Roberts and Humphreys offered contracts with Oxford United
Oxford United are pleased to announce that two more highly promising youngsters have been offered their first professional contracts with the club.
Striker James Roberts and Winger Sam Humphreys were both told earlier today that they will be offered professional deals following their two year scholarships. Striker Roberts, from Aylesbury, has scored 22 goals this season in Chris Allen’s successful youth side while Oxford-born Humphreys has netted eleven times.
Chris told us:
“They have both done extremely well. Robbo has scored goals ever since he arrived at the club and been our top scorer for the least two years while Sam has been outstanding and very consistent. They are both intelligent lads who want to learn and want to work hard and I am sure they will go on to have terrific careers.”
The pair will join midfielder Josh Ashby as professionals next season and follow in a line of promising youngsters to have moved in to the first team via the youth system. Max Crocombe and Ty Marsh have been joined by Callum O’Dowda, Sam Long and David Lynn this season and with Josh Ruffels now established in the first team United now have nine local lads in their first team squad.
Manager Gary Waddock said:
“I am pleased for the two lads. They have great attitudes and it is always good to see players do well at their local side. The fans always get behind them and want them to succeed and along with Josh Ashby they now have a wonderful opportunity here. “
Sadly not everyone can be taken on as professionals. Second year scholars Josh Hill, Conor Ingram, Duran Martin, James Clarke, Greg Hackett, Jamie Calvin and Marvin Ekpiteta will be released at the end of their scholarships. Chris Allen told us:
“It is a tough day because those lads have worked so hard and been a pleasure to have around. They are a credit to themselves and to their families and we will do all we can to help them find clubs and careers.”