George Cooper made the leap straight from first year scholar to professional, whilst Perry Ng, Fraser Murdoch, Callum Saunders, James Jones, James Baillie & Callum Prichard-Ellis were all offered deals after the completion of their scholarships.

With the first team squad now back in training after the summer break, the influx of young blood will be hard at work mixing it with the experienced pros trying to catch the Manager’s eye.

Collins told crewealex.net: “The majority of the first year pros have been here since they were seven or eight years of age, so we’ve known them and their parents for a long time. It’s always exciting to see them train with the first team and make that step into a professional level.

“It’s always good to see a good group come through, especially a tight knit group like they are, and hopefully they’ll enhance the professional ranks.

“These lads now need to work hard and realise they haven’t cracked it. I think sometimes when you get your first professional contract, you think you’ve made it – but it’s actually when the work really does start.

“It’s hard to break into that eleven and into that team, but when you do you’ve got to work hard to stay in there. There is always another step to climb to keep them on their toes.”