page updated: Fri, 6 May 22 : 07:52 : refresh for updates
To read all last season blog posts scroll through posts on the young guns page Aaron Bennett (Preston North End) born 2004, Midfielder. Initially as an academy player and then a scholar, Aaron has been an important member of Preston’s U-18 team. He did sustain an injury in an early season game, one that has required a lengthy recovery process and he has only recently returned to full fitness and playing duties. I am sure that it was concerning for him to be sidelined for such a long period during an important time as a second year scholar, but fortunately he has performed well enough to be offered a professional contract at the club and will move on to the next level of development football next season. Aaron played for the Wales team in the 2018 Cymru Cup games and then for the U-15 team in the 2018/19 season as well as being a member of the co-champion Victory Shield squad the following season. He will be hoping for selection for next season’s U-19 squad.
Josh Carey and Corey Hurford (Swansea City) born 2004, Midfielders. First year scholar Josh was an academy member for a couple of seasons after previously being affiliated with Chester. He played a few times, mostly off the bench, for the U-18 team last season and has appeared in over half their games in this one. Corey is a new addition to the Swans playing staff having been signed from Briton Ferry in January. Brought to the club after impressing the coaching staff playing in a wing-back position, he has shown his versatility by playing in an attacking role for the U-18’s and making goalscoring contributions. Josh was involved in the 2018 Cymru Cup matches and then played for the Wales U-15 team in 2019. Corey will be a member of the U-23 squad next season and be hoping to make enough of an impression at club level to catch the eye of the national coaching staff in the future.
Josh Esen (Wolverhampton Wanderers) born 2004, Forward. Signed by Wolves soon after the start of the season after impressing the scouting staff when playing at his former club Llanelli Town, Josh has made good progress this season, his first of two as a scholar at the club. He has adapted well to the demands at the elite level of youth football and has played in most of the U-18 team’s games. His intent will be to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is capable of playing at the next level of development football as soon as possible, as he attempts to secure a full professional contract with the club. Josh’s good performances earned him selection for the Wales U-18 squad this season and I’m sure he will want his first association with teams at a national level to be repeated in the coming years.
Owen Hampson (Sheffield United) born 2004, Defender. After being affiliated with Manchester United as an academy player, Owen decided to move on and join the Yorkshire club to become a scholar with them. He has done well at his new club and has been involved with the U-18 team all season, regular assignments in the starting side having been a feature during the second half of it. He will want to build on his achievements as he becomes a second year scholar next season, developing his game in a hope of getting an opportunity at first team level at some point in the future. Owen was selected for a Wales U-17 training camp squad last season. Kyle Kenniford (Cardiff City) born 2004, Midfielder. A half dozen appearances for the Cardiff U-18 team last season was good preparation for Kyle as he started his time as a scholar at the club this season. He has played in half of the team’s games as he tries to establish his future path in the game. Kyle played in the 2018 Cymru Cup matches. Cardiff are presently experiencing the benefits of a successful youth development programme, with an abundance in both quantity and quality of talented youngsters, some progressing sufficiently to supplement the first team squad. Hopefully, it is a trend that will continue to flourish and help propel the club to a successful future.
Terrence Miles (Liverpool) born 2004, Defender. A first year scholar with the Reds, Terrence was a starter for their U-18 team in double digit appearances last season and has played in almost all of their games in this one, certainly an impressive statistic at a club with highly regarded development programme. Terrence was selected for the Wales 2019/20 Victory Shield squad but withdrew from it before the games were played. It may be his preference to pledge his loyalty to England and if so, was rewarded with selection for their U-18 squad this season.
Ethan Morgan (Newport County) born 2004, Forward. In his second season as a scholar at County, Ethan has been playing regularly for the club’s U-18 team, having also often been a member of their matchday squad last season. Newport have recently expanded their development programme as they intend to find a means of supplementing their first team needs from within the club. Hopefully they can develop a successful formula and through it provide a means of improving the finances at the club. Ethan and a sizeable number of other scholars, about to conclude that part in football, will now be awaiting news regarding their futures.
Matthaeus Roberts (Arsenal) born 2004, Midfielder. A first season scholar with the Gunners, Matthaeus has played in about half of the U-18 team’s games this season and has become increasingly involved as it has gone along. He will want to build on his present achievements next season and establish himself as a regular starter in the team. Matthaeus’ first selection for Wales occurred for an U-16 development squad in the 2019/20 season. After the pandemic disrupted the international calendar for youth teams, he has continued his association at national level with inclusion in last season’s U-17 training camp along with this season’s U-18’s autumn training camp and spring friendly match squads.
page posted Fri, 6 May 22 :07:52 : refresh for updates
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