Big youth squad for next season

Last updated : 28 May 2010 By Tony Scholes
There has been something of an inbalance in recent years regarding first and second years, but with a bigger intake for the new season it will re-balance things whilst giving us a much bigger squad.

And this news follows last week's changes regarding a development squad that will include some of the youth players, which further boosts the club's commitment to producing young footballers.

Today we confirmed that there would be ten first year apprentices, with no less than seven of them having come through the club's own centre of excellence. Included in this group is goalkeeper Ben Woodhead who should have started last summer but had his progress halted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Fit again he will now begin his two year apprenticeship.

The others having come through the centre are goalkeeper Josh Cook, defenders Tom Anderson and Alex Coleman and midfielders Steven Hewitt, Archie Love and Alex Mullin.

There's a familiar name in Alex Mullin, nephew of former Claret John and son of current Morecambe striker Paul. The others have all been seen in the youth team during the 2009/10 season with Anderson having played regularly. Coleman is also starring locally at cricket and is currently playing in the Lancashire League with Haslingden.

Joining them are three other players, two of whom we've already confirmed at Clarets Mad. One is Australian defender Aryn Williams, brother of former loan player Rhys. The other two come from Ireland, forward Shay McCartan from Northern Ireland and winger Adam Evans from the Republic.

Director of Youth Martin Dobson said: "I am excited about next year with the quality of players that are going to be registered to scholarships at the start of next season.

"I am delighted that seven of them have been with us for several years with the centre of excellence and they deserve their chance.

"We know the standards are going up every year and with that in mind we have also drafted in the two players from Ireland and Rhys Williams' brother Aryn.

"It's a learning process for them all and we look forward to working with them to help them fulfil their potential here at Turf Moor."

As is the case with the first team, they will report back on 1st July with youth coaches Terry Pashley and Andy Farrell.

The 2010/11 Apprentices

First Years: Tom Anderson (defender), Alex Coleman (defender), Josh Cook (goalkeeper), Adam Evans (winger), Steven Hewitt (midfielder), Archie Love (midfielder), Shay McCartan (striker), Alex Mullin (midfielder), Aryn Williams (defender), Ben Woodhead (goalkeeper).

Second Years: Stephen Edwards (defender), Joe Jackson (striker), Mehdi Lazaar (forward), Dave Lynch (midfielder), Joe McKee (midfielder), Dean Overson (defender), James Taylor (striker), Tom Taylor (midfielder), Ed Williams (defender), Ross Wilson (), Curtis Woods (defender), Neil Yadolahi (defender).