Northampton Town have confirmed that seven of ten second year players from the club's successful Academy have been offered or have signed professional contracts.
Jay Williams, Morgan Roberts and Camron McWilliams from the group had previously signed professional contracts with the club, and terms have now been offered to Bradley Lashley, Ryan Hughes, Jack Newell and Scott Pollock.
BRADLEY LASHLEY
A goalkeeper who has spent some time with Wellingborough Town on work experience this season.
RYAN HUGHES
A Mawsley based left footed central defender who, after a spell with St Neots Town on work experience, made his first team debut at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. Ryan joined the Northampton Town Academy in 2011.
JACK NEWELL
A local midfielder who joined the club as an under 9. Spent time at Corby Town on work experience and was named in the first team squad on Saturday.
SCOTT POLLOCK
A Northampton born midfielder who made his first team debut at Cambridge United in January, also spent time on loan at St Neots Town and previously played for Hashtag United. The first player to come through the club's Football & Education programme to play for the first team.
JAY WILLIAMS
Jay, who can play in defence or in midfield, is a Northampton born player who attended Kingsthorpe College and has already made 13 first team appearances.
MORGAN ROBERTS
A Northampton born player who attended Northampton School for Boys, Morgan joined the Northampton Town Academy as an under 10 player and progressed through the system. Recently won a call up to the Wales under 21 squad.
CAMRON McWILLIAMS
Another Northampton born player, Cam became one of the first pair of brothers to play for the club since the 1930s when he played with his brother Shaun in a Checkatrade Trophy tie in November 2018. He joined the Northampton Town Academy as an under 13 player and spent time on work experience with Corby Town.
"It is unusual to offer seven players out of ten professional contracts but that is a sign of how highly we rate these players," said manager Keith Curle.
"Most of them have already played for the first team and we see potential for them to be able to develop further.
"It is a huge tribute to the infrastructure of the club, and to the Academy, that so many local players are coming through in to the squad, it helps the club's identity and it helps the supporters identify with these boys, many of whom are Cobblers supporters too.
“The Academy has been a huge success story for the club in recent times and our plan now is to ensure these young players have the best possible opportunity to continue to develop and to become first team players in time.
“With that in mind we will be recruiting an additional member of coaching staff in the summer who will come in with particular responsibility for the young players.
"Of course, the players know only too well this is where the hard work starts. They all know they need to continue to improve and develop and competition for places will continue to be very tough next season, but for now we congratulate the boys, their families and the staff in the Academy for their work.”
Head of Academy, Kieran Scarff added, "I knew when I arrived that this was a very strong Academy, but to see seven boys come through from one year group is very, very exciting.
"The club are continuing to invest in the Academy to give young players the best chance of becoming professional players, as the recent appointment of a full time Sports Scientist and a full time Analyst illustrates.
"We offer our warmest congratulations to the players concerned. The Academy and the first team squad work very closely and the pathway is very much open. The lads know they have a big fight on their hands to break in to what will be a strong first team on a regular basis but that is a challenge I know they will relish. They are very proud to be Northampton Town players and the club are very proud of the young men they have become."
Jon Brady, under 18s coach, said, "Having worked with these boys over the last few years, I know how much ability they have and the first class attitude they have. Seven out of ten is a very high number of professional players and not only is that a tribute to how hard the boys work, it shows how much faith Keith Curle and the first team staff have in the Academy here and the young players at the club.
"Of course, there are three players leaving us and we wish them well. We will take them through our exit programme and do all we can to get them fixed up."
The three players not offered terms are Jack Daldy, Joe Jarvis and Matthew Slinn. The club would like to thank all three players and their families for their hard work and commitment during their time as Northampton Town players and wish them every success with their ongoing careers.