Duo sign pro deals

SECOND-year scholars Jack Tuohy and Danny Byrnes have been offered professional contracts with Athletic once their apprenticeships finish at the end of the season.

Fellow apprentices George Edmundson, Callum Etches, Eddie Fulwood, Emil Tansinda, Jordache Walters and non-contract player Ben Grant have been told they won’t be offered terms.

Ryan Ellison, who has been injured for the most of the season, has turned down the offer to have his apprenticeship extended into next season and will also leave the club.

A decision on Devante Jacobs and goalkeeper Paul Tyson will be made before the end of the week.

Academy boss Tony Philliskirk said: “It’s very tough for everyone in the youth department at this time of year when decisions are being made on the futures of lads who have worked so hard to try to achieve their goal of earning a professional contract. Unfortunately not everyone will be successful.

“We would like to congratulate Danny and Jack. But they understand they only have their feet on the first rung of the professional ladder and they have a lot of hard work to establish themselves.”