Since Clifton and Wright have recently been given long contracts with the first team, I thought I would start a Youth Team Watch for the possible GTFC players of tomorrow. Feel free to put forward your own suggestions!

Brandon Buckley

Signed: 2017
Position: Midfielder/Striker

The grandson of Alan Buckley, Brandon Buckley has played a significant number of the Youth Team games this season and has featured in some reserve fixtures. He has captained the Youth Team on several occasions and went on to win the Player of the Year Award for the U18's. He has proven himself as someone who can both create chances and score goals.

Rumarn Burrell

Signed: 2017
Position: Striker

Rumarn was the Youth Team's top scorer this campaign, bagging 16 goals for the U18's, plus two more for the reserves. He was nominated for the U18's Player of the Year, but lost out to Brandon Buckley. He has been nominated for the LFE Goal of the Month award (voting closes on Tuesday, vote here: https://www.lfe.org.uk/goal-of-the-month/goal-of-the-month-may-2018). A Youth Team stalwart last season, he is certainly one to watch in the coming campaign.

Mattie Pollock

Signed: 2018
Position: Defender

Mattie is the son of ex-Middlesbrough and Man City player, Jamie Pollock. He is a towering defender who played for the Youth Team for a large amount of last season, despite only being 16. Even though he was playing up he year, he did not look out of place. Mattie won the U16's Player of the Year award, and it would not be a surprise if we saw him being offered a First-Team contract before the end of his two-year scholarship.

When do we learn of wich (if any) youth players have been promoted this season?

Ollie Battersby

Signed: 2017
Position: Goalkeeper

Ollie was also nominated for the U18's Player of the Year award. He is a tall 'keeper with a good reach. Featuring as the Town U18's number one this season, Battersby pulled off some wonder saves, notably saving a top corner penalty against Mansfield Town in the Youth Alliance Cup. Don't be surprised if he ends up being the understudy to McKeown soon.

Quoted from sam gy

When do we learn of wich (if any) youth players have been promoted this season?

From what I have heard, none will be. The outgoing second years were the last lot to have been recruited when we were still in the conference, if my memory serves me right, so I think part of it is about quality. Not 100% sure though

Reese Jahoo

Signed: 2018
Position: Striker

A bit of an unknown entity going into the new season, Reese is coming all the way from North Carolina. He is said to have scored many goals in his native country, but he may struggle to break into the side if Buckley and Burrell start the season in the fine form they ended the last one in. It is probably still worth keeping an eye on him though!

Wouldn't it just be easier to post a link to either the Youth team on the official site or the academy website?

E.G. https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2018/april/meet-the-new-scholars/

a ragtag bunch of us have a 5 a side session one night a week and there are a couple of acadamy players who occassionally pop down...wont name them but one is U-14 this season, the other a little younger....both are very neat players, not fussed about getting stuck in against players twice/ thrice or more their age.......but... they do play with an intelligence as well, especially when not in possession,which is good to see.
How they stack up ability wise against others of the same group/ age i have no idea in all honesty but both have the makings of decent little footballers.

Quoted from Cloudy

Wouldn't it just be easier to post a link to either the Youth team on the official site or the academy website?

E.G. https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2018/april/meet-the-new-scholars/

you could but info on there is sometimes limited, especially below U18s level, will put link to academy website in anyway: http://www.gtfcacademy.com/

Good thread this and it would be great if can start seeing the youngsters progress to the first team. Also what a dream if we have another Buckley leading Town to success in the future.UTM

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Good thread this and it would be great if can start seeing the youngsters progress to the first team. Also what a dream if we have another Buckley leading Town to success in the future.UTM

The Youth Team is looking strong going into 2018/19, they will be a good shout to win the league (got their highest finish since 2010's relegation last season, with 5th). Brandon is certainly good enough to be playing at this level in a year or two in my opinion. I think its a shame that Rumarn Burrell doesn't get the same amount of attention though, he is easily on the same level as Brandon, and could be a good goalscorer in future.

Quoted from Hannilowe

The Youth Team is looking strong going into 2018/19, they will be a good shout to win the league (got their highest finish since 2010's relegation last season, with 5th). Brandon is certainly good enough to be playing at this level in a year or two in my opinion. I think its a shame that Rumarn Burrell doesn't get the same amount of attention though, he is easily on the same level as Brandon, and could be a good goalscorer in future.

You cant have too many goalscorers. Cant we get game time elsewhere where they can show their talents

Would be good to keep this thread going throughout the season to see how they’re getting on.

Quoted from TheGoalKipper

You cant have too many goalscorers. Cant we get game time elsewhere where they can show their talents

They both played a few times for the Reserves, I think the same will happen again this year. I know both scored a couple for the reserves also. Cant see them getting contracts earlier than the end of the 2018/19 season when their scholarship finishes, so the best place to see them would either be at a reserve game, or at a YT game

This should be made a sticky thread in my opinion, so we can talk about progress made as the season goes along.

If we have enough quality to win our youth league I would rather see some of the standout performers depart on loan and be challenged.

Quoted from Hannilowe

They both played a few times for the Reserves, I think the same will happen again this year. I know both scored a couple for the reserves also. Cant see them getting contracts earlier than the end of the 2018/19 season when their scholarship finishes, so the best place to see them would either be at a reserve game, or at a YT game

The old saying if they are good enough then they are old enough. Town have had Drinkell,Lund,Wilkinson,Clare,North,Lester,Taylor,Bore,Rowan all play and score for the first team whilst in there teens after coming through the ranks Lets hope these two lads get added to the list.UTM