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BREAKING NEWS | Taddy Youngster Signs For Pro Club

BREAKING NEWS | Taddy Youngster Signs For Pro Club

Jay Taylor23 Apr 2018 - 14:04
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We can today confirm that defender Harry Sheppeard has signed a two-year professional contract with Championship side Sheffield United.

The speedy full-back has been a regular in the U21’s for the past two seasons but was given his chance in the first team in 2018, a chance which he has taken with both hands and not looked back. Sheppeard will stay with the Brewers for the remainder of the season but since breaking into the first team, the York resident has made 18 appearances recording one goal and one assist from right-back.

Sheppeard’s blistering pace and direct running down the right-hand side has seen him rapidly become a favourite amongst the terraces as another Taddy star moves up the pyramid. Sheppeard follows in the footsteps of Alfie Beestin (Doncaster Rovers), Romario Vieira (Leeds United) as well as Ronaldo Vieira (Leeds United) who came through the i2i Academy.

“I am delighted to have signed for Sheffield United and can’t wait to get started” stated Sheppeard.

“I’d like to give a big thanks to Mikey & Si and everyone involved with i2i because without their coaching for the last three years, I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in now.”

Sheppeard has been an integral member of the i2i/York College side over the past two years enjoying great success reaching three national finals and winning one. Sheppeard joins a good number of players that have now progressed into the professional game from the i2i Academy and Tadcaster Albion.

“They have helped me develop massively as a player and playing in the i2i Academy for the last two years at York College has been a great experience.”

“The college lads are a top set of lads and it’s been great to share the two years with them and having the success we have had is a huge bonus. It would be fitting and the perfect way to end the two years reaching another National Final, going out on a high.”

“Having success in the College team and for the U21’s has then led to me getting a chance in the Tadcaster Albion first team which I am grateful to have had the backing once again from Mikey & Si to train with them at the start of the season.”

“I knew I had to work hard and be patient for my chance and take it when it came around. Playing regularly in the second half of the season and holding down my position has been a challenge but has brought me on as a player.”

“I’ve enjoyed being involved all year whether it’s training or playing and the lads welcomed me into the team and made me feel comfortable which helps massively when playing in a new side.”

Matthew Gore, CEO of i2i also expressed his delight with helping another young aspiring footballer sign for a professional club. “This is exactly how we envisaged the i2i model working, it’s proving that it is successful and we will continue to make it work moving forward.”

“It all started with our Head of Recruitment [Neil Sanderson] out on the Knavesmire on an awful Sunday morning watching him play as a youngster. He has progressed all the way up through our system of the Academy, College, Tadcaster U21’s to then being noticed playing in the first team.”

“Harry fully deserves the move, he has worked incredibly hard over the years. He comes from a great family and will continue to be supported by i2i and everyone around him. This is the start of his journey in the professional game, he has to prove himself all over again and it’s going to require hard work and gritty determination”

“The move gives us tremendous pleasure as an organisation after Harry was released from York City as a youngster. We helped him progress, develop and stay in the game and it just proves that we have a brilliant pathway for any aspiring footballer.”

Head of Academy Michael Morton said “We are delighted for Harry, he is a great lad with huge potential. We have a formula here at i2i that is working. We are proud of all our players and look forward to helping many more achieve their ambitions in the game.

Morton went on to say: "We have been immensely impressed by all at Sheffield United, their scouting system has been first class. It is a perfect fit for Harry, he is joining a fantastic club and they will give him every chance to make it in the game.”

We will see Harry return in pre-season when we face Sheffield United U23's on 6th July.

From all at Tadcaster Albion Football Club, congratulations Harry!

#ATAW

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