Bristol Rovers is delighted to announce that eight exciting talents have signed a two-year scholarship with the Football Club starting from July 2025.
Will Wilson, Henry De-long, Excel Iwhiwhu, Adedeji Odumboni, Jack Toogood, Jay Horgan, Ciaran O’Donnell and Woody Cole each put pen to paper on their respective scholarships with the Academy on a wonderful evening at The Memorial Stadium.
All eight players have featured in the Gas talented U18s squad this season across the Games Programme, with Toogood, Horgan, Iwhiwhu and Cole coming off the bench in Rovers’ victory over Badshot Lea in the FA Youth Cup at The Mem.
The event's purpose is for the Academy to officially induct the next cohort of players who will begin their two-year scholarship with the Football Club at the start of July 2025. The event, led by Byron Anthony (Academy Manager) and Bobby-McKenzie Black (Professional Development Phase Lead Coach), consisted of various presentations from core MDT Staff to best prepare players for their upcoming scholarship.
Each player had their table with a picture of themselves in the famous blue-and-white quarters and a shirt, with their families in attendance to celebrate their achievements. They were welcomed by Byron Anthony, who delivered the opening speech and outlined the expectations of the Club.
“Congratulations,” he said. “There are many, many players who would love to be in this room tonight and be part of the process. As you know, players come into the academy from nine and try and work their way through. Some come in a little bit later. You should be proud of yourselves for getting to where you are.
“When you sign on the dotted line, and you become a scholar, you’re actually enrolling on to become an employee. You’re not just becoming part of the programme. So, you take on the core values of the Football Club.
“You work for the Football Club, and you will give your best for the Football Club, as you have done over the years, and you will be judged against many, many players in the programme but also some first-team players as well because that’s the step you have to take quite quickly.”
Head of Athletic Development Brad Stalley then introduced the off-season preparation and programme before Will Morford from League Football Education delivered information about the apprenticeship programme that will run alongside their scholarship. Finally, Bobby-McKenzie Black outlined the U18s player development programme.
The class of 2025 scholars will be looking to progress their individual and collective development through the Scholarship programme, attempting to move to the next level by gaining regular U18s football in the following season.
Photos of each of our new scholars can be seen in the gallery above!
Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Black was delighted to see the players continue their progression with the Club and gave an insight into each player.
WILL WILSON - GOALKEEPER
"Will is a brave and forward-thinking goalkeeper, who is comfortable demonstrating his personality on the pitch. Will joined the Academy at the beginning of his U15 Season, securing a registration after a successful trial period. Will has featured across the U16 and U18 Academy age groups this term."
HENRY DE-LONG - DEFENDER
"Henry is a resilient and brave central defender who can demonstrate his defensive skills within games via his heading, tackling and blocking to protect his goal. Henry has been at the Academy since U12. Since then, he has continued his development across the Youth Development Phase, as well as attaining further international recognition from the FAW & FA via Regional Talent Camps during his U15 season. Henry has gained further experience in this campaign, featuring within the U18 Games Programme."
EXCEL IWHIWHU - DEFENDER
"Excel is a brave & forward-thinking defender who has also played central midfield. Using his athleticism to dominate his 1v1s. Excel has been attending the Academy Programme since U13. He has continued his development across the Youth Development Phase, appearing for all age groups. Excel has gained additional exposure this campaign within the U18 Squad, featuring across their Games Programme. He has also gained the opportunity to be seen by the FA via Regional Talent Camps in his U15 season."
ADEDEJI ODUMBONI - MIDFIELDER
"Adedeji is a relentless & brave midfielder who breaks the game up and retains possession in the middle of the pitch. Adedeji joined the Academy in the middle of his U14 Season. Since joining, Adedeji has continued his development, featuring across several age groups within the Academy, and like his peers, has heavily featured for the U18 age group this season across their Games Programme."
JACK TOOGOOD - MIDFIELDER
"Jack is a forward-thinking and creative midfielder; he is someone who demonstrates his game understanding via his positioning and decision-making on the pitch. Jack entered the Academy right at the start and has featured all the way through in every age group. Jack has appeared strongly across the U18 Games Programme this campaign, coming off the bench in the FA Youth Cup Fixture against Badshot Lea."
JAY HORGAN - MIDIFELDER
"Jay is a creative and forward-thinking midfielder who can create for himself and the team, as well as score goals from midfield areas. Jay also entered the Academy at its earliest stage, at U9s. He has since played for all Academy age groups, continuing his development along the way, and this term has featured across both the U16 and U18 age groups. He was another individual who came off the bench for the U18s in their FA Youth Cup Fixture against Badshot Lea."
CIARAN O’DONNELL - FORWARD
"Ciaran is a forward-thinking and relentless wide player who wants to play directly to goal and get crosses into the box or shots at goal. Ciaran began his journey within the Academy at U13. He has since featured across all Youth Development Phase age groups and played within the U18 Games Programme this campaign."
WOODY COLE - FORWARD
"Woody is a brave and creative striker who can also play as a wide player at times. He has shown across his journey that he can score a variety of goals when presented with the opportunity. Woody joined the Academy at the beginning of his U15 season. Although joining later than some of his peers within his age group, he has since gone on to attain exposure within the U18 and Development Team Games Programme, scoring in the FA Youth Cup versus Badshot Lea at The Mem, as well as coming off the bench in the Gloucester Senior Cup."
With several players progressing through the ranks at other clubs before joining Rovers, the Academy would like to acknowledge the outstanding commitment and work other teams put into the players during their footballing journey.
