Brian Tinnion has hailed a fantastic year for the Bristol City academy after professional deals have been awarded to a core part of their Under-18 side which reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Ten members of that Young Robins side have been handed pro contracts to continue their development at the High Performance Centre and eventually push for first-team inclusion.
City were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in the last four of the competition, while the U18s are second in Group B of the Professional Development League, and the expectation is now for many to become regulars in the U21 set-up next season and potentially even part of Liam Manning’s senior group.
Indeed, of the 10, midfielder Jed Meerholz, winger Raekwon Nelson and full-back Joseph James made matchday squads last season, with the latter starting against Cardiff City in October.
Raised in St. Werburghs Nelson, who signed a three-year contract when he first joined City at the U11 level, and James, Meerholz, Archie Taylor, Zak Ali, Taine Anderson, and midfielders Callum Hewett and Billy Phillips all signed two-year contracts. Tim ap Sion and Brandon Bak, two forwards, have been given one-year contracts.
With how they’ve played in their league and throughout the FA Youth Cup, this group of young players has had a wonderful year, according to technical director Tinnion of the Robins. Over the season, a lot of them have been a part of matchday squads, and I’m interested to watch how they progress.
“This club takes great satisfaction in the development of young, local players, and we’ve seen a significant number of academy-grown players in the starting lineup once again.
Tommy Backwell, a U21 midfielder who has made the first team this season, has extended his professional contract by one year. Tommy’s original 2022 contract was set to expire this summer. Backwell is one of several U21 regulars whose contracts are about to expire; the club will soon announce who is still on the retained list.
Among those whose contracts are about to expire are goalkeepers Harvey Wiles-Richards and Mac Boyd, center-back Duncan Idehen, full-backs Harry Leeson and Zac Bell, midfielders Dylan Kadji and Ben Acey, and forward Callum Hutton.
Senior players: Andy King has retired, Joe Williams has been offered a new contract, Andi Weimann is expected to be released after spending the second part of the season on loan at West Brom, and as of the last week of the 2023–24 season, the club was in negotiations with Matty James.
