Six aspiring footballers have begun their football apprenticeship at Plymouth Argyle FC.
The club recruited the six new players onto apprenticeships for their under-18 squad.
Plymouth Argyle, whose men’s first team was promoted to the Championship after winning League One during the 22/23 season, have signed up a goalkeeper, two defenders, a midfielder, a forward and a wing-back to the top level of their academy system.
They have joined the under-18 squad for a two-year football apprenticeship, starting with the 2023/24 season.
Among the cohort is goalkeeper Dan Holman from Tavistock, and defenders Jensen Ireland and Joel Sullivan, both Plymouth lads, who went to Ivybridge and Devonport High schools, respectively.
Midfielder Cole Fisher, also from Devonport High, and forward Joe Hatch, from North Devon and who has represented Wales at the under-17s level, along with Harry Shield, a wing-back who was released from Southampton and was with Plymouth Argyle for the conclusion of last season, complete the group.
All six players have finished their GCSEs and will now be part of under-18s coach Darren Way’s squad for the forthcoming campaign, as the first year of their two-year football apprenticeship.
Plymouth Argyle academy manager Phil Stokes has this to say about their achievements and what they can expect on their football apprenticeship: “It’s a fantastic achievement for all of the players and their families.
“This is the next step on their football journey, where they go from a part-time training model to a full-time training model.
“The programme is not too dissimilar to the first team; we try to replicate everything. They’ll train every day, with college alongside. It’s a busier programme, if anything.”
There are a variety of sports and fitness apprenticeships on offer throughout England. Take a look at these apprenticeship profiles to find out more.
