Ten new scholars have been signed up at Preston North End ahead of the 2023/24 season, and Head of Coaching Michael Stringfellow gives us an insight into what you can expect to see from them over the course of the next two years.
Ayden Garrigan - Midfielder
“Ayden signed in the U16s from Everton. He’s a really good athlete with great athletic endurance. He can play at right wing back or in the midfield areas as well. He’s come into the group late but he’s a great character so he's fitted in straight away. He’s got a really good mental capacity to push his teammates on and he’s got the capability to kind of drag people through games.”
Dylan Gairns - Forward
“Dylan signed as an U12. He’s a Manchester-based centre forward who’s really good at holding the ball up. He’s really dangerous in and around the box, and he likes to manipulate the ball and get shots on target. I think centre backs find it really difficult because he’s got one of these work ethics where he doesn’t give them a minute to rest.”
Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile - Forward
“Felipe signed in the U15s and the first thing I’d probably say about him is that he’s a goalscorer, as people saw in the FA Youth Cup. He’s got that natural ability to be in the right place at the right time; he’s very cool and composed in pressure moments. His journey’s been accelerated and the thing that stands out for me is he’s a really good character in and around the dressing room.”
Harry Stringfellow - Midfielder
“Harry signed as an U9. He plays kind of a sitting midfield role but can also play further forward. He likes to handle the ball under pressure and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. I’d say he has a good football intelligence.”
Jonny Brindle - Defender
“Jonny signed for us at U9s. He’s a left-footed wing back who can also play left-sided centre back. His major strength is his athletic endurance; he’s a really good runner. Away from football he’s done a lot of cross country and ran for district teams so he’s a really good athlete. He’s a footballer who does the simple things really well and also chips in with quite a few goals from set pieces as well.”
Max Wilson - Midfielder
“Max signed in the U9s. He’s a really tenacious midfield player who can play pretty much every role in that midfield department, sitting defensive or attacking midfield. I’ve not seen many opponents get the better of him and he’s really good traveling with the ball. He chips in with goals from midfield, too.”
Peter Critchley - Defender
“Peter signed in the U9s as well. He’s a local lad and a Preston North End fan so he’s been watching all the way through. He’s a right-footed centre back with a no nonsense attitude. He does the stuff that nobody else wants to do, but he also likes to defend. He’s got an attitude of defend first which is going out of the game now so he really adds a lot to the team.”
Theo Carroll - Forward
“Theo signed in the U9s. He’s an attacking midfielder or a centre forward. He has a good ability to hold the ball up if he’s playing up top and can bring others into play, and also if he’s playing as a ten he’s got a good ability to receive the ball on the back foot and play in between the lines.”
Theo Mawene - Defender
“Theo signed in the U12s. He’s a player who can play numerous positions. He can play at centre back, wing back, as well as in midfield. Technically he’s really comfortable on the ball, I’d say his biggest strength is he’s willing to take risks that other players are maybe not willing to take. He’s a really exciting player to watch.”
Troy Tarry - Defender
“Troy signed in the U15s from Manchester City. He can play at right wing back and he’s very attack minded. He's great in one-vs-one situations in and around the box, and he’s technically very good coming from Man City. He’s a player who puts you on the edge of your seat when you watch him because he creates opportunities to score but also chips in with goals as well.”
Everyone at Preston North End would like to congratulate the new scholars and wish them the best of luck for the next two years.