Trialists

[watto-drfc]

DRFC Rovers giving trials to promising youngsters
Doncaster Rovers are giving trials to three promising young players at the moment.

Josh Payne, Liam Hardy and Tomos Roberts are all currently at the club and all three featured in Wednesday nights 2-0 pre season friendly win over Askern Villa.

Josh Payne is a 19-year-old midfielder who was released by Premier League side West Ham United at the end of the season having made only two appearances for the club.

He has also enjoyed short loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Liam Hardy is a young striker who signed for Harrogate Town at the start of June after an impressive season for local side Armthorpe Welfare.

He scored 46 goals in all competitions last season and his total of 36 goals in the league won him the golden boot.

His goals helped Armthorpe to finish third in the North East Counties Premier League and also finish runners up in the North Counties League Cup Final.

Tomos Roberts is an 18-year-old midfielder who has been capped by Wales at under 16 and 19 level.

He started his career at Manchester United and is currently a member of the Aston Villa academy. Roberts played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup last season when Villa lost 3-2 to Chelsea on aggregate.

[Smivvy]

Link to Josh's profile when he was at West Ham

http://www.whufc.com/articles/josh-payne-not-yet-known_2228487_45086

[DonnyNoel]

After representing both Portsmouth and Southampton as a youngster, Payne joined West Ham in early 2007

Wonder if he was on the south coast when SOD was at Bournemouth and yet another player that he's had his eye on for a while.

[irishcontingent]

Being as the lad is only 19 now, i doubt he would have been on SOD radar when he at Bournemouth. That said , he may well have known about him as a schoolboy footballer.

[Drover]

I would think SOD has a lot of contacts that cover the south coast from when he was down there and they will still give him recommendations etc.

[Alan Southstand]

Having watched him the other night at Askern, and bearing its impossible to give a realistic impression of someone after just 90 minutes, I would say we could have another Brian Stock in the making. He's one to be nurtured and I think SOD will see that.

[rtid88]

Its so encouraging that we are actually getting trialists from premier league clubs now and that we are also looking at youngsters from the local area. Things are looking up on all fronts at the club at the minute!!

[RobTheRover]

Indeed.

Its like the signing of Sharp has had a domino effect on positivity!

[Barmby Rover]

From his interview it looks likely that Rob Clarke and Mustapha are on their way out, SOD seems to have very high standards for these development players to hit very quickly if they are to survive. I wonder if we are just filling up with potentials which then will be leaving after a year with the odd chance of turning up a gem?

[5minstogo]

Barmby Rover wrote:

From his interview it looks likely that Rob Clarke and Mustapha are on their way out, SOD seems to have very high standards for these development players to hit very quickly if they are to survive. I wonder if we are just filling up with potentials which then will be leaving after a year with the odd chance of turning up a gem?

I think we need two or three, training with the first team and monitor their development. I notice no youth teamers from last year have been offered professional terms also.