Club 31/05/2013
Four Academy Graduates Take Step Up
Raith Rovers FC is absolutely delighted to announce that the cream of the youth academy crop have joined Grant Murray’s squad on two year full time apprenticeships.
Ross Matthews (17 year old midfielder), Liam McCroary (16 year old midfielder), Callum Robertson (16 year old striker), and David Bates (16 year old defender) all signed contracts last night.
Speaking after the signings, Youth Academy Director Hugh McCann enthused, “I am delighted that the management team and board have seen fit to afford this opportunity at the football club. The promotion to a full time apprenticeship is a marker placed now for every young player within the academy and indeed future players. They will recognise that there is a development pathway to allow the progression of young players in a studied and defined manner. These talented lads have all benefited from their own and collective team performances allied with a capacity to learn over their final season at youth level. I can only wish them every success on the path they have chosen. I hope to see them all fulfil their dreams as they continue their development.”
Welcoming the quartet, manager Grant Murray commented, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the guys and I am delighted to have Ross, Liam, Callum and David aboard. Paul, Laurie and I look forward to working closely with them and helping them develop further.”
On behalf of the board of directors, director Tom Phillips added, “These are important signings for the club. The board has made a conscious decision to set aside separate funds to ensure that we are able to help support these apprenticeships. Credit must go to Hugh McCann and his coaches whose hard work has developed these boys to the standard where we think they are ready to progress. It’s also important for the Academy itself, for its current players and for youngsters who may enter the Academy in the future, that there is seen to be a real career pathway to follow here at Raith Rovers. ”