Star track - the next generation

CLASS OF 2011 . . . from left, back row: Tony Philliskirk (Head Of Youth), Luke Wandless, Luke Simpson, John Guy (physio). Centre: Danny Gosset, Joe Edwards, Chris Sutherland, Tom Jones, Mick Priest (coach), Alan Hardy (chief executive). Front: Carlton McIntosh, Jack Poxon, Joe Cooper.

NINE potential stars of the future will aim to emulate the likes of James Tarkowski and Carl Winchester.

That is the number of new players who have been handed two-year scholarship contracts starting next season.

Athletic manager Paul Dickov has shown through the twin examples of centre-back Tarkowski and right-back or central midfielder Winchester that he is prepared to give youth its chance in the first-team ranks.

And head of youth Tony Philliskirk's latest intake — many of whom have already tasted life in the under-18s, seven of them coming through from the club's centre of excellence — will aim to do exactly the same in 2011-12.


The latest recruits are:

Luke Simpson (from Heywood). Position – goalkeeper: Already played for the youth team and featured in the game at Shrewsbury on Saturday. A highly-rated stopper who came close to joining Manchester City, Simpson ended up committing to Athletic despite strong interest from a number of other clubs.


Tom Jones (North Wales). Position – right-back: Appeared for last season's reserves as a 15-year-old. The Shrewsbury youth team game was his first in six months after he overcame a back problem which physio Jon Guy is confident he has now overcome. An attack-minded full-back.


Joe Edwards (Liverpool). Position – left-back: Another player who has enjoyed plenty of action with the youth team as a schoolboy this season, Edwards is a quick full-back with a good left foot.


Joe Cooper (Oldham). Position – centre-back or full-back: Has had a lot of involvement with the youth team since Christmas, putting in some highly-impressive performances in that time. A Saddleworth School pupil, Cooper is a defender with pace.


Chris Sutherland (Middleton). Position – right wing: A dynamic wide player with a lot of pace, Sutherland attends Crompton House and has been a regular in the under-18s lately.


Danny Gosset (North Wales). Position – centre midfield: Geography has prevented Gosset from playing too much so far, but he did turn out at Shrewsbury. A strong player in the middle of the park, Gosset is good on the ball and has an eye for goal.


Jack Poxon (Chadderton). Position – centre midfield or centre-back: Standing six feet tall, Poxon netted his first goal for Athletic in the under-18s' draw at Shrewsbury. A tough player with a great attitude to the game.


Luke Wandless (North Wales). Position – attacking midfield or striker: Came to the club from Everton after being released by the Premier League club at Christmas. Picked up on a tip-off, Wandless was a defender, but has so far instead been used in a role further upfield where his technical ability has come in useful.


Carlton McIntosh (Oldham). Position – striker: Surprisingly released by Burnley at the end of last year, this strong, quick and direct forward has already shown his big potential in the last month and played for the reserves against Wrexham this week. Was a prolific scorer for the Boundary Park Juniors club.


ATHLETIC'S youth team earned a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town in their Football League Youth Alliance fixture.
A side featuring five schoolboys, with three more emerging from the substitutes’ bench, fell behind to a neat lob after hitting the post through Luke Wandless.

After the break, substitute Joe Edwards set up Jack Poxon for the equaliser.