s confidence in his ability to be competitive in senior football. Neil also indicated that Crewe Alexandra midfielder Owen Taylor (2007) is a candidate to be regarded as potentially eligible for Wales. Owen, who celebrated his seventeenth birthday a few weeks ago, has recently signed a full professional contract at the club. He was an unused substitute in their match against Wrexham, but did make his first team debut in an October group match in the competition.

[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]