Exeter City’s latest crop of youngsters continue to impress
“We have had a difficult time in terms of a unique batch of players who have left which meant numbers have dwindled but the next generation are coming through.”
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has hailed the latest crop of youngsters coming through the Grecians’ academy. Liam Oakes was named man-of-the-match in City’s 2-1 EFL Trophy victory on Tuesday night over Swindon Town, while 15-year-old Louis Cayless became the second youngest player ever when he came on late on.
With Exeter ’s 479 game run of starting an academy graduate which dated back to January 2016 having come to an end at the start of the season, and with several products who came through the youth system having departed in the summer, there have been fears that the pipeline was running dry. But Tuesday night shows that the next crop coming through could be the latest in a long line.
From Ollie Watkins, to Matt Grimes, to Josh Key, to Joel Randall – and many more – City’s academy has been a constant source of vital income for the club. Alfie Pond, another of those who departed, captained Wolves’ U21 last night. The latest was Jay Stansfield – with the Grecians receiving a sell-on fee as a result of the striker’s move to Birmingham City from Fulham.
“It is brilliant for the club,” Caldwell said. “He was a special one and we are delighted with that. I think we will get the final payment when I’m about 58, but how it is structured fans have to be aware of that.
“We will look after the money and spend it in the right way and allow the club to drive forward. It is one of the major reasons I came to the club, the academy and younger players. We have had a difficult time in terms of a unique batch of players who have left which meant numbers have dwindled but the next generation are coming through. Not many clubs are playing players this age and we can see the rewards of doing so.”
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