The New Saints are celebrating a successful week for two of their Academy graduates.
Firstly, Billy Kirkman signed a two-year professional contract with English Football League club Swindon Town. Billy joined our Academy at U13s level and was part of a very successful group of players, which also included the likes of fellow graduates Jake Canavan, Josh Lock and Reece Warder.
Billy was awarded a scholarship after finishing the U16s season and went on to be a key part of our youth team squad. He was rewarded for his consistently high performances and outstanding attitude with a professional contract at the end of his two-year scholarship.
After a strong first season as a professional, which resulted in both a first team debut and loan move to fellow JD Cymru Premier side, AberystwythTown, Billy was given a contract extension. Last season, Billy was an important player in Aberystwyth’s league survival.
Billy went on to play for TNS five times and Aberystwyth Town on 41 occasions.
We are also celebrating a fantastic Newtown debut for Josh Lock who has just joined the Robins on loan. ‘Locky’ scored and played a key part in Newtown’s 4-1 victory over Aberystwyth last weekend.
Josh joined The New Saints Academy at U8s and has progressed all the way through to U16s, our Scholarship, a professional contract and a further two new contract extensions.
Commenting on the success of our graduates, our Academy Operations Manager, Kieran Lee-Birch, said:
“We are all really proud of Billy and Josh’s achievements. Both have worked hard to be in the position they are now in and they deserve every opportunity that comes their way.
“I first scouted Billy in the Manchester Cup at U13s back in 2016. Billy is an outstanding young man who always gave 100% dedication to his development and teammates. His family are wonderful and I will always have fond memories of dad Paul and mum Claire watching Billy train from their camper van. Billy had to move down here from Bolton during his Scholarship years which just shows the level of commitment he was ready to give.
“I was lucky enough to coach Josh from U11s up until U16s. He is one of the most talented players I have seen. Locky glides past defenders with ease and is elite at picking the ball up in tight pockets of space. In his younger years, Locky turned down a number of English clubs to stay with us and always shown great loyalty to TNS.
“His loan move at Newtown, working under Scott Ruscoe (who was Academy Manager back when Locky played in the Academy) and Nathan Leonard, who is one of the best coaches I have worked with, will be great for his development.
“While in our youth system, both lads have been able to take on some of the best Academies around (Manchester United and Liverpool to name a few) and enjoyed multiple trips abroad, all while making friends and developing that lifelong love for the game.
“A special mention must go to all of our staff who have helped develop, support and nurture not only these two lads, but all the young people we have in our Academy. There are too many people to mention by name, and some have now moved onto other clubs, but all can be proud of their part along the journey.”
Everyone at The New Saints would like to send their best wishes to both young lads for the season ahead.
