We take a closer look at the lucky nine apprentices to receive youth team contracts for 2009/10-2010/11.

MATTHEW DAVID CARR
Playing Position: Midfield
DoB: 23/12/92
Birthplace: Bury
Matthew was part of the Greater Manchester U16 squad that won the National Championship against Essex at the New Den last month.  A strong, competitive midfielder/defender based in Bury has been attached to our Centre of Excellence for three years.

MATTHEW ANDREW CARR
Playing Position: Midfield
DoB: 24/7/93
Birthplace: Bolton
A competitive midfield player, Matt only joined the Centre of Excellence in November from boys' club football and has done exceptionally well for the U16 and youth team since then despite his lack of experience with a professional club.

LEEROY CHINTHENGAH
Playing Position: Striker
DoB: 11/9/92
Birthplace: Zimbabwe
Leeroy is another member of the successful U16 Greater Manchester Squad who has had regular involvement with the youth team over the course of last season.  A quick and aggressive forward whose talents have come to the attention of a number of Premier League clubs.

ANDREW CROMPTON
Playing Position: Midfield
DoB: 6/1/93
Birthplace: Manchester
Andrew has played regularly for the Youth Team over the course of last season and has proved himself to be one of the best passers in the youth ranks.  A competitive, versatile player who has also played off the front man as well as his normal midfield role.

CONNOR HUGHES
Playing Position: Wide Left/Right
DoB: 6/5/93
Birthplace: Bolton
Connor is a quick and dynamic wing man who again only recently joined the Centre of Excellence from Mosley Common.  He's done exceptionally well to make the transition to the professional level and scored his first youth team goal against Wigan towards the end of the season.

GREG KIDD
Playing Position: Left Back
DoB: 19/9/92
Birthplace: Harrogate
Greg joined the Centre of Excellence from Bradford City in January of this year and has proved to be an excellent find.  He has performed very well in the U18 fixtures in the second half of the season and has a very long throw, which has already proved to be a great weapon in the games he's played in so far.

KIRK MILLAR
Playing Position: Forward
DoB: 7/7/92
Birthplace: Belfast
Kirk has signed for Latics from Irish Premier League team Linfield this season.  He's already played for Linfield's first team at the age of 16 and is a very clever footballer.  He has also represented Northern Ireland's U18 schoolboy team.

SHAUN ROUTLEDGE
Playing Position: Goalkeeper
DoB: 30/12/92
Birthplace: Whitehaven
Shaun was a very late addition to the Latics ranks, having joined only last month following a trial during the Easter break. A tall (6'4"), composed goalkeeper who shows great promise, bearing in mind his late introduction to professional football.  The No. 1 for Cumbria U16's last season.

JAMES TARKOWSKI
Playing Position: Defender
DoB: 19/11/92
Birthplace: Manchester
James has done very well to secure an Apprenticeship, bearing in mind he broke his leg earlier in the season.  He has recovered well and has shown great promise in his U18 youth team appearances in the last month of the season.  Another member of the successful Greater Manchester U16 National Champions.