Quartet to link up with first team
Four second-year Academy scholars from the current batch of Under-18s have been offered professional contracts.On Monday evening, forwards Cameron Gill and Joe Charles, midfielder Alex Byrne and defender Josh Read were all offered deals to join the first team ahead of the 2015/16 season.
However, Dean Billingsley, Dan Hayfield and Charlie Madden – all of whom complete their scholarships this summer – have not been offered contracts.
Academy Manager Simon Hayward said: “It is always a difficult day when our graduates come to the end of their scholarship because it can be a tough time for those that are not offered deals.
“So we are grateful to Dean, Dan, Charlie, and their families for all their hard work and dedication which they have put in during their time with us. We will continue to support them and wish them the very best for their future, on whichever path they choose next.
“At the same time I am delighted that another four of our aspiring young players will have opportunities with the first team and it is a credit to their own hard work and commitment to improvement, as well as a credit to our staff at the Academy and their families which have supported them.
“We are also grateful to the first-team manager and coaching staff for their continued faith in our local talent. The hard work doesn’t stop here – this is just the beginning for Alex, Joe, Cameron and Josh, and their next challenge is to take their opportunities and to follow the paths set by many other successful Academy graduates and to have a long and fruitful career in football.”