I'm a big Clifton fan but I said earlier this year that I could 22/23 as his final season with us, that's part of his and our development.  I also think Khouri really steps into his shoes and goes onto be better.  Again, that's part of our development. Every time someone leaves (be it our or their choice), it's about making sure that the next version is better.

this post got me thinking - obviously all the under 18s were released in May, so has there been any news on who has come in or progressed to make up this year's squad?

I think I saw a post somewhere that said none of them were up to scratch for a pro contract.  Could be wrong tho.........

No academy players were offered terms, not sure if ots the first time I've known it happen tbh, but obviously Hurst deemed none of them good enough or even potentially a good enough prospect.

Quoted from forza ivano

I'm a big Clifton fan but I said earlier this year that I could 22/23 as his final season with us, that's part of his and our development.  I also think Khouri really steps into his shoes and goes onto be better.  Again, that's part of our development. Every time someone leaves (be it our or their choice), it's about making sure that the next version is better.

this post got me thinking - obviously all the under 18s were released in May, so has there been any news on who has come in or progressed to make up this year's squad?

The second year YTs would have all been released, the first year YTs are now the second year YTs and some will have been promoted from the U16s to be first year YTs, probably supplemented with a few released from other clubs. That's how I understand it to work but could be completely wrong

I think the club has done a feature once or twice about who has moved up from the U16s but I don't think it's a given. There'll probably be some on here who know lads offered YT terms

Quoted from immariner

The second year YTs would have all been released, the first year YTs are now the second year YTs and some will have been promoted from the U16s to be first year YTs, probably supplemented with a few released from other clubs. That's how I understand it to work but could be completely wrong

I think the club has done a feature once or twice about who has moved up from the U16s but I don't think it's a given. There'll probably be some on here who know lads offered YT terms

that was what I was trying to get at; who's come up ( to become the new Clifton) and who's been brought in (to become the new Khouri!)

Can't be easy for the youngsters getting released but pleased Neil Woods is in charge of the academy. Good fella who will help ease the pain of rejection. Rejection can be heart wrenching and I've read it's one of the hardest things a manager has to do especially if the lad has the spirit for the professional game but not the ability.

The number of u16s from the GTFC Academy offered a YT was higher than usual - seven. And they will be 1st year YT's this season. Unsure if any u17s from elsewhere have been recruited or not, but taking 7 of our own on certainly lessens the need to do so.

Fully agree regards Khouri, despite the packed options in there I think he still emerges as a genuine asset over the next 12 months.

I suppose the trajectory lines point to either young Bramwell, Braithwaite, Tomlinson or Essel as the next to pick up the mantle of promising talent.

Bramwell and Braithwaite arguably at at disadvantage because of numbers ahead of them in central defence and central midfield respectively.  Essel and Tomlinson have got less competition up top (at the minute) and wouldn't be surprised to see them get chances out wide to start with, probably coming on in games.

Our transfer policy this summer looks more progressive and with long-term thinking behind it, so I hope that's mirrored in the time we give to our own home-grown talent.  It appears we're not going to have loads of young Academy loanees sitting on the bench so hopefully our young professionals will get a bit of game time.

Bramwell seems to have really filled out and looks older/grown up. Was the only one that got a run out yesterday too, hows he looking? have never seen him play before..

Quoted from sam gy

Bramwell seems to have really filled out and looks older/grown up. Was the only one that got a run out yesterday too, hows he looking? have never seen him play before..

Saw him play at Eastleigh at the end of the 2021-22 season (game before the playoffs where we rested most of our regular starters and Mani scored a hat-trick). Even though it ended 4-4 I actually thought Bramwell looked pretty impressive at CB and was relatively solid and composed for a young player making his league debut. Don't think any of the 4 goals we conceded were directly his fault (Ollie Battersby was in goal and had a bit of a mare)

Think it was Bramwell who put in the meaty challenge that led to Pyke's first goal last night.  

Other than that he didn't really have a lot to do in all honesty. Rodgers, of the two centre-halves, stood out as he was clearly more confident and stepped forward a bit.  But he didn't put a foot wrong either, you can only play what's in front of you.  I suspect him getting a chance over the others was more down to a relative lack of options at centre-back in comparison to other positions.  With Mullarkey able to play centre-back, I imagine he's seen as fifth choice in Hurst's mind.  The Newcastle lad who's rumoured to sign, Alex Murphy I think, could knock him down a place  but there are plenty of games to play this season...

Has Jaz Goundry been released?

Quoted from sam gy

Has Jaz Goundry been released?

Yes, saw him play a couple of times at Lincoln Utd whilst he was out on loan and to be honest he didn’t stand out. Nor did Tomlinson when he played for Clee Town over here but Essel showed some potential but looks like he will struggle for game time so needs to get out on loan and bang some goals in to get noticed.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Yes, saw him play a couple of times at Lincoln Utd whilst he was out on loan and to be honest he didn’t stand out. Nor did Tomlinson when he played for Clee Town over here but Essel showed some potential but looks like he will struggle for game time so needs to get out on loan and bang some goals in to get noticed.

will be interesting to see where they end up on loan. I'm hoping that we will see them being loaned out to conference and conference north teams to test them at a decent level

Quoted from Rick12

Can't be easy for the youngsters getting released but pleased Neil Woods is in charge of the academy. Good fella who will help ease the pain of rejection. Rejection can be heart wrenching and I've read it's one of the hardest things a manager has to do especially if the lad has the spirit for the professional game but not the ability.

I have a friend who was released by a clubs youth system when he was 18. All he ever wanted to do was be a pro footballer and he was absolutely devastated when he was released. He felt a failure through rejection and it took him quite a while to get over it. I would like to think clubs, ours included, have systems in place to help young lads get through the emotional effects of being released.

Quoted from rancido

I have a friend who was released by a clubs youth system when he was 18. All he ever wanted to do was be a pro footballer and he was absolutely devastated when he was released. He felt a failure through rejection and it took him quite a while to get over it. I would like to think clubs, ours included, have systems in place to help young lads get through the emotional effects of being released.

It's all levels Rancido as you know. I remember talking to someone who loved his football and he said  the lad in question was a  star in his local youth Sunday league side. He got picked up by a professional club in league 1 some years back and at their academy there were players better than him. He was a cocky lad by all accounts but got taken down a peg a two and his confidence also was deflated as he wasn't a big fish no more.