EVERTON RELEASE 5 FROM THE ACADEMY

[alan ball]

Every year at the end of the football season comes a time where the clubs announce their retain list and unfortunately for some they release some.

For Everton last month the club released 5 players and some have been involved with the academy from the age of 6.
The players released this time were as follows;

Ryan Higgins who i thought was a versatile player that could play either at right back or in midfield. Since being released Ryan has had trials at Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers and Birmingham City but to date i think he is still searching for a club.

James Fitzgibbon the goalkeeper had a very good season and seemed to be the first choice until the home game with Blackburn in January then played second fiddle to Connor Roberts for the remainder of the season. To my knowledge James is turning is back on football for personal reasons.

Jordan Barrow was another to go, unfortunately he got injured against Stoke City in January and came back before the season finished with very little playing time left. Jordan was a good talker on the pitch and for me always gave a good performance. He has had a trial with Hibernian but i believe was not successful.

Adam Thomas had two good years with the 18's and was a player that could play on the left and right of midfield as well as a forward, His pace was always a problem for his marker and before Christmas Everton's goal tally was 23 with Adam assiting in 16 of them. Since being released Adam had a successful trial at Stoke City and was rewarded with a 1 year pro deal.

Last but not least, Ben Heneghan. He was the biggest surprise of them all for me and was my most improved player of the season. Ben was a very competent centre back who was very strong in the air and even wore the captains armband a few times.
Since his release Ben had trials at Stoke City and Burnley but like Adam Thomas was offered a 1 year pro deal with the Potteries club.

Thank you boys for your efforts and i can only hope that you can progress in your career and wish you all future happiness

[deathbyropeandglass]

What are the odds on us buying ones of those 2 guys off Stoke for £5million in 5 years time.

[alan ball]

Jagielka, Baines and Joey Barton were releasd from Everton when they were younger then went on to make the grade then it always come back and bites you on the arse

[Roztitute]

Thanks for the lowdown AB

[formerly manx toffee]

Thanks AB. Let's hope the lads release find their level whatever that may be. Hope the lads do well at Stoke. Presume a few have signed pro deals too

[Zaschrona]

Thanks AB, I am always sad for these lads we release.. Still I hope they will all have a good career.. Once a blue, always a blue!

[ganistuk]

Jagielka, Baines and Joey Barton were releasd from Everton when they were younger then went on to make the grade then it always come back and bites you on the arse

Sometimes the way it has to be. There was no guarantee any of those three would have got the game time with us if they had stayed and developed into the players they are (although maybe it would have helped Barton).

[Chang Elephant]

Surely just one more damning sign of Kenwrights cost cutting regime. We won't be able to field a youth team soon.

[ijjysmith]

Sad that AB. Thanks for the info.

Dya think any will do a Baines and become ace?

[alan ball]

I think Luke Garbutt has potential but it depends on whether Everton decide to keep him

Sad that AB. Thanks for the info.

Dya think any will do a Baines and become ace?

[nigelcoyb]

Always sad when young lads are released because you're dealing with a kids dream not just his job.

Hopefully they'll make a go of it somewhere else.

[blueblue]

Every year players are released and a new crop of youngsters brought in,it happens at every club and there is always the risk that some youngster will come back with a different club and prove you wrong.
However,you cannot keep every player on your books or the academy would be full of youngsters.
In general the academy has a good record and very few have gone onto have great careers after being released by the club.

[BigDunc'sFod]

James Fitzgibbon the goalkeeper had a very good season and seemed to be the first choice until the home game with Blackburn in January then played second fiddle to Connor Roberts for the remainder of the season. To my knowledge James is turning is back on football for personal reasons.

This is the saddest one for me. Hope the kid figures it out.

[kenada_blue]

howcome they all go to stoke?

[Johnny_No.5]

I don't understand releasing players at this age.. surely you cant really get a feel if they are going to proceed at their age.. I mean we kept Anichebe ffs..

[It's_Just_Not_Cricket]

Interesting article, Ben Heneghan is the surprise. Thanks

[Basil Fawlty]

Cheers for the update AB.

[steken1]

For those who are Evertonians they can always say they have represented our club. Good to see a few of the lads are staying in the game.

[mrx]

Who is stepping up from the u18s next season to the reservs?

[alan ball]

Most of them i would think, the first year scholars will still be involved commencing their second year, so we will have a new batch of recruits that will have stepped up from the 16's. I'm quite excited about the new season alraedy

Who is stepping up from the u18s next season to the reservs?