Current LFE apprentice Jack Taylor has signed his first professional contract with Sutton United.
The 18-year-old was an important member of Sutton’s U18s squad last season and has since continued to impress this season, plying his trade in non league, having enjoyed spells with Burgess Hill Town and Hornchurch.
After signing his contract, Jack said: ”It’s something I’ve been working towards since I started playing when I was about four or five, and now it’s here I’m over the moon to have signed that paper. The work starts now to give myself the best chance.”
First team manager Steve Morrison added: ”I’m really pleased for Jack, his family and the football club. It’s something we need to do, to bridge the gap between the academy and the first team, as they work really hard and earn their loan moves and there has to be a reward at the end of it. When players like Jack stand out you want to get them tied down and the future of the football club secured, and players like Jack are the future of the club.”
Academy Manager Jimmy Dack also praised Taylor’s recent development. ”We wanted to get the second year academy lads out on loan to get their experience playing in men’s football and it will be less of a gap for them to get in to the first team. Jack did really well at Burgess Hill and we felt he needed to step up to the next level, so he went to Hornchurch and did brilliantly, so he’s earned his professional contract. You couldn’t wish for a nicer kid and it shows that with a good attitude and mentality that anything can happen. I’ve got no doubts he’s going to go on and do really well for himself. Steve’s said that if players are good enough he’ll play them, which is really encouraging for us as an academy knowing we’ll get opportunities, and that’s all you can ask for as a young player.”
