18/07/2023 82comments  |  Jump to last

The Everton website is profiling a group of nine new scholars who have been promoted from the Academy to the U18s as full-time players for the upcoming season.  

● Harrison Armstrong, a right-footed centre-midfielder born in West Derby.

● Joshua van Schoor, a left-back previously with Wigan Athletic

● George Pickford, a goalkeeper with the Academy since age 11

Article continues below video content


● Harvey Foster, a midfielder born in Burnley. previously with Blackburn Rovers

● Luca Davis, a centre-back born in Manchester, previously with Bury

● Aled Thomas, a left-footed centre-back born in Wrexham

● Joel Catesby, a right-winger from Birkenhead.

● George Morgan, a right-footed striker born in Milton Keynes 

● George Finney, a right-back with the Academy since he was 6

The names are not completely new to any followers of Everton U18s, with each player having stepped up at some point last season to gain exposure at this level before committing to Scholarship forms with the club. 

As the youngsters are all under 17, they are too young to agree professional contracts with the club. 

More information: EvertonFC.com



Reader Comments (82)

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Paul Kossoff
1 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:20:51
Well, at least Kenwright hasn't rolled them out one by one to cover the fact fuck all is happening under his watch. Next!!!!

Eric Myles
2 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:25:10
Why is only one of them wearing an Everton tie?

Couldn't the Club have loaned the other eight a Club tie?

Or god forbid, given them one!!!

Did the photo cut off the last two or have they been transferred already?

Paul Kossoff
3 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:29:48
Scholars, seriously. Calling footballers 'scholars'.

I bet half of them spell Thursday with an f, and drop the g from the end of as many words as possible. This is another cover from Kenwright to hide the fact fuck all is happening.

Chris Hockenhull
4 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:30:18
Right away, a nice dollop of negative comments about ties… ]

Heaven forbid we get something along the lines of “Their parents must be proud… big day in their lives… the journey gets real now chaps… best wishes to you all… Good look, boys”

That would have a whiff of positivity, wouldn't it…??

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
5 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:33:12
Love the possibility of persuading some team to shell out £40M for our goalkeeper called Pickford and then they find out it is 17-year-old George and not England's #1.

Mind you, George, I would be even more happier if you took over from namesake Jordan when he retires.

Eric Myles
6 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:34:20
Chris, it's nothing against the lads but I would expect that the club would have a touch of professionalism about it. Too much to expect I know as it seems they can't even fit them all in a photo.

James Flynn
7 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:38:14
Well good luck to them.

Our fellows who pay attention to our U-Teams, any of these stand out?

Eric Myles
8 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:42:25
Paul #3, I guess they're called scholars as they are also receiving a school education from the Club while they are receiving a football education?

Reminds me though of when I used to get the number 10 into town with me Mam. "One and a scholar please…"

Ben King
9 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:46:07
Why can't the club fit them in the photo? How useless are they??
Kieran Kinsella
10 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:50:20
Congratulations lads.
Jay Harris
11 Posted 18/07/2023 at 15:54:55
Lets hope for once the club can manage to do something with these lads (sorry… scholars?).
Paul Kossoff
12 Posted 18/07/2023 at 16:11:28
Eric 8. Lol I used to think my mum used to say, one and a scallop, which is a sliced potato. I would say, "Mum, I don't like scallops, can I have chips?"

My mum used to worry about me because I was 17 at the time.🙄

Si Pulford
13 Posted 18/07/2023 at 16:48:23
Good luck to these lads. They either make it as professionals with us or we sell them at a profit. That's the blueprint from now on. Our academy has to be a success for us to do well and thankfully we're starting to see some progress.

And how anyone can come on here and be negative about a group of young kids becoming professional footballers is beyond me.

I wish them all nothing but success with us or elsewhere.

Eric Myles
14 Posted 18/07/2023 at 16:53:46
Si #13, "As the youngsters are all under 17, they are too young to agree professional contracts with the club."

I don't see that anyone has been negative about the lads but you don't appear to be able to understand what is written in black and white anyway.

Geoff Lambert
15 Posted 18/07/2023 at 16:59:17
Well done lads hope you all go on to have a long and successful career with the blues.
Lee Courtliff
16 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:00:34
I've taken a screenshot of their names, let's see if any of them make it big in the future.

Good luck, lads.

Tony Abrahams
17 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:00:49
Cracking picture that of a load of young kids without a care in the world. Playing football everyday for a living is not as easy as it sounds because it really is a brutal environment. It's got to be all about hard work and dedication for these lads now, and they are also going to need a lot of luck.

I wish them well and hope they all have successful careers playing football.

Geoff Lambert
18 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:03:08
Eric #6 what photo are you looking at? I can see nine in the one on the OS?
Eric Myles
19 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:04:04
Geoff, not on the TW site.

Look at the home page of this site.

Geoff Lambert
20 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:06:19
Then why blame the club?
Geoff Lambert
21 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:07:56
There are nine on the top of my TW site. Maybe adjust your screen then.
Eric Myles
22 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:07:57
Easy target as they fuck up so many other things?

Plus I don't read the OS.

Geoff Lambert
23 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:11:16
https://www.ToffeeWeb.com/ Try this one Eric.
Eric Myles
24 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:21:32
Still only seven, Geoff, even with my double vision.
Rob Halligan
25 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:25:07
Eric, I think, using a phrase by someone on here, you need visit Specsavers, because there are definitely nine lads in the photograph on the club website. Nine names, nine lads!
Eric Myles
26 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:26:38
Rob, might be on the Club website, dunno, it won't open on my 'phone.

But definitely not on the TW homepage.

Rob Halligan
27 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:28:46
Eric, the one on the TW home page also shows nine lads. Maybe it’s been amended I don’t know, but deffo nine!
Eric Myles
28 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:32:10
Okay, if I turn the 'phone landscape I get 9.
Andy Crooks
29 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:34:36
So pleased for the lads. They must have worked so hard to get there. Wish them all the luck in the world.
Brent Stephens
30 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:41:15
9 lads; 9 in the photo. Hopefully one will make the grade with us. If any of you lads are reading this thread, ignore the negativity – it's what "we" do on here! Good luck, gentlemen.
Geoff Lambert
31 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:48:28
"Okay, if I turn the 'phone landscape I get 9"

For fuck's sake… HaHaHa. There's always one.

Eric Myles
32 Posted 18/07/2023 at 17:53:28
It's a problem with TW formatting, Geoff, I don't have a problem with any of the other home page pictures until I turn the 'phone landscape.

So 55555 to you too.

Habib Erkan Jr
33 Posted 18/07/2023 at 18:17:11
Well done, lads, I wish you all the best going forward.
Nick White
34 Posted 18/07/2023 at 18:23:19
The lad on the left looks ready to get on the pitch immediately in his suit, great enthusiasm!

Wish them all the best and hope even 1 of them (if not most and all) can be successful for us. Does anyone who follows the youngsters give any more info about them?

Anthony Dove
35 Posted 18/07/2023 at 18:27:56
Just as well this photo wasn't used in an advert…
Dennis Stevens
36 Posted 18/07/2023 at 18:34:54
I hope they all have a successful career. If they do, they'll have earned it.
Paul Kossoff
37 Posted 18/07/2023 at 18:54:19
If you look closely, some of the "scholars" look like composites of each other. One looks like a head pasted on to someone else's shoulders.

I think it's a fake picture made by the club to fool us that we have enough players in all departments. Now before I get the PC brigade criticizing me, I'm obviously trying to lighten our pre-season mood.

Dennis Stevens
38 Posted 18/07/2023 at 19:36:21
I'm shocked, Paul. I doubt the folks at the top of our Club are capable even of Artificial Intelligence!
Danny O’Neill
39 Posted 18/07/2023 at 19:51:29
Exactly Brent.

They could always come and join us in the away end, but that my scare them off!!

Good luck to them in their careers. I hope that is with Everton for one or two of them. If not, then in football.

Steve Shave
40 Posted 18/07/2023 at 20:10:22
Wow, some feel a need to mock even our newest recruits. I don't know why I'm surprised by that.

Good luck, lads, I hope you all make a good career for yourselves, preferably with EFC!

John Connor
41 Posted 18/07/2023 at 20:38:57
Good luck to them all. I initially thought it was a picture of our first team.

Who knows the way we are selling and not buying they might be by August, or at least pushing zimmer frames for the older squad members. 🤣

Mike Hayes
42 Posted 18/07/2023 at 21:16:14
Like a new signing x 9!

Good luck – you'll need it at Basket Case Towers. 🤡💙

David West
43 Posted 18/07/2023 at 21:57:49
Is the one in his trainee's the scouser born In West Derby?

Goof luck to them. Hope they know the journey is only beginning and they haven't made it yet.
Thousands of kids like these will be dreaming of making it to the first team a small percentage will go on to make a good living in the game and an even smaller percentage will make it as a regular Premier leauge player.


Phill Thompson
44 Posted 18/07/2023 at 22:45:20
I must admit going on last season and the bits I know about individuals, this is the most underwhelmed I've felt about our Scholars for many years. None of them have stood out as Schoolboys or in international Youth appearances for their country.

George Morgan may have been born in Milton Keynes but he's playing for Wales at youth level, but no real stand-out performances from him. Harrison Armstrong has shown a bit of promise in the few bits I've seen of him but again nothing memorable yet.

Good luck to them all, I hope a couple can get through to the U21s first, then the first team, sometimes the opportunity to train and play full-time provides just the thing for some to kick on.

Kieran Kinsella
45 Posted 19/07/2023 at 00:31:50
Steve Shave,

I was a bit bewildered myself by the first several negative remarks. These are school kids — we know the odds are stacked against them but surely this is one group at the club who haven't conned us, let us down or bled us dry.

Peter Gorman
46 Posted 19/07/2023 at 01:34:21
Why does it say 'VERT' on the stand in the background?
Peter Gorman
47 Posted 19/07/2023 at 01:35:48
Oh sorry, nevermind, I just turned my phone landscape and it actually spells out 'VERTO'.
Greg Nelli
48 Posted 19/07/2023 at 01:41:22
Must say looking at the header photo I love the look of brown shoes and a suit.

Tried it here in Australia, no traction.

Although old mate in the sneakers might need to have a look at himself.

Mick Davies
49 Posted 19/07/2023 at 01:55:43
Fake news. . . . . there are no 'right wingers' in Birkenhead!
Greg Nelli
50 Posted 19/07/2023 at 01:57:00
Mick #49 is that a lament?
Eric Myles
51 Posted 19/07/2023 at 07:02:09
On this 'phone I'm using now I get 8 players in the picture.

I'll have to check on my other two.

Eric Myles
52 Posted 19/07/2023 at 07:10:50
Yep, all 4 'phones have the picture truncated, 3 at 7 players and one at 8.
Si Pulford
53 Posted 19/07/2023 at 08:44:12
Eric it’s funny you havent mentioned any of the others here who have picked up on a bit of unnecessary negativity creeping in.

As for my comment about them becoming professionals.

_new scholars who have been promoted from the Academy to the U18s as full-time players for the upcoming season_

I said they were ‘a group of young kids becoming professionals’ they are all going full time. Never said anything about signing professional contracts?

Semantics are a funny thing. You can usually find whatever your look for if you try hard enough.

Maybe if you read what was written in black and white, paused and thought before you posted your frankly rude responses, you’d decide against getting into the weeds in terms of semantics.

Doubt it though, cheap dig probably more your style.

Si Pulford
54 Posted 19/07/2023 at 08:47:50
Kieran (45) spot on. These kids could well be our future.

Let's wait until they get can buy a pint in a pub before we infect them with the negativity and hate reserved for our 21-year-olds the second they're not perfect. 🤣

Tom Hughes
55 Posted 19/07/2023 at 09:03:11
Reminds me a bit of the end of the Third Reich. Only Hitler Youth and Old soldiers left to bring to the fight.

At least we've got our new wonder weapon almost complete. That will vanquish all our enemies. Heil Kenwright!

Get my coat?

Alan McGuffog
56 Posted 19/07/2023 at 09:11:09
Tom…..if only we had Nuremberg to look forward to.
Eric Myles
57 Posted 19/07/2023 at 09:15:19
Si #53, I just thought that those seeing negativity where there obviously isn't any were just being woke, and there's really nothing you can say to the woke once they get an idea into their head.
Peter Gorman
58 Posted 19/07/2023 at 09:38:16
Woke?

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." — Inigo Montoya.

Steve Shave
59 Posted 19/07/2023 at 09:47:35
Peter, it's a word (along with "snowflake") used by some to discredit the notion of empathy.
Dave Abrahams
60 Posted 19/07/2023 at 10:43:00
All these lads have just left school and looking forward to a career in football. Hopefully one or two will become good professionals with Everton. Good luck to all of them and wishing them success in the future.
Barry Rathbone
61 Posted 19/07/2023 at 10:55:53
Am I missing something?

Surely kids progressing through the ranks happens every year?

Not usually newsworthy because everyone knows they're headed to Chesterfield, Darlington, Tranmere etc.

Is it too cynical to suggest this is another naff deflection from another hilarious transfer window?

Tom Hughes
63 Posted 19/07/2023 at 11:20:13
Alan #56,

For my metaphor to work, we'd have to have a Victory in Europe day first – that looks further off than ever.

That said, Kenwright might yet meet his own Nuremberg in October.

Si Pulford
64 Posted 19/07/2023 at 13:26:34
Eric. I'm not ‘woke' or a ‘snowflake'. I do choose to see the positive in things, we all see things differently on here. I'm more of a stoic than anything else. Marcus Aurelius knew what he was on about. I wonder if he can play up front?
Peter Gorman
65 Posted 19/07/2023 at 14:00:39
Barry @61 - It does indeed happen every year and every year, as with this year, the club announces which kids are staying on as 'scholars'. If and when they sign professional terms, the club will usually stagger the process so every player gets their own announcement.

Is this the club being cynical? Hmm, I always thought it was them doing something nice for the players and their families, giving them a moment in the sun to appreciate all the work and likely sacrifice in getting them this far.

Peter Gorman
66 Posted 19/07/2023 at 14:11:22
If you don't believe me, hear is a video the club did for the scholars in 2017, featuring some random kids called Ellis Simms and Antony Gordon, who look like they'll bring in close to 60 million quid to the club.

https://www.facebook.com/Everton/videos/meet-the-scholars-2017/10154513004136277/

But yes, many will not make it, that's very perceptive of you, so pooh-pooh to the lot of them.

Si Pulford
67 Posted 19/07/2023 at 15:00:00
Good point, Peter. The Academy finally starting to bear fruit. Long may it continue.

A few years before that, we had some great prospects like Davies and Kenny that we could have sold but never, allowing them to leave on frees a few years later.

Dale Self
68 Posted 19/07/2023 at 18:02:57
I heard one put in a request for a transfer already.

Woking of course.

Mark Taylor
69 Posted 19/07/2023 at 18:25:43
Did someone say we are signing the Udinese striker, Marcus Aurelius?
Barry Rathbone
70 Posted 19/07/2023 at 19:52:52
Peter Gorman @66,

I see the point went right over your head.

David West
71 Posted 19/07/2023 at 19:53:37
Peter 66 exactly.

Some people may be disappointed when they see a lad like Simms leave but this is what the Academy needs to do to be productive. A self-sufficient academy or even a profitable academy is a must for us.

For every Anthony Gordon, there are 40-50 players every couple of years that are not going to rake in £40 - 50M. But if we keep churning out £3-4-6-10M young lads, then that's a positive.

Yes, a few may prove themselves away from Everton but you can't hold on to all of them just in case they become top class. Loan after loan until they are 22 or 23, then it's obvious they are not good enough.

Class is visible from a young age, imo. If they are not knocking on the first-team door by 21 or even established themselves by then, then it's a time they are still classed as potential and have a value that reflects that.

If they are left in the Under-21s or constantly loaned out, they are not progressing their value drops.

We now have Cannon who moves up to take Simms's place as the young striker trying to prove he's Premier League quality. We have £6-10m banked and, imo, the squad is not worse, quality-wise.

Peter Gorman
72 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:21:34
Barry, you don't have a point. That's the point.

Barry Rathbone
73 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:29:29
Peter @72,

I do but it's completely eluded you in your attempt to waffle about why we should have an academy.

Peter Gorman
74 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:31:15
Then work on your communication skills, Barry lad.

Or will your next clue be in the form of a riddle?

Barry Rathbone
75 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:34:18
Peter @74,

"Not usually newsworthy… Is it too cynical to suggest this is another naff deflection from another hilarious transfer window?"

Plain as day if your comprehension skills take precedence over trying to be a smart-arse.

Peter Gorman
76 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:39:35
Oh phew, that's exactly how I read it and that's why I pointed out how wrong you were.

In case my point went over your head; I'm saying that it can hardly be a 'naff deflection' if the club does this every year regardless of how hilarious you find the transfer window.

My other point, in case you're interested, is that not "everybody knows" where they'll end up, so try being a smart-arse rather than a misery guts.

Barry Rathbone
77 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:43:18
Peter @76,

In which case, you will comfortably dig out the same story and equivalent pics from let's say - the last 5 years on TW.

In your own time…

Peter Gorman
78 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:50:07
Everton announce 12 new Scholars in Under-18s

That's from last year and took me about 3 secs to find, though there are no pictures so you'll probably count that as some kind of win.

Rob Halligan
79 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:54:41
Peter……here's one from 2 years ago as well……..

Meet Everton's 2021-22 Academy Scholars

Couldn't find it on TW but on the club website. I'm sure there would have been a thread on it though.

Barry Rathbone
80 Posted 19/07/2023 at 20:59:03
Peter @78,

Try not to worry about it, kiddo, you're not the first to see what they want to see and invent imaginary dragons to slay here.

Before going all smartarse, take a deep breath, read the comment again and make sure you understand the actual point – not what you imagine.

Duncan McDine
81 Posted 19/07/2023 at 21:48:48
Dennis Stevens (38) and Peter Gorman (47) - you both cracked me up with your comments - brilliant!!

Shame about the handbags on this thread though

Peter Gorman
82 Posted 19/07/2023 at 22:06:55
Nah, it's fine Barry, I give up guessing - I can only work with what you write, especially if you prefer to waggle your finger at me, going 'aaaah' instead of elaborating.

Here's to a less hilarious transfer window going forwards

Paul Jones
83 Posted 19/07/2023 at 22:23:49
The only reason articles like this get so much traction is the absence of any news about the first team proper. People come on here to vent their anger about the club while others hit out at them for rubbishing the achievements of these teenagers whilst doing so.

We haven't got a functioning board any more. A complete disgrace at this point of the year when every other club seems to be making strides in the transfer market in preparation for the season ahead. Deep down, we all know the reason for this and who is to blame for it.

I was thinking today about Usmanov's sports washing. If Kenwright had done the right thing and put the club up for sale rather than 'investment' then Moshiri and his puppet master would have struggled to get a foothold in the club, as a complete overhaul of our infrastructure would have thrown the spotlight on the details of a new regime. But by getting Moshiri to prop him up and turn on the money laundering tap for his train set, Kenwright merely became the puppet of a puppet and now we're all f**ked.


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