First year student Taylor Clark, aged 17, is currently on trial with Premier League club Aston Villa.
Taylor has impressed since joining Needham Market Academy at the start of this academic year and has broken into Needham’s first team including a recent start in the FA Trophy match against Yeovil Town FC.
Taylor’s trial includes training sessions and two U18 matches. Taylor has benefited from the successful pathway from our academy to the first team that has provided nine players in the recent first team squads at step 3 and in the FA Trophy.
Robert Peace, Academy & Operations Director said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Taylor, we all wish him well and hope he shows his true pedigree during the trial period. This is fantastic recognition of Taylor’s achievements to date and further evidence of the environment we provide our students to help reach their potential.”
Kevin Horlock, Academy Manager & First Team Manager said: “Taylor is an unbelievably talented lad for someone so young which was evident the moment he walked into Needham Market Academy. His talent combined with his work ethic and willingness to listen and improve has seen him develop and progress from our U18s and reserve team onto playing a number of games in our first team in a short space of time.”
“I’m delighted for him as this is recognition for how well he has done and it also shows current and future students once again that there is a clear pathway through our academy and into our first team which then could lead to opportunities for students to follow their dream of being professional footballers.”
Needham Market Academy is holding an open event on Monday 31st January for students currently studying in years 10, 11 & 12. The open event held at Bloomfields will give potential students the opportunity to train under the academy & first-team manager Kevin Horlock. For more information and to register, click here.