Many congratulations to Saul G and Joel B who have been retained for another term at Leeds Utd's Thorpe Arch Academy. Saul is training with the Under 8's Goalkeeping Squad and Joel is training with and playing for the Under 10's/Under 11's 'Elite Squad'.
Both of these players are subject to a rolling 5/6-week evaluation period at the end of which they are either promoted to the Academy First Team, retained in the Elite Squad or sent back to a Development Centre. This is a particular achievement for Joel who is now in his second year at Thorpe Arch. Joel was scouted at Otley Tournament in 2006 when he depped for the Under 8's. Since passing through the Under 9's 2007 Development Centre in the shortest possible time and in his period at Thorpe Arch, Joel has always played in his age group or above. Leeds Utd are holding 'Open Trials' (for players not lucky enough to have been spotted in tournaments or league games) in March. The cost of this is £30 and Leeds are looking for goalkeepers and outfield players aged 7 to 11.
Details are here: http://tinyurl.com/2jmzjb
