Fleetwood Town Academy boss Jack Higgins has paid tribute to his staff following the news seven young players have been called-up for international duty this summer.
This comes on the back of an incredibly successful season for the club’s growing Academy, with Town’s Under-18s lifting the North West Youth Alliance league title earlier this month with the Under-23s also recently winning the Clitheroe Football Festival.
The Academy are also celebrating six of its Under-18 players signing professional contracts, a number of whom have already made their first team debuts.
And following call-ups for seven of the club’s young stars for Northern Ireland and England, Higgins hailed the progress being made in the Academy.
He said: “It’s a fantastic end to the season for the boys to receive National team call ups - and well deserved too. It’s the next challenge in their development and one I know each will thrive off and represent themselves and the Club well.
"To have so many players gain international recognition across different age groups shows the strength of players we have throughout the Academy.
"Credit must go to Stephen Crainey, Simon Wiles, Matt Lawlor, Steve Macauley and all the Academy staff for their effort in supporting the development of these players throughout a challenging season.”
Barry Baggley, Chris Conn-Clarke, Carl Johnston, Dylan Boyle, Harry Wilson, Jake Wallace and Josh Feeney are all set to represent their countries at youth levels in the coming weeks.
Something which Higgins insists shows the progress of the club’s Academy.
“You have to remember this Academy is just six years old,” he explained.
“For our Under 18s to be winning the league, and so many of our young players gaining international honours, is a real credit to everyone involved.
"As a club we’ve also seen players given chances in the first team this year. There’s no doubt Fleetwood Town is as exciting as it gets in the Academy world at the moment.”