Today we welcomed the nine new scholars to SportsDirect.com Park for their induction.
Bailey Whalley – Centre Forward.
Bailey has been at the club since February. Bailey has recently joined us from Blackburn Rovers where he scored 30 goals last season. Bailey shows good awareness in the box and more often than not is in the right place to create chances for the team.
Chinedu Uche - Centre Midfield.
Has had two spells at the club, most recently been here since 2014. A product of the Greater Manchester County team, Chinedu is a ball playing centre midfield player who has already featured heavily for the youth team this season.
Festus Arthur - Central Defender.
Festus has been at the club since the age of 13. Festus is a physical central defender with an imposing figure on the pitch. He has also represented the Greater Manchester County this season who has overcame a long term injury to progress to this level.
Francois Antoine - Right Midfielder.
Francois has been at the club since 2015. Francois has never been in a academy set up and has stepped up well into this environment. This quick winger/midfielder shows good close control and has already featured towards the back end of the season for the youth team. Francois has represented England independent schools this season
Jay Sheridan – Left Back.
New to the club after previously leaving Barnsley FC. Jay is a modern day full back with good technical ability who likes to get forward and join in play. He has shown he has a very good passing range.
Joe Boyling - Goalkeeper.
At the club since March. Joe has recently joined us from Blackburn Rovers and is a local lad. He shows a good shot stopping ability and is very neat and tidy with his distribution.
Ned Dry - Striker/Attacking Midfield.
Ned joined the club from Huddersfield Town in February. He shows very good close control and is a technically gifted player. We think his creativity will bring a lot to our team.
Tom Hamer – Right Back.
Tom has been with the club since 2015. Previously he played grassroots football. Tom has never been involved in an academy set up but shows good defensive qualities. Tom’s ability to win headers all over the pitch was one of the main attributes that saw him offered a scholarship with the club as he shows good defensive attributes.
Tommy Lent - Central Defender.
Tommy has been with the club since 2008. The longest serving member of the academy set up, Tommy is a very quick central defender who anticipates danger well. Tommy has also featured heavily for the youth team this season. Tommy is another member of the Greater Manchester County team.