Blackpool Football Club are proud to announce the arrival of seven new scholars, who will link up with Matthew Blinkhorn’s Under-18 squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
All seven of the first-year scholars have played for Blinkhorn’s side in the 2024/25 EFL Youth Alliance campaign and will be keen to make further strides in the upcoming season.
Academy Director Ciaran Donnelly shared an insight into the what to expect from our new first-year scholars:
Josh Renton (Goalkeeper):
“Josh has been with us for a number of years. He’s made good progress during his time with us so far. He’s earned his scholarship through good performances and Matt Urwin is excited to work with him more in the coming years.”
Ollie Hunter (Right-back):
“We signed Ollie from Blackburn. He can play at right-back or midfield. Technically he is a very good player and has great game understanding for such a young player. He has already played in the Under-18’s a couple of times after his arrival mid-season.
George Elder (Centre-back):
George is a left-sided centre-back, who has played the whole season with the Under-18’s. He’s a ball playing centre-half, but he also doesn’t shy away from the tough side of the game. We’re really excited to work with George on a full-time basis.
Maddox Jonas-Dowling (Centre-back):
Maddox has been with us for three or four years now. He’s a big and powerful centre-back, physically dominant. He is improving technically all the time, and we believe over the course of his scholarship he will get better and better.
Kian Daley (Midfielder):
Kian arrived from Manchester United a year ago. He’s a tidy midfielder, who’s efficient on the ball. He keeps things simple and on his day, he can control a game from midfield.
Harry Quinn (Midfielder):
Big tall central midfield player. Technically he is a very good player and has a good character. Good passing range and we are hopeful he will have an impact on the team right at the start of his scholarship.
Max Wylezol (Midfielder):
Like Ollie Hunter we signed Max from Blackburn. Energetic, box-to-box midfielder, who will have goals in him during his scholarship. He has a great engine and is technically good. A real honest person, who we think can have a real impact on the group.
Ahead of the new EFL Youth Alliance season Tangerine TV will be catching up with all seven of the new scholars.