Rovers Youth Given Professional Chances
By Deadly Submarine
May 3 2016
It's been a busy day at Prenton Park with a number of ins and outs amongst the more fringe squad players. Here we round up the happenings throughout Tuesday...
There have been a number of announcements from Prenton Park today as Gary Brabin and his backroom staff, look to re-shape the Rovers squad ahead of the new season which begins in early August.
Just three days out from the final game of the 2015/16 season, the wheels are already in motion ahead of the 2016/17 campaign with three new professional deals, three renewed contracts and three players being released in the past eight hours.
Three Go Pro...
Three of the seven second year youth scholars from 2015/16 have today been offered their first professional contracts with the Club and with it a chance to make a claim for a first team place over the next couple of years.
Daren Askew was the Captain of the U-18’s side this past season and put up a number of excellent performances in central midfield alongside a number of different midfield partners throughout the season, so his professional contract offer comes as little surprise to regular youth game spectators.
Sam Illesnami is the second player to have received a professional contract today after some impressive performances both out wide and also upfront. Despite having a number of injury lay-offs over his two year scholarship, Sam has excellent pace and a good eye for goal.
Tolani Omotola is the name most fans will have heard whether they watch the youth side or not as the striker has bagged goals all season for the U-18’s. Tol always gets into the right positions at the right time which has often resulted in more misses than conversions in front of goal but the potential he has makes is professional contract offer unsurprising.
Speaking of the three new professionals, Rovers Chairman Mark Palios said...
“It’s a big day for Tolani, Sam and Daren and I congratulate them on being offered their first professional deals. Their effort over the past two seasons has paid off, but the hard work really begins now.
“They’ll form part of our development squad for next season and will now join the rest of the first team squad for training each day. Hopefully they’ll continue to progress and will push for places in the first team next season.”
Total Tranmere would also like to congratulate the three players and wish all the best to Paddy Rutter, Jake Hulley, Jay Hunter and Tom Williams who were all unlucky to miss out on deals of their own after being part of one the best youth sides Tranmere have had for a number of years.
Three Leave Prenton Park.....
Whilst three players signed professionally for the first time today, three young players were also released by the Club after all signing professionally themselves within the past three years after coming through the youth ranks at Rovers.
Goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom has spent much of this season out on loan after signing professionally straight out of the youth team at the end of the 2013/14 season and despite a couple of appearances on the bench for Rovers since then, has had limited chances with the first team.
Striker Liam Davies who suffered badly with injuries both before and after signing professionally for Rovers is another player who signed professionally out of the youth side in 2014 along with Ramsbottom. However, like the goalkeeper, Davies has seen first team chances limited and has also spent time out on loan whilst also appearing in Reserve matches for Rovers in the Liverpool and Cheshire Senior Cups.
The final departure today sees central midfielder Ben Jago, who was one of four players who signed a professional deal this time last year, leave the Club. Ben made two first team appearances for Rovers during the 2014/15 season whilst still a second year scholar. After signing professionally he spent much of this season out on loan, first at Hyde United and then Annan Athletic in Scotland, making a total of 29 appearances and scoring once over both of his loan spells.
Total Tranmere would like to wish Sam, Liam and Ben all the best in their playing careers and thank them for their contributions to Tranmere at all levels of the Club.
Three Stay On.....
To complete today’s ins and outs, three players have today signed contract extensions with the Club ahead of the 2016/17 season. All three signed first year professional deals this time last year straight out of the Rovers youth side and have spent time away from the Club on loan this season.
Goalkeeper Luke Pilling has represented Wales at most youth age levels so far and this season spent time on loan at Trafford and Glossop North End whilst also made his Wales U19 debut.
Defender Evan Gumbs spent the first half of this season on loan, firstly at Burscough and then at Trafford before he made a more long-term loan move to Salford City where he helped the side to promotion to the National League playing at both right back and centre back. Evan made more than 40 appearances in total this season whilst out on loan.
Mitch Duggan is a versatile player who during his loan spells this season at Marine and Trafford, has played at right back, centre back and in central midfield. – making over 45 appearances in total.
Speaking of the deals, Rovers Manager Gary Brabin said....
“They’ve developed in their time out on loan and have really benefitted from regular competitive football. We’ve had good feedback from the clubs they’ve been at whom we thank for the part they’ve played in their development.”
Total Tranmere would also like to congratulate the three players and we look forward to seeing them in action for Rovers in the future – hopefully in the first team!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:05:03:16:16:33 by mini_andy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:05:03:12:51:39 by Paz.
That said though. we need a striker and a central midfielder so who knows but my opinion would be a year of experience first - huge well done to all three of them though - a fantastic achievement.
Gutted for one or two who didn't make it who I thought might have done though.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:05:03:14:05:24 by Deadly Submarine.
Unless some one else has come in for him?
Quote:Higgosboots
Never seen him play never heard of him but Maybe he didn't want to be a pro footballer in the non leagues.
What do you mean Higgo? There was no choice in this for the players that haven't turned Pro?
If I've misunderstood what you meant I apologise in advance!
Ramsbottom, Liam Davies & Ben Jago all released.
I'm posting what has been released by the club or the players themselves for discussion. No contacts or idea as to what goes on at the club personally
However if loaning out is required then I'm sure it will benefit the players.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:Matt34
However the argument for loaning out would be strong in league 1, but at NL level perhaps one or two could be in line for a start or two within the first two months, because they are not being asked to develop the level of quality required for a third tier league.
However if loaning out is required then I'm sure it will benefit the players.
Issue with youth at this level is the way they have been brought up, playing in the Conference is a different kettle of fish to being an academy player. Even at Rovers the kids are somewhat spoiled, they play on nice pitches from 8 years of age, everything's disected until your 17 you play 4 quarters and it's all educational football. The adjustment required to play Conference football which I think we all agree is tough as in hard as nails tough and dirty it's not something these kids are used to in fact have ever experienced. I really wouldn't like to blood a youngster at this level in my team, pre season , yep play them against your liverpools and Shrewsburys but when the competition starts they need to take a back seat and go out on loan if nothing else other than to toughen up.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:Matt34
A good argument indeed, yet such players may just be able to adapt quickly, but as I say, if loaning out is the best thing, then it will surely benefit.
Definatley, but personally I'd test them elsewhere on loan first, if they were delivering the goods then a recall can always happen.
Maybe they will stay and add competition for places?
All 3 of the new pro's seem like good grounded lads from what I've seen of them.
Omotola & Norwood up top next season?
Quote:Paz
Interesting comment from Alan Rogers on Twitter yesterday, suggesting that Tol should of been given a chance this season.
Maybe they will stay and add competition for places?
All 3 of the new pro's seem like good grounded lads from what I've seen of them.
Omotola & Norwood up top next season?
Has said former player watched the Youth Team this season? He'll have seen him last season granted but I haven't seen him there this season? How does he form that opinion?
He and another particular former player always seem to have a lot to say on what's currently going on at the Club!
Would the other said player be Humey by any chance? Seen him back Tol a lot too