Apparently, Conor Townsend is the only second year junior to be offered a contract, all the others have been released and some of the first year professionals are also being released. Does anyone know much about who's who in the juniors and how many players are actually on their way? Someone pointed out on here that Billy Ward had just been released, but it looks like there could be quite a few more that have moved on.
What about Danny Wilkinson? I went to school with him. I saw him doing ball boy duties last Sauturday, I would be suprised if they let him go, he was sent out on loan a few months ago.
Apparently, Billy Russell thinks this is the worst bunch we've had for a few years and the lads coming through are much better.
Ouch! Not encouraging is it? (For them I mean, if they wanted to go to another League club for trials/etc).
The only youth players that stood out for me are Holohan, Wilkinson, Emerton and Ajala. Although I think Ajala is on a full time contract.
Tommy Tiger those player you mention are first year pros not youth, they (except Ajala) were members of the really good squad they had in 2009/10 that did very well.
do me a favour no. 1. Message me your source would you. I am obviously interested in this news. As a side issue, and no offense to billy russel as i dont even know the bloke, but with so few successes to his name, how has he kept his job so long? Whilst he has been in post, its hardly been a never ending sausage machine production line has it?
Confirming what has already been said, the likes of Emerton and Wilkinson are first year pros, suspect we will find out later what's happening to them. Keep an eye on the Juniors through websites tho don't go and see them. Have heard that the current crop are pretty poor hence only one offered a contract and their mixed results against lower divisional teams. Apparently the under 16s (first year juniors next year) are pretty special. Think that include Max Clark? who has played for England U16s
It looks like there's been a massive cull, according to Liz on vital, of the 1st year pro's (Steve Gardner, Mark Oxley, Danny Emerton, Daniel Wilkinson, Gavan Holohan, Dean Deagle, Danny East, Joe Fox and Sonny Bradley), only Gavan Holohan is getting a new deal. It also looks like all the 2nd year youth team have been released, with the exception on Connor Townsend. If it's true, I'm surprised that we've let Emerton, Oxley and Bradley go. The new batch of 16/17 year olds are apparently in a different class to the lads who are being released.
I don't think all those you mention are getting released, two or three will get new contracts and I know the younger ones are said to be good but then the youth team that produced the 1st year pros were very good as well. I think something is wrong with the reserve system in that the lads don't get a look in on first team and must be continually disheartened by the fact that Pearson keeps bringing in 18/19 year olds from other clubs and is very good at giving them encouragement and direction but does not seem to do the same for our young ones coming through for City.
Yeah must say ive been a fan of emerton and bradley when ive seen them play. Thought pearson must have saw something in emerton when he included him in pre season, also hes had bradley on the bench in a game or two hasnt he, due to injuries?
