Next season’s new intake of full-time scholars were inducted into the academy today. Eight of the 10 had previously been schoolboys with the Blues’ youth set-up.
The eight — central defenders George Fowler and Travis Cole, full-back Harry Daly, midfielders Kundai Benyu and Chris Smith, winger Ronaldo Jones and strikers Sam Ford and Nick Ingram — are joined by New Zealand U17 international Monty Patterson, who has been at the club since January having initially been expected to start a scholarship last summer and centre-half Myles Kenlock, from Croydon, who was previously with Crystal Palace and joins as a second-year.
All 10 were at Playford Road today to sign their two-year scholarships and meet manager Mick McCarthy and academy director Bryan Klug, while their parents were shown around the facilities.
Town’s academy is aiming to step up to category one status ahead of the new season and recently underwent an audit. The club should know whether they have been successful by the end of May.