Under-18 shadow squad given London Midland boost
The players and staff of the Luton Town Cedars Football Development Programme were delighted to show their thanks to London Midland for their continued support and sponsorship through an on pitch presentation at our last home game against Morecambe.
Cedars Head Coach Stuart Smith invited the rail company’s head of communications Francis Thomas, and fans Dale Warren and Alan Frost, to Kenilworth Road to watch the game and meet Luton Town Cedars players Cody Gray and Louie Burn. As shown in our picture Cody and Louis presented London Midland with a shirt signed by all the staff and players.
London Midland provides free rail travel for a number of the Cedars squad, who train at the School in Leighton Buzzard, as part of their community support programme.
Francis Thomas, Head of Communications at London Midland said: “We are passionate about supporting communities in the areas we serve, and I am delighted that we are able to help local youngsters realise their dream.”
Head Coach Stuart Smith added: “The support and sponsorship of London Midland for this programme is vital, it allows us to bring lads on to the programme from further afield. Meaning we get the best players possible in to the club and not just the best players in our immediate catchment area.
“This programme is one of a very small number in the country that offers a joint Football / A-Level Programme giving players the opportunity to study for a minimum of three A-Levels whilst training for eight hours a week under the guidance of Luton Town ‘A’ Licence Coaches.
“At Luton Town we are breaking the stereotypical vision of a footballer by developing intelligent young players who are also technically excellent. Benji Crilley, Gabriel Oakley, Sean McMonagle, Callum Gregory and Luke Dunstan have been afforded the privilege of day release from Cedars over the last year to allow them to train with the Clubs Pro Scholar Under-18 squad. Proof that genuine exit routes back into the Professional Game exist at Cedars.”