Town’s academy scholars are due at Playford Road for the start of pre-season training today. Midfielder Byron Lawrence, who made his first-team debut on the final day of 2011/12 at Doncaster, is amongst the new intake of first-year scholars joining the club full-time.
The youngsters will be put through their paces by returning academy director Bryan Klug and the rest of his staff as youth football goes into the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) era.
Russell Osman’s U18s play their first pre-season friendly at Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday 14th July (KO midday) with their season proper is due to kick off on Saturday 18th August, the same day as the Championship campaign.
Paul Jewell’s senior squad are due back for the start of pre-season training on Thursday, although a number of players have already been at Playford Road.
Meanwhile, the club are advertising the job of head of academy recruitment through the Football Managers’ Association. Current academy recruitment manager Malcolm Moore is retiring this summer at the age of 65.