Thought it might be handy to have a separate thread to discuss our Academy teams.
The u23s kick off today v Newcastle at 12.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/u23s-kick-off-season-at-newcastle-on-friday
We've signed Cole Kiernan and Williams Kokolo from Sunderland so will be interesting to see how they get on.
As well as the players the article mentions we have a number of graduates who have signed professional contracts now:
Hayden Hackney (midfielder) (made one appearance on the first team bench last year)
Daniel Dodds (right back)
Cain Sykes (midfielder)
Joe Gibson (wide midfielder)
Jack Robinson (left back)
Harry Green (attacking midfielder)
Jack Hannah (centre back)
Joe Ridley (striker)
And then in the u18s first year scholar Calum Kavanagh (son of Graham) will be one to watch having already broken into the u18s last year.
2-2 v Newcastle, Liddle and Jones with the goals.
Two unknowns in there, Tyler Williams and Levi Amantchi. The latter appears to be a 19 year old striker who has played for Blyth recently.
good start for the u18s, 3-0 at Leeds. 2 goals for Kavanagh.
U18s lost 3-2 to Derby today, but another goal for Calum Kavanagh
Quite a strong team for the u23s yesterday featuring Bola, Wood, Wing, Coulson. They seem to playing 4-4-2 as well. 2-0 win, goals for Walker and O'Neill.
Thanks for sharing, Phil. Very much appreciated.
Do you go and see these matches in flesh, too COVID permitting?
Up the Boro!
@jarkko I do, though not as often as I would like. Usually at the start of the season to have a look at the new intake.
It's quite fascinating watching the u18s as the u16s tend to be on the pitch next to them, and the crowd is basically a load of parents. Very low key but potentially watching the superstars of the future.
Impressive 4-0 win for the u18s today. A hat-trick for Josh Coburn.
1-0 defeat for the u23s on Friday and a 4-3 win for the u18s yesterday v Newcastle. Another 2 goals for Calum Kavanagh, fresh from signing his pro contract. I noticed he was captain for the previous game which is interesting considering a) he's a forward and b) in the younger half of the group.