6 out of 14 getting initial professional contracts sounds not too bad. I assume they vary in length ? By offering contracts we ensure we can command a fee for them I guess too
Haven't got any stats but gut instinct tells me this was our worst conversion rate from Scholar to professional contract for a few years, the previous few years have been richer in individual talent and in depth of talent. The talented Scholars usually play some U23s games and get offered contracts early, usually for at least 2 years before the end of the season e.g. Evans, Feeney, Baningime. The rest usually get considered at the end of the season when injuries etc can be taken into account , contracts are then usually for one year which I think is the case for the contracts given to the other three Jack Kiersey, Danny Bramall, and Shayne Lavery, open to corrections on any of this.
It's unusual for us to get a fee for youngsters , as they usually go at the end of a contract or maybe to a lower league club. Nathan Holland to West Ham was probably the exception, I doubt if we'd have looked fir much of a fee if any.
