please log in to view this image The Academy welcomed its latest intake of youngsters with eight players present to sign two-year scholarships at a special event held at the KC Stadium on Thursday night. The induction evening was an opportunity for the youngsters to celebrate their achievements with proud family and friends, while they also listened to inspirational speeches from Academy Manager Tony Pennock, Head of Academy Coaching Jon Beale, Head of Sports Science and Medicine Frankie Hunter and Head of Education Matt Murphy. The group of 15 & 16-year-olds come from a variety of backgrounds, with some having spent a number of years at the Academy already, while others have only joined the club in recent months. With members of their respective families watching on proudly, the class of 2016 sat down with Pennock and Beale to commit themselves to the Academy for the next two years. Our new scholars are: Josh Thacker, Elliot Holmes, Ahmed Salam, Charlie Andrew, Mason Wilson-Rhiney, Brandon Fleming, Billy Chadwick, Bailey Prudhoe and Max Sheaf (not pictured).
I assume we've signed him from Newcastle, there's quite a few references to a Durham born lad who was on their books, but I've no idea if he's any relation.
Billy Chadwick is one of the most exciting youngsters we have at the minute, He's worth watching if you get a chance.
'Tis true. I was going to write Bloody Sandancer but that would have meant even more bells, klaxons and lights, whilst being more inaccurate and more unintelligible to them there southern folk from 'Ull.
I have always thought of Washington as a 50/50 split of Tyne and Wear support, but a mate pointed out that a survey gave the Newcastle support the edge (strangely enough, a crowd I sometimes share a teatime drink with just about bears that out), so old Prudhoe might be a Magpie who has sold his journeyman soul; young Prudhoe is a Bishop Auckland lad, a midfielder with promise and probably a Magpie, too. There's no black and white around here, unless . . .
Academy quartet Ben Hinchliffe, Ellis Barkworth, Daniel Batty and Luke Lofts have put pen-to-paper on their first professional contracts. Following the completion of the second year of their scholarships, Hinchliffe and Barkworth have signed two-year deals, whilst Batty and Lofts have penned one-year agreements. All four players featured at Under-21 level in the Development Squad’s impressive 2015/16 campaign, which saw Tony Pennock’s side finish third in the U21 Professional Development League 2 table as well as being runners-up in the U21 Premier League Cup. Hinchliffe played a significant role in the second half of the Under-21 campaign, scoring four goals in 11 starts and a total of 23 appearances. Barkworth - who can play in the middle of defence or midfield - made a total of 10 appearances at Development Squad level, whilst central midfielder Batty featured on 15 occasions. The versatile Lofts, who can play out wide, up front or in the number 10 role, made five appearances for the Under-21s this season whilst also being a regular at Under-18 level, scoring six goals in 25 games. Speaking after all four players signed their professional contracts, Academy Manager Pennock said: “All four of these boys have earned their first pro contracts and for that I would like to congratulate each and every one of them. “No-one at this club gives contracts out that aren’t deserved and a lot of hard work and commitment has gone in by all four of them to get into this position. “It’s always nice when you see the youngsters you’ve been working so hard with progress to professional status. “However, they all still have aspects of their game that they need to work on and it is our aim to continue to aid and assist them with their development next season and beyond. “This is the start of the next challenge for them and the hard work starts all over again, because they have to start fighting for their next contract now.” please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
