Crewe Alexandra are delighted to have signed 13 talented youngsters to the club’s scholarship programme.

The 16-year-olds have started full-time training at Reaseheath and taken another step closer to their ultimate goal of becoming professionals.

They are: Keeper Mikolaj Lenarcik; defenders Ben Calder, Seb Drummond, Stan Dancey, and Xavier Smith; midfielders Joe Collins, Ben Furlong, Callum Hardy, Will Perry, Josh Ashe, Luca Moore, and Oliver Armstrong; and striker Jordan Hodkin.

Aidan Callan, Academy Manager, said: “The boys have put in years of hard work to earn their scholarships so it is a time to celebrate with their families and be proud of what they have achieved.

“Equally, they have to understand that this is another fresh start for them.  We are giving them a great opportunity and they have to grasp it.”

Over the past couple of years, a strategic decision has been made to take on more scholars than the previous average of 10 per age group. 

That means the Under-18s now boast a 25-man squad – fit to cope with the demands of Professional Development League fixtures at U18 and U21 levels. 

Ben Dickson, Head of Academy Recruitment, has been instrumental in increasing the numbers by capturing players from other academies. 

Callan added: “Many of the boys have been with us right from the age of six, but we have also picked up others along the way - some even at 16, which we don’t normally do. 

“However, nobody is ever signed just to make the numbers up. They have to be good enough, and this group have a wide range of different qualities and abilities. We have high hopes for them.”

Everybody at Crewe Alexandra would like to welcome the new scholars and wish them all the very best for the next two years.