Quite aside from the usual intake of scholars which happened last week, the new Academy regime seem determined to explore different options which is refreshing to see.
First incoming signing at youth level was goalkeeper Zach Lee (see lead photo). It will be a bit of a fairy story if the youngster goes onto have a successful career with the Blues. The team Milnthorpe Corinthians was not one known to me at all until the news of Lee’s arrival broke. That team play in Division One of the West Lancashire
Football League and narrowly avoided defeat to Division Two thanks to the arrival of Lee late in the season. So from the 11th (almost the 12th) tier of the Football League structure to training every day at Finch Farm is the stuff of dreams, no wonder he’s smiling (below):
Zach had previously had stints at Wigan Athletic and non-league Barrow and Kendal Town, so all credit to the recruitment staff if he turns out to be a good find. He’s not has any squad involvement yet although he turns 20 years old in October and has been bought specifically for the Under 21s.
It could well be an indication that his arrival will free up loan departures for two talented Under 21 ‘keepers George Pickford and Douglass Lukjanciks whilst also giving himself the opportunity to show what he can do against better opposition than he has faced thus far.
If he needs any inspiration, Lee should take heart from the fact that at the age of 20 there was a young goalkeeper plying his trade at non-league Winsford United whilst also working as a hod carrier on a building site, a bin collector and a waiter. His name was Neville Southall (below), the best Everton goalkeeper I have ever seen. He signed for the Toffees under Howard Kendall 2 years after that and made 578 first team appearances!
There are two other trialists that are at the club presently. Nothing new in that although the trend in recent seasons has been to take trialists in towards the Spring when they are on the pre-release list at other clubs. Of course some trialists pass and others fail or have other offers so there’s nothing guaranteed.
Trialist One who we can pretty safely name as 18 year old Ollie Dewsbury (pictured below). He is a talented left-winger from League Two Bristol Rovers (he’s still officially their player) and has been allowed to train with the Blues whilst they assess next steps. If I’m correct he was in the Blues’ Under 21s starting X1 against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night.
Trialist Two we can again pretty safely name as central midfielder Jamel Beggs (see picture below) who, up until the end of June was a player for Tottenham Hotspurs Under 18s. He was on their release list which, at the age of 18, can be a severe blow to a young player but he appears to have an opportunity to impress with the Blues and I am guessing he won’t be the last trialist! It may have been him named on the U21s bench at Shrewsbury.
Meanwhile, with certainty, there was a recent promotion for one of the Everton scholars, Rocco Lambert (pictured below) who made the step up into professional football with the Toffees. I have seen a little of him and can say he is a very confident attacking right back (we’re overflowing with them at youth level ironically). He was one of 3 players offered professional terms including the now departed Demi Akarakiri and fellow midfielder Melvin Matos. We have yet to hear about Matos.
Good luck to them all.
