Oldham Athletic v Harrogate Town

ACADEMY UPDATE
CONTINUING TO MAKE THE GRADE
If the mark of a successful youth set-up is not
only the number of players who graduate onto a
professional contract but also those who receive
first-team recognition based on merit, then there
is added reason for the Academy to be pleased
at present.
Joining the ever-growing list of players to have
featured in senior football over recent years, eight
youngsters have made the step up so far this
season, Joe Edwards and Jim Simms becoming
the latest to make progress with a place in the
matchday squad for the Papa John’s Trophy group
game against Leeds United U21 on Tuesday night.
Edwards and Simms have been rewarded for their
performances in an Academy shirt, following
Kacper Danielewicz, Benny Couto, Harry Vaughan,
Will Sutton, Vani Da Silva and Junior Luamba in
making the jump this campaign.
With a mixture of first year professionals and
second year scholars, it is not only testament to
their individual hard work but also the support
mechanisms in place, the detail provided by a
number of coaches and touch points from the
education side.
Becoming a well-rounded individual on and off
the pitch is a melting pot for chances to make
it in the game and being a club that prides itself
on consistently producing local talent, Latics’
reputation in youth football continues to go from
strength to strength.
“There’s been a robust plan in place now for a few
years and despite changes in personnel, the one
constant has always been to focus on the young
players we have identified and ensure they have
the best possible chance to make it,” said Interim
Head of Academy Conor Marlin.
“By that we mean regular coaching time on the
pitch, the chance to experience the non-league
loan system to gain vital experience, as well as a
first class education support from professionals
who help guide them on what it takes to be
successful in life, not just in football.
“We’ve got to remember these players are still
teenagers who have their full lives ahead of
them so although we ultimately want the club to
benefit by having their own homegrown players to
choose from and sell, we need to make sure the
players’ welfare is first and to make sure whatever
their next chapter is after Oldham Athletic they
are well prepared to face it straight on.”
The Academy’s results so far have been mixed but
with consistency a challenge as the better players
within the group make the step-up, football at
youth level is always about the bigger picture.
“It’s exciting times for everyone connected to
the football club, as the players themselves have
shown they want to grab the opportunity they
have here for two years as a full-time scholar with
both hands,” Marlin added.
“As this season progresses, I’m confident we’ll see
more names come to the forefront of supporters’
minds.
“One thing I’ve certainly been impressed with is
how the fans get behind those who are ‘one of
their own’ and long may it continue, that backing
is one of the biggest factors in their motivation
and is something they talk about for weeks after
around the club.”
2021/22 EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE (NORTH WEST)
Sat 7 Aug Salford City L 0-3 A
Sat 14 Aug Morecambe W 6-1 Edwards (2), Vaughan (2), Da Silva (2) H
Sat 21 Aug Mansfield Town YA Cup D 1-1 Couto (P) H
Sat 28 Aug Fleetwood Town W 2-1 Atkinson, Couto (P) A
Sat 4 Sept Tranmere Rovers L 1-5 Edwards H
Sat 25 Sept Bolton Wanderers YA Cup L 1-5 Williams A
Sat 2 Oct Walsall A
Sat 9 Oct Doncaster Rovers YA Cup A
Tue 19 Oct Rochdale A
Sat 23 Oct Port Vale H
Sat 30 Oct Shrewsbury Town A
Sat 6 Nov Carlisle H
Sat 13 Nov Accrington Stanley H
Sat 20 Nov Blackpool A
Sat 27 Nov Bolton Wanderers H
Sat 4 Dec Preston North End A
Sat 18 Dec Salford City H
Sat 8 Jan Morecambe A
Sat 15 Jan Rochdale H
Sat 22 Jan Accrington Stanley A
Sat 12 Feb Walsall H
Sat 19 Feb Bolton Wanderers A
Sat 12 Mar Fleetwood Town H
Sat 26 Mar Tranmere Rovers A
Sat 2 Apr Preston North End H
Sat 9 Apr Port Vale A
Sat 23 Apr Blackpool H
Sat 30 Apr Carlisle United A
Sat 7 May Shrewsbury Town H
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