In my last blog I pontificated about the difference between youth development under Neil Critchley and Simon Sadler and the same thing under Ian Holloway and Karl Oyston.
What this article seeks to do is work out one key thing: Who are all the kids we're signing? Where do they come from? What do they offer?
It's raining in the cricket and so I've nothing better to do than correct my ignorance of the future stars of tomorrow by obsessive googling in the hope it will help me follow their progress over the next few years and add another level to the rich tapestry of joy that is every minute of following the greatest club in the history of the game.
New to the club:
Sebastian Wyllie (left back) - scholarship: He's from South Croydon. He has (according to 'football talent ID' and Manchester United regional scout Aleksander Kuye)
"a technically gifted player with an abundance of talent" who was part of Hackney based Onside Academy player development programme. Sebastian Wyllie (left back) - scholarship: He's from South Croydon. He has (according to 'football talent ID' and Manchester United regional scout Aleksander Kuye)
James Harrison (forward/winger) - scholarship: This one is a bit confusing as he was trailed on twitter this week, but according to facebook, he was offered a scholarship in Dec 2019. That aside, he's a Sunderland lad.
Nathan Tshola: - midfield (pro deal) - He's from North London and is a midfielder. I found a lovely description of him scoring a "25 yard shot that was impossible to stop" for his school team and setting up a goal for Islington and Camden in a junior FA Trophy. Also part of the same 'Onside Academy' as Seb Wyllie and is described as have had an outstanding trial.
Tayt Trusty: (attacking midfield) - scholarship: Easy to find a bit about as he has a fantastic name that makes me want him to make it for that reason alone. He was captain of the North Kent district schoolboy team and appears to support Arsenal. Another Onside Academy graduate.
Arnold Matzhahi - winger (scholarship) - One of the few who've come from 'somewhere' as opposed to 'nowhere.' He's an ex MK Dons junior and has already played and scored in front of decent crowds and has an instagram highlights video.
Cameron Hill - Defender (pro deal) - An ex Dinnington Town (somewhere near Rotherham...) player who was a year into a 2 year scholarship with Salford City (whose youth team were top of their division). He also qualifies for the USA national team and was previously on the books of Lincoln City.
Luke Mariette - midfielder - scholarship: Hailing from Rhyl, was on the books of Liverpool when he was very young and more recently turned out for Wigan Athletic age group sides.
The other players we've signed up for the academy for the season ahead have come from within.
Joe Strawn - midfielder (scholarship) Described as an exciting attacking midfielder he also plays cricket for Great Eccleston.
Michael Fitzgerald - defender (scholarship) - Don't know where this lad hails from but was on the books and playing for the u-18s last year.
Alex Machlaclan - Goalkeeper (scholarship) who also featured several times for u18s last year. One thing my research turned up is his parents both appear to be classical piano teachers!
Will Squires: defender/midfielder (scholarship) A previous winner of 'most outstanding player' (foundation phase) and a local lad. Described as versatile.
Finally, Cameron Antwi graduates from within to link up with the first team squad:
An ex Fulham player who featured in the Premier League u18s the season before last. Antwi is from London but also qualifies for Ghana via his parents. There are some mystifying videos of him training when at Fulham on YouTube and a nice little 'best of' compilation from the clubs Twitter account.
🎥 After signing his first professional deal, we thought we would give you Seasiders a glimpse of your new addition, Cameron Antwi.— Blackpool FC Academy (@BFCYouthAcademy) July 5, 2020
Good luck to all of them!
UTMP
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