Posted May 29, 2016

Cowdenbeath FC is delighted to announce 4 new signings.

 

On Thursday night, (26th May), 3 young players were signed up on 2 year Modern Apprentice contracts.   The Modern Apprentices will train full time under the watchful eye of U20 manager Brian Nelson and assistant Dean Ewing and as part of their apprenticeship will also undertake a SVQ Level 3 Sports qualification.  Also signing for the Blue Brazil was 16 year old Lyle Kellichan who due to his age has been signed on a youth contract.  All will form part of next season’s U20 squad and look to progress in due course to the 1st XI. 

 

Employing full time Modern Apprentices is a considerable commitment for a Club such as Cowdenbeath FC but this ensures that the best talent from the Fife Elite Academy can be attracted to sign for the Club and as aforementioned hopefully go on to become first team players.

 

The Club is indebted to the 100 Club which recently provided a substantial contribution towards the funding of our Modern Apprenticeship programme.  Combined with assistance from Skills Development Scotland and The Fife Council Jobs Fund, the Club is delighted to be able to support the full time employment of 3 young people.

 

The 3 Modern Apprentices have all been playing with the Fife Elite Academy in 2015/16 as well as turning out for Cowdenbeath Under 20s.

 

Jordan Leslie, 16, has been signed with Cowdenbeath since he was 12 years old having previously played with Glenrothes Strollers.  He has been a regular centre back this season for both Fife Elite and Cowden U20s. Jordan attended Glenrothes HS and resides in Glenrothes.

 

Sean McManus, 17, was previously with Falkirk and Raith Rovers and can play as a wide midfielder or striker. He has been a regular with the Fife Elite and attended St Andrews HS, Kirkcaldy and resides in Glenrothes.

 

Lewis Turnbull, 16, was previously with Stenhousemuir and Dundee United. he joined Fife Elite in January and generally plays as an attacking midfielder. Lewis attended Wallace HS and lives in Stirling.

 

Brian Nelson, Cowdenbeath Under 20 Manager said, ‘We are delighted to be able to sign these 4 players who have shown potential to merit a contract with the Club. Lyle Kellichan still has a year at youth level ahead of him but he will feature in the under 20 side this coming season which will be a learning curve for him but one he will benefit from.  The 3 Modern Apprentices played with Fife Elite and at under 20 level last season and will now train full time at the Club having completed their youth contracts with Fife Elite. With hard work and dedication, the boys have every chance of making a career as a professional footballer and we will do all we can to assist them achieve that goal’.

 

For Fife Elite, Head Coach Stephen Wright said, ‘All the coaches at Fife Elite are delighted that the boys are progressing to Full time Modern Apprenticeships at Cowdenbeath.  It is very satisfying to see the young players progress from Fife Elite and shows the younger players in the Academy that the pathway to professional football in Fife is very healthy’. 

 

Pictured are the three modern apprentices with Liam Fox, Dean Ewing and John Anderson of the 100 Club.