+Ben Challinor (Peterborough United) born 2004, Midfielder.
In his second season as a scholar at Peterborough, Ben has played in all but two of the U-18 team’s games, having a starting assignment each time he has played. He was also playing for the team last season, but I do not have access to statistics that allow me to be any more specific. Additionally, this season he has made six substitute appearances for the U-21 team. With the season at its completion, his eligibility in the scholar ranks has ended and so a decision will be made as to whether Ben moves on to become a member of the U-21 squad. Judging from what has transpired over the last nine months, he is seemingly a strong candidate to be offered professional terms and be retained at the club for next season.

Finlay Corrigan (Ipswich Town) born 2005, Forward.
A first year scholar with Ipswich this season, Finlay has missed a significant portion of it through injury. When available he has been involved with the U-18 team and played in some games for them. Unfortunately, lack of information does not allow me to be any more specific. As a schoolboy he was in the Wales squad that contested the 2019 Cymru Cup matches and then played for the U-15 team in the 2019/20 season.

+Finley Cotton (Millwall) born 2004, Midfielder.
Although the statistics I can locate are somewhat sparse in detail, I can say that Finley played for Millwall’s U-18 team when still an academy associate in the 2020/21 season. After becoming a scholar at the club in the summer of 2021, he has seemingly been a regular member of the U-18’s during the past two seasons and this season has also accumulated a dozen appearances for the U-21 team. I think it is an appropriate statement to mention that he has had a successful time in his two seasons of full time employment with the club and there must be a good possibility of being offered a professional contract to remain with them.

Jaydon Fuller (Brighton and Hove Albion) born 2005, Forward.
In his first season as a scholar with Brighton, Jaydon appeared in most of the U-18 team’s games in the first half of their schedule. He has not played in any games in 2023 but I do not have an explanation for it. It may be that an injury issue has compromised his availability but that is a speculative comment on my part. Last season, Jaydon was a member of the Wales U-17 squad gathered for an early season training camp and friendly match. It was organized as preparation for the European U-17 championships, and he was also a member of the squad that successfully qualified from the preliminary stage of the tournament. He was then a member of a large group attending a training camp as preparation for the elite round games.

+Zac Greenwell and +Paul Kyffin (Rochdale) born 2005, Midfielders.
Both Zac and Paul are second year scholars at Rochdale and are members of the club’s U-18 squad. They helped the team reach the third round of this season’s FA Youth Cup at which point they were eliminated by a strong Fulham team, that succeeded courtesy of a last minute winner in the tie. Paul was also rewarded for his good form at that level with selection for an assignment with the first team squad. He was on the bench for a couple of the club’s Papa John’s Trophy matches but did not get the opportunity to make his first team debut. Although there is confidence of their Welsh eligibility, as you know, verification at an official level is required for a final confirmation of that fact.

Ethan Hartness (Southampton) born 2005, Defender.
After being affiliated with the Southampton academy teams for some years, this season is the first for Ethan to be a scholar at the club. Occasionally involved with the U-18 team during its first half, he has been regularly so latterly and played in most games either as a starter or sometimes a substitute. His intention will to be regularly involved with the team throughout next season as he attempts to refine his skills and demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is worthy of a professional contract and thereby a retention of his services by the club. As a young schoolboy in the summer of 2019, Ethan was a participant in the Cymru Cup games and then played for the Wales U-16 team in a friendly match against England in the spring of 2021.

I will digress a little and offer congratulations to the Wrexham football club for their achievement of promotion back to the Football League.
More appropriately in terms of what I try and offer with my weekly contributions, is the addition of another avenue for young Welsh players to try and forge a career in professional football. The Wrexham academy system in past times was well renowned for producing very good young players and there are strong indications that a return to that facet of the club’s philosophy is included in future plans. They have already recruited quite a few young Welsh professionals as a supplement to their main squad and that provides an encouraging sign. Re-establishing the academy will not be a quick process, but hopefully, in time it will once again flourish.