Released Shrews youngsters given a chance by AFC Telford
AFC Telford have taken four youngsters on trial from Shrewsbury Town as they look to youth for the future.
Right-back Ryan Hickman, centre-half Jeff Watkins, and central midfielders Niall Flint and Alex Fletcher have been training with the Bucks this week after being released from the Greenhous Meadow.
The second-year scholars could remain with Telford as boss Steve Kittrick looks towards next season.
"Three or four of them who have been released from Shrewsbury have been training with us this week," said Kittrick.
"They played against us in the Shropshire Senior Cup.
"They enjoyed training with us and they are coming back next week and hopefully they will be here for pre-season. We need some good young players to keep the senior players on their toes."
Kittrick believes it is vital the youngsters can see fresh hope at a time when they have suffered a major blow.
"I want to give them a chance because they will be down so I want to give them hope," said the boss.
"I've just stood on the periphery and watched them with two of our academy lads to see what they can do, but I've said to them that sometimes you have to take a step back to go forwards.
"People forget but when this sort of thing happens, some lads fall out of love with the game – they can fall away and lose interest in football.
"So it was right for us to invite them to get playing football as soon as possible.
"I know their heads weren't right so they need to play football straight away."
Kittrick says the players have been brought up with the right footballing habits.
He said. "They've been schooled well – they've all got good touches and technically they're very good."
Meanwhile, Kittrick believes on-loan defender Glenn Matthews heads back to Bolton a better player after he returned to the Macron.
Kittrick thought the full-back was due to stay for the rest of the season but said he was powerless to keep him once he was told of the decision yesterday.
But he denied finances played a part.
"Bolton allowed him to come to us for his development and I think he's learnt an awful lot," said Kittrick.
"He's played men's football which is what he wanted, he's done well and it's a learning curve.
"Academy football and Under-21s football isn't the best (for developing first-team players).
"You see people that are technical but when it starts getting physical in men's football, it's a different kettle of fish."
