The next generation of Town stars were inducted into the academy on Friday evening at the club's Playford Road Training Centre. Town are taking on eight boys ahead of next season.
The Induction Day gave the young players a chance to meet chairman David Sheepshanks and manager Joe Royle. The boys' parents also attended the evening where talks were given by Jim Magilton, former athletics coach Frank Dick and the PFA's Jack Burkett.
The most familiar name amongst the 16-year-old scholars is Aidan Collins who the day after being inducted into the academy was on the bench for the first team. The central defender from Chelmsford has already made a big impact in the reserves and Joe Royle has said he will be in his first team plans next season.
James Krause, from Clare, is a left-sided defender who has been at the club since he was playing for the U13s, while the only other locally-based player is pacy striker Blair Hammond who was a pupil at Stoke High School in town.
Three young Irishmen were also formally welcomed into the academy. Goalkeeper Shane Supple was at the club this season but due to administrative red tape has been unable to play in competitive games.
He is joined by a Cork-born midfielder, Cathal Lordin and Dubliner Michael Synott who is a right-back. Synott and Supple received Irish U16 calls earlier this year.
Highly-rated Scottish striker Liam Craig, a schoolboy international, has interested a lot of clubs but has decided to stay at Town along with central midfielder Fraser Beveridge who is also from the land of tartan.
Although many of the boys have been involved in the Town academy sides previously they are have now full-time scholars.