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To read all last season blog posts scroll through posts on the young guns page
Scott Banks (Crystal Palace), born 2001, Midfielder Scott was a member of the playing staff at Dundee United when Palace became aware of his potential as a possible contender for future first team involvement at their club. In the January 2020 window they negotiated terms and his transfer took place at that time. He was assigned as a member of the U-23 squad at the Eagles and returned to Scotland when a loan arrangement with Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic was agreed. He played a few games for them before the season came to an early end. He had previously gained first team experience when loaned out to Scottish League Two side Clyde in the 2018/19 season and had also played for Dundee United in League Cup games in the early part of last season. This season he has been playing regularly for the Palace U-23's, making enough of an impression with his displays, that informed opinion believe that it is only a matter of time before he is given an opportunity at first team level at the South London club. Scott is of course a recent addition to the ever growing list of good quality players who are eligible to represent Wales teams, grandmother, from Newport, Gwent. The notation by Neil of his name being amongst those informed of being on the standby list for the Wales U-21 squad earlier in the month, confirming the fact.
Edward Jones (Stoke City), born 2001, Defender As a schoolboy, Edward was on the books at Everton and at that time was involved with Wales teams at both schoolboy and U-17 level. He however moved on to Bury to become a scholar with them, but as the second season of his time in that status was about to get under way, the demise of the club placed him in a situation of not having a team to play for. This was only an issue for a short period, as Stoke soon signed him and he played regularly for their U-18 team last season. He not only was given the means to complete his time as a scholar, but also produced displays to convince management to retain his services as a member of the U-23 squad this season. He has been playing regularly for that team in this first half of the season and his aim now will be to work his way toward first team football at some point in the future. Not an easy task of course, but the obvious dedication and determination Edward has applied to overcome some setbacks that have occurred at times, will certainly be a valuable trait that could be helpful for him.
Jacob Jones (Swansea City), born 2001, Defender Jacob has been associated with the Swans since he joined their academy as a nine-year-old and is now a first year fulltime professional at the club. He completed his two years as a scholar at the end of last season and had performed well enough for the U-18 team to persuade the management team to retain his serviced beyond that time. Starting to play for the U-18 team as a schoolboy in the 2017/18 season, he was a regular member of the team the following one, but injury issues made him unavailable for a part of last season. This season he has been a regular member of the U-23 team after having made a few appearances in that situation during the last one. In the November international break, Jacob was on duty with Wales as a member of the U-20 squad playing what was thought at the time to be a preparation match for the delayed (and since that time cancelled) U-19 elite tournament. I'm sure that he will not only want to establish himself to be considered for higher levels of competition in club football but also impress national selectors for future Wales teams.
George Rounsfell (Newcastle United), born 2001, Defender A regular member of Newcastle's U-23 team this season, George had similarly appeared for the club's U-18 team over the previous two seasons and doing well enough to carry on his association with them, having been the recipient of a fulltime professional contract in the summer. As is the case for every Geordie with an interest in football, his objective is to wear the black and white striped shirt on the St James Park pitch in a first team capacity. The quality of George's footballing skills are such that he is able to pursue that goal in real terms rather than in the hopeful dream fashion of most of his contemporaries. His ability has been valuable to the Newcastle teams he plays for, as he is not only a very capable defender, but can also operate comfortably in a defensive midfield position, as has occurred multiple times when the coaches have assigned him to that role. George attended Wales training camps as a schoolboy, part of the large and very talented 2001 birth year group that has produced a fierce competitive element to squad selection for the national teams. A continuation of the excellent progress he has been achieving will see him get even stronger national honours consideration in the future.
Ethen Vaughan (Norwich City), born 2001, Defender After playing once for the Norwich U-18 team as a schoolboy, Ethen started his time as a scholar with the club in the summer of 2018. In his first season of that status, he played in almost all of the games the U-18 team played. An injury sustained last season curtailed his appearance tally significantly. He was unavailable for a couple of months, only returning to fitness just before the early termination of the season. Management however, had no hesitation in their decision to retain his services and so he is now a member of the U-23 squad at the club. He has been playing regularly for the team this season as well as for the U-21 team entered in the EFL Trophy competition. Ethan's first involvement with Wales teams occurred in May 2019 when he was a member of the U-19's training camp group, organized as preparation the for the following season. He was then selected in the squad for a couple of matches in the early weeks of the 2019/20 season and earned his first cap at that time. Norwich have produced a couple of talented full backs in their development system in recent times. They have gone on to show their capability of performing in the higher levels of the game and Ethen is working hard to try and become one to continue that trend. page posted: Fri, 4 Dec 20 :07:40 refresh for updates [ scroll down to post your comments ]
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