Seven youngsters will join Blackpool's U18 squad next season
Seven youngsters have been named as new first-year scholars at Blackpool.
Blackpool have confirmed the arrival of seven new scholars who will join Matthew Blinkhorn’s U18s squad next season.
All seven of the youngsters played for Blinkhorn’s side in last season’s EFL Youth Alliance campaign and will be keen to make further strides in the upcoming season.
Goalkeeper Freddie Bourne joined Blackpool as an under-12 and has progressed through the ranks, having featured in a handful of matches for the U18s this season.
Blinkhorn told Blackpool’s website: “Freddie is a goalkeeper with a big physical presence, standing at 6ft 4in.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Freddie into the full-time environment.”
Ethan Park is one of two arrivals from Morecambe this season and can play in either the centre of defence or midfield.
“He shows a calmness and composure to his game with the ball and likes to break lines with forward passes,” Blinkhorn said.
Wing-back Cian Pawson has been with Blackpool since U9 level, having grown up as a Seasiders supporter.
The left-sided player is on his way back to fitness, having been injured for much of the second half of the season.
Another player to have been with the Seasiders from U9s onwards is midfielder Henry Jones.
He had started a few games for the U18s until a knee injury brought an early end to his season, with Blinkhorn keen to see how he progresses.
“He has really kicked on over the past two years,” he said of Jones.
“He is an energetic midfield player who plays with bravery both with and without the ball.”
Fellow midfielder George Hockenhull is another of the new faces, having progressed through Blackpool’s age groups from U10 onwards.
Hockenhull has already started a number of U18 matches with Blinkhorn adding: “He is a creative player who likes to dribble and play with freedom.”
Another midfielder to have been with the club since the U10 age group is Luke Schofield.
Blinkhorn explained: “Luke is a gifted, technical player who can show an array of different passing ranges.
“He has shown versatility in his position over the past season. He has played a significant amount of football for the U18s this season.”
Completing the seven scholars is striker Nathan Hart, another arrival from Morecambe amid interest from a number of other teams.
He is another player to have grown up as a Blackpool supporter, becoming a regular scorer at U16 level in addition to having a number of starts for the U18s.