Ten apprentices make Under-18s step
It was a special day for many at the start of July, as ten new first-year apprentices were welcomed to Home Park to embark on their two-year journey with the Argyle Under-18s.
Eight of the ten have progressed through the Argyle Academy age groups, with two joining from Category One academies.
Let’s meet the new scholars…
Kian Burch
Kian is a forward who had the chance to feature in Merit League One for the under-18s at the end of the 2023/24 season, scoring on his full debut against Portsmouth. He signed for the Academy at under-11 level and re-signed at under-13 following a break. Since rejoining, he has since progressed through the further age groups. Kian is a former Ivybridge Community College pupil who also featured for Ivybridge Town and Manstow FC in the Devon Junior & Minor League.
Malachi Davy
Full-back Malachi joined the Academy at under-13 level, following a youth career with Liskeard, Bodmin Town and MAP. Malachi has also represented East Cornwall under-15s during his time with Argyle.
Oscar Dean
A former pupil of Braunton Academy, central midfielder Oscar signed for the Academy in the under-13 age group. Having previously played for Braunton FC and Chivenor Soccer School in North Devon, Oscar represented the Academy in the SuperCupNI (formerly known as Milk Cup) in Northern Ireland in 2022 as a 14-year-old playing up in the under-18s Premier tournament.
Tegan Finn
Tegan is a prolific wide attacker, who had success in both the Youth Alliance and Merit Leagues last season for the under-18s, scoring 15 goals in all competitions. The former Ivybridge Community College pupil signed for the Academy in the under-9 age group, after progressing through the club’s pre-Academy and Plymouth Centre of Excellence.
Jack Flower
Jack is a goalkeeper who attended Devonport High School for Boys. He joined the Academy in the under-11s and made his debut for the under-18s towards the end of the 2023/24 season against Stevenage. Jack played for several Devon Junior & Minor League teams, mainly Horrabridge Rangers, and represented Plymouth Schools at under-11 level.
Lewis Flowers
Central defender Lewis made his full debut for the under-18s against Cheltenham Town in the 2023/24 Merit League season. The former pupil of Sir John Hunt School attended the Plymouth Centre of Excellence and pre-Academy before signing at under-9 level.
Toby Haley
Toby signed for the Academy at under-9 level after completing the club’s pre-Academy. The former Liskeard Community College pupil also represented the Academy in the 2022 SuperCupNI Premier tournament for the under-18s as a 14-year-old.
Sam Lord
A former pupil of Devonport High School for Boys, attacking midfielder Sam has already featured six times for the under-18s in the Youth Alliance and Merit Leagues. Before signing for the Academy at under-9s, Sam started playing in the Devon Junior & Minor League for Roborough FC. He then progressed through the club’s pre-Academy and Plymouth Centre of Excellence.
Fletcher Poole
Fletcher signs for Argyle from Category One academy Derby County, after being with the Rams for four years. The wide attacker, who attended Landau Forte Amington School in Staffordshire, was offered a contract following a successful trial with the Pilgrims.
Lewis Thomas
Lewis is an attacking midfielder who has signed for Argyle from Aston Villa, a Category One academy. The attacking midfielder was offered a contract after a successful trial last season. He is a former pupil of Tudor Grange Academy in Solihull, Birmingham.
Congratulations and welcome, all!
