Preston North End have handed eight first year scholarships to players from the Centre of Excellence as the youth team look to push on from their double winning season.
Conor McLaughlin, George Miller, Neil Dougan, Jamie Proctor, Jamie Douglas and Sam Hart were all handed professional contracts at North End last season and the youth department have another crop of promising youngsters coming through the ranks for next season.
Two of next season's second year scholars Dom Comrie and Bailey Wright were both included in the first team squad towards the end of the last campaign and Jamie Hoyland welcomes eight youngsters into the youth side who have already experienced senior football with the Lilywhites.
Will Hayhust, Naim El-Harrati, Doyle Middleton, Reece James, Jordan Watson, Jordan Bent, Matt Dudley and Luke Clark have clocked up a number of youth team and reserves team appearances between them since Christmas and the youngsters have been awarded with two year scholarships at Deepdale.
Below is a little bit of information on each of the scholars:
Will Hayhurst is a left winger who impressed with his performances in the reserve team last season and the youngster has been a season ticket holder in the Sir Tom Finney stand for the past three seasons.
Naim El-Harrati is another player to have featured in the reserve side and the Billinge born central midfielder has already built up quite a CV, boasting spells at Manchester City and Manchester United prior to joining North End.
Another central midfielder who has impressed is Doyle Middleton who was recommended to Preston by his P.E. teacher. The defensive minded midfielder has also had a spell at Manchester United and aspires to be like Roy Keane, among other United players.
Many would have heard of Reece James who is the younger brother of midfielder Matty James. Left back James though made his reserve team debut last season in a 5-1 victory over Morecambe and the youngster believes that this experience has already aided his development with the Lilywhites.
Jordan Watson, who has also enjoyed a spell with the Red Devils, will be pushing Dom Comrie for the number one jersey next season and the Blackburn born goalkeeper prides himself on his shot stopping, distribution and kicking.
Naming his favourite memory at the Club so far as the youth team's FA Youth Cup victory at the Stadium of Light, Jordan Bent is a winger who possesses lots of pace and plenty of ability from wide positions.
Another local lad to come through the ranks at North End, Matt Dudley notes his proudest achievement to date receiving a scholarship with his hometown Club. The striker's biggest strengths are holding up the ball and Dudley aspires to be like former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer.
Luke Clark has spent the majority of his youth football at former Club Everton prior to joining the Lilywhites in a bid to secure a scholarship. The versatile youngster plays either full back or central midfield and Clark prides himself on his range of passing and tackling ability.
