A look at some of Port Vale’s young guns
There have been a number of younger players which have featured in Port Vale’s friendly fixtures this summer – we profile a few of them…
The information here is correct to the best of our knowledge. If we’re wrong or you have more information please let us know and post a comment at the end of the article.
The youngsters
Eden Bailey
The most well-known of the young players, Bailey looks to be knocking on the first-team door despite having a year left of his youth deal. The powerfully built forward is the grandson of former Valiant Terry Bailey and he scored against Newcastle Town and Kidsgrove Athletic. Coach Billy Paynter is enthusiastic about Bailey’s development, telling the media: “It will be a big year for him.”
Ammar Dyer
On a six week trial with the club to potentially earn a professional contract, the wide player was initially signed after impressing at a football trials event when 13 years old. He played in the friendly games against Kidsgrove Athletic and Stafford Rangers.
Michael Lennon
A left-sided player who can play centrally or at left-back, Congleton-born Lennon was named on the bench last season for the game against Bradford City. Like Dyer, he is on a six week trial to potentially earn a professional contract. He played in the games against Kidsgrove Athletic, Newcastle Town and Stafford Rangers.
John Clarke
A summer signing from non-league Stockport Town, the Pro Football Academy graduate plays as a left-back or centre-half. He featured against Newcastle Town and Stafford Rangers. He made his senior debut for Stockport Town aged just 16.
Kamani McFarlane
The London-born forward joined Port Vale in January 2020 and caught the eye during the Newcastle Town friendly with a late brace in Vale’s 6-2 win. He comes from Eastsoccerbase, a talent hub based in East London.
Congratulations to our u16s winger Kamani Mcfarlane signing his scholarship with Port Vale. Kamani is an exciting, quick and direct winger who loves to take on players, there was a lot of clubs interested but we decided Port Vale best for his development🙌⚽️🙏 pic.twitter.com/ny5DU8KvZq
— EastSoccerBase (@EastSoccerBase) January 18, 2020
Joe Collinge
The young Manchester born goalkeeper was named on the bench last season when Dino Visser was injured. With Lucas Covolan taking a break after his play-off final exploits, the youngster has featured in goal during several of Vale’s friendly games.
Josh Nunes
A London-born centre-half who joined from the Onside Academy in January.
Congrats to Josh Nunes U16s signing his Scholarship for the next 2 years. pic.twitter.com/0Z9YGooGO1
— Onside Football Academy (@onsideacademy19) January 23, 2021
Celeany Filho
A young right-back or right wing-back. This is a photo of him in action at Newcastle Town. He signed from Pro Touch Soccer Academy.
And the others…
- Ben Sangare: another Londoner who, like Nunes, is also a centre-half.
- Festus Chale: a defender originally from Droylsden, who featured against both Stafford Rangers and Fleetwood Town.
- Taz Chibaya: a defender in his second year of his youth scholarship. Played against Kidsgrove and Stafford Rangers.
- Ellis Jones: a midfielder in his second year of his youth scholarship. Played against Kidsgrove and Stafford Rangers.
- Dayo Llori: a midfielder in the second year of his youth scholarship. Played against Stafford and Newcastle Town.
- Abdi Osman: a Birmingham-born midfielder, in the second year of his youth scholarship. Played against Newcastle and Stafford Rangers.
- Henry Okenla: A London-born forward, in the second year of his youth scholarship. He played against Stafford Rangers.
- Tommy McDermott: believed to be a forward, he featured against Stafford Rangers.
- James Plant: a second year scholar who has also featured in the friendly squads
- (first name unknown) Perry: We don’t know much about this youngster. If you do post a comment.
And the two summer trialists…
Tom Solanke
A 20 year-old former West Brom player who is on trial with the club. Solanke can play as a defensive midfielder and has reportedly impressed the Vale coaching staff.
Luke Griffiths
The other trialist is believed to be 22 year-old FC United midfielder Luke Griffiths, a former Bolton Wanderers player although that is yet to be officially confirmed. He has featured in several friendly games. He was released before the start of the season.
Jeffrey Wainwright
14th July 2021 @ 9:09 pm
No mention of James Plant who was only 2 of last years crop given a contract
Rob Fielding
14th July 2021 @ 9:29 pm
Thank you, I’ll certainly add him to the article.
Walka003
15th July 2021 @ 9:36 am
Hey rob,
Theres two lads that came on against newcastle and stafford that are missing from the list but I only have there second names, Perry and Celeany. Celeany is the lad with the long dreadlocks in the pictures from Newcastle and was signed this year from somewhere call Pro Touch Soccer Academy in London.
Not sure if anyone reading this knows there full names?
Shaun
12th August 2021 @ 11:39 am
Celeany filho
He is a right back / right wing back
Rob Fielding
12th August 2021 @ 12:04 pm
Thank you – his details have been added.
Shaun
12th August 2021 @ 12:38 pm
Celeany filho
a first year scholar
From london
Came off trials from watford and millwall