Proud Night For Academy

It was another proud evening for the Oxford United Academy last night as three more scholars made their debut for the first team.

Third-year scholar George Franklin started the game at Northampton at right back, replaced late in the game by second-year Aidan Elliott Wheeler, while forward Louis Griffiths became the youngest player ever to appear for the senior side after only celebrating his 16th birthday on Sunday.

With 16-year-old forward Kasway Burton also on the bench, it was a great night for the watching Academy manager Stevie Kinniburgh.

“They should all be very proud,” he said. “George has been with us since he was nine, a local lad from Kidlington who captained the youth team last season all the way to the quarter final of the FA Youth Cup. I thought he did ever so well last night, playing slightly out of position at right-back. He sort of grew into the game and I thought it was an excellent debut.

“Aidan is another from Kidlington and again he has been with us since he was nine. His family are all season ticket holders so he was buzzing to be involved last night. He has had a loan at Banbury and that’s helping him, playing in the National League North regularly at 17.

“Louis has really progressed a lot over the last year. He was in the Wales under 16 squad and now the 17s and seeing him get on was a great moment for all of the coaches in the Academy. They were all there- everyone wanted to see the Academy players step up, and that includes Kasway who was on the bench and I’m sure will get his opportunity.

“Now we want all of those players to recognise it as just another step in the right direction. Can they build from there, be involved regularly,? They have trained with the First Team so now they need to push to be be part of more matchdays with the First Team.

“But to see all the parents, families and friends there to support them, as well as all of the coaches, was great and I think the Academy should be really happy with how things are moving right now.”

See a fascinating interview with Stevie as he reflects further on the Academy’s progress, exclusively in iFollow right now.

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