First year scholars join experienced second years
The Hatters’ welcomed nine new faces to the training ground on Wednesday morning when the Under-18s returned to for pre-season training.
Youth team manager Paul Driver has an initial squad of 17 players to choose from with the nine new first-year scholars joining the eight second-year scholars who enjoyed such a fine end to last season’s Youth Alliance campaign.
The new recruits consist of goalkeeper Craig King; defenders Lee Hawkes and Lucas Perry; midfielders Osamu Allman, Isaac Galliford and Luke Trottman; and forwards Ekene Amadi, Daril Nwgala and Tuki Tayali.
They join an experienced group of second years, most of whom have played for the Hatters’ development squad in the past 12 months.
Goalkeeper Ben Barnes – who was an unused substitute for the first team last season; defender Tinashe Chabata; midfielders Charlie Smith - who has already made his first team debut - Arel Amu, Leeroy Maguraushe and Ian Rees; and strikers Zane Banton and Jemale McKenzie-Lowe.
The whole squad is made up completely of players who have been developed solely by the Hatters’ youth system.
The youngsters begin their pre-season friendly programme with a trip to Brentford on Tuesday 9th July.
Full Under-18s pre-season schedule:
JULY
9 Brentford (a) 11am
13 Colchester United (a) 11am
18 Cambridge United (H) 11am
27 Leighton Town (a) 3pm *
30 AFC Rushden & Diamonds (a) 7.30pm *
*Both of these fixtures will be against senior opposition.
A full assessment of the season ahead for the Under-18s with manager Paul Driver will be posted on the official website later this week.