Now part of owner Marcus Evans five-point plan is to ensure young players come through the ranks. At Town at the moment, this is beginning to reach fruition. Regular first-team players, Luke Woolfenden and Flynn Downes have been here since they were young boys and although Town may eventually be forced to sell, there are more bright lights on the periphery of the first team who are very promising talents.
We all know about Jack Lankester and what potential he has, and now the Blues have acquired another teenager Ross Crane who could have a similar impact. According to his former boss Ben Chenery, the 17-year-old left-winger has matching attributes, as he is left-footed and apart from his personality which is rather reserved, he is in many ways a clone of Jack. Cherney explained their similarities when he spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times Mark Heath. “I think they’re very comparable. When Jack came into the Bury team he came with Brett McGavin, and those two players would stand out. Jack had talent in abundance, and Ross is the same.” Then, of course, we have the very exciting Armando Dobra who has just signed a new contract, and Tyreece Simpson coming through so it is not all doom and gloom at H.Q. Portman Road!
So then let’s not forget Brett. We have already seen glimpses of what this talented midfielder can do too and all three players are technically very good. Through all the pain we have experienced over the last few seasons, it is at least reassuring to know that our youth policy is still producing stars and that is why Bryan Klug is a vital cog in the wheel. Time and again he has found talent and nurtured it.
Crane signed a two-year deal a week or so ago and the Bury Town manager is convinced he can step up to the plate. “The first thing is that he’s 17, but he’s got the body of a man – his dad must be about 6ft 5ins, so he’s going to be a big lad.” And concerning Lankester and Crane, he said boldly, “It’s that ability to get fans off their seats they share.”
Now given our more recent form and the likelihood that we will still be down here next season, this is indeed refreshing news. We may not be able to keep all of them but if they keep coming off the Town production line like this, then we certainly have youth on our side.
