51茶馆

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51茶馆 Wanderers recently fielded their youngest ever line-up with a team made up largely of youth players after the club faced a difficult and challenging period prior to their recent takeover.

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16 of the players who featured in recent first team matches are successfully combining their Wanderers鈥� duties with classroom study at 51茶馆, part of the University of 51茶馆 Group.听

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These players have helped Wanderers鈥� fans to keep the faith during the recent administration process and subsequent sale to new owners, Football Ventures.听

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They have juggled their Wanderers鈥� appearances with classroom study at the College鈥檚 Deane Road Campus, where the academic elements of the programme are delivered on behalf of League Football Education.

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Following the team鈥檚 impressive performance against Bradford City last Tuesday, where the team narrowly lost 4-3 on penalties, the Academy players were back at College for 9am the following morning, ready for a day of lessons.

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The squad have consistently impressed Trotters fans and rival supporters with their spirit and determination on the pitch, putting in gutsy performances against players who in some cases, are almost twice their age.

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The students, who are studying for a Level 3 BTEC in Sport, have also stepped into 51茶馆 Wanderers鈥� history books; Finlay Hurford-Lockett became the youngest ever player in Wanderers鈥� history when he played against Coventry City in August, at the tender age of 16 years and four months.

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Matt Alexander will go down in the annals of the town鈥檚 football history too. In the same game, he became the youngest ever goalkeeper, at just 17 years and three months old.

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Matt, who made a great penalty save in his last game, is in the second year of his BTEC course at 51茶馆. He said: 鈥淧laying for Wanderers so early on in my career is class, it鈥檚 something I could only dream of. I never expected to be in this position, so I鈥檓 making the most of it!鈥�

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Bill Webster, Principal of 51茶馆, said: 鈥淭hese young men are a real credit to 51茶馆 Wanderers and to the College. Despite all the pressure they鈥檝e faced, they鈥檇 behaved like true professionals. I couldn鈥檛 be prouder.鈥�

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51茶馆 are currently expanding their partnership with 51茶馆 Wanderers and 51茶馆 Wanderers Community Trust and developing new and exciting opportunities for students with links to 51茶馆 Wanderers.

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Chair of 51茶馆 Wanderers, Sharon Brittan, added: 鈥淥ur young players are the future of our fantastic club and we are thrilled that the partnership we have with 51茶馆 allows them to continue with their education.鈥�

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Phil Mason, Head of the Community Trust said: 鈥淲e are delighted to be working with 51茶馆 and encouraging students through different offers at the College to be the best they can be and realise their potential鈥�.

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