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As we look forward to a new domestic season and European qualification international matches, the following is an attempt to chronologically list what we consider to be the young talent that will help Welsh international teams continue the recent improving performances.
1.
Name: Robert Earnshaw
Present club: Cardiff City
Born: 06/04/1981
Position: Striker
Former clubs: None
Honours: Youth, U-21 and 1 full cap
Comments: An easy choice as the top young Welsh player at present. Robert was an important member of the Cardiff squad that stayed amongst the promotion contenders in Division 2 during the past season. His reputation was certainly enhanced through some of his goal scoring exploits, and then added greatly to, with his general display and goal in the friendly match against Germany at the end of the season. Will undoubtedly be included in the senior squad this coming season, helping strengthen the depth of striking options for Mark Hughes.
2.
Name: Lee Fowler
Present club: Coventry City
Born: 10/06/1983
Position: Midfield
Former clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth
Comments: Lee made a number of first team appearances at Coventry last season, continuing his impressive rise through the junior teams. He is quite likely to be an important member of Gary McAllister’s squad in the coming season, as the team will probably rely on much of its young talent to push for a return to the Premier league. Lee has obviously caught the attention of Mark Hughes, having already been included in a senior squad last season, but at this point the hope is that he will be available to lead an improving U-21 squad to success. ( A pre-season injury has set back Lee’s progress for now. )
3.
Name: David Vaughan
Present club: Crewe Alexandra
Born: 18/02/1983
Position: Midfield
Former clubs: None
Honours: Youth
Comments: David produced some controversy last season, as he decided to wait before commiting himself to Welsh international football. Some impressive performances at Crewe last season after breaking into the first team squad excited some followers of Welsh football talent. Capable of operating in midfield or as a left wing back, he would possibly become an important member of future Welsh teams, if he continues to progress and commits himself to the Cymru cause. ( Great news, David has recently committed himself to Wales. )
4.
Name: Jason Brown
Present club: Gillingham
Born: 18/05/1982
Position: Goalkeeper
Former clubs: None
Honours: -
Comments: A very welcomed addition to Welsh football hopes for the future. Jason seems to have positioned himself as the Gillingham first team goalkeeper during the second half of last season. Although there is generally a good supply and high calibre goalkeeping talent available for Welsh managers when judging from previous years, the obvious benefit of having Neville Southall in his prime was a huge bonus for the Welsh teams of that time. Whether Jason can aspire to such a high level remains to be seen, but early indications seem to make him a leading candidate as a future replacement for Paul Jones.
5.
Name: Shaun Pejic
Present club: Wrexham
Born: 16/11/1982
Position: Central Defender
Former clubs: None
Honurs: -
Comments: Another who was a nice surprise to find he qualified for Wales. Has progressed through the Wrexham teams, making a very favourable impression on a number of first team appearances last season. He will likely find himself a candidate to move up the divisions in future seasons, doing so with Wrexham would be an ideal situation. A central defender, who, if he goes on to emulate the success of his uncle Mike, can be an important part of the future of Welsh football. ( Shaun seems firmly entrenched as a Wrexham regular for the coming season. )
6.
Name: Gareth Williams
Present club: Crystal Palace
Born: 10/09/1982
Position: Striker
Former clubs: None
Honours: U-21
Comments: Although he has yet to make a first team appearance for Crystal Palace, Gareth was introduced into the Welsh U-21 team with a reputation of being a skilful striker with an eye for goal. An exiting young prospect who was the top scorer for Palace reserves last season. If he continues to progress, he will become a valuable asset for both club and country. South African born to Welsh parents, another who boosts the Wales talent pool through the parentage rule. ( Gareth seems to be making strong claims for Palace first team place in the pre-season games. )
7.
Name: Jamie Tolley
Present club: Shrewsbury Town
Born: 12/05/1983
Position: Midfield
Former clubs: None
Honours: U-21
Comments: Jamie became a regular in the Shrewsbury team during the 2000-2001 season before his seventeenth birthday, but injury severely limited his appearances during the past season. A tall strong midfielder, he was recruited for the Wales U-21 team in the spring of 2001. Hopefully will recapture that form and continue to progress to a higher level of football. ( Pre-season indications suggest that Jamie is firmly back in the Shrewsbury first team plans. )
8.
Name: James Collins
Present club: Cardiff City
Born: 23/08/1983
Position: Defender/Striker
Former clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth
Comments: James made his Cardiff debut as a sixteen year old and has already made more than a good impression on several occasions. His appearances have been somewhat limited as he competes at a club with a very large playing squad containing a high number of experienced professionals. James is a player who is comfortable both in central defence and attack, which may draw inevitable comparisons with John and Mel Charles. Although mainly used as a forward to date, it is expected that James will likely become an accomplished central defender in future.
9.
Name: Andrew Mumford
Present club: Swansea City
Born: 18/06/1981
Position: Midfield
Former clubs: Llanelli
Honours: -
Comments: A talented player who drew a good deal of interest from a number of clubs before finally moving from Llanelli to Swansea. The progression of players from the League of Wales into international consideration is always pleasing to those of us excited at the prospect of a strong and successful Welsh international set up. Andrew is yet to fulfill his potential and the new season will need to see him commited to firmly establishing himself in the Swansea first team for him to begin doing so.
10.
Name: Craig Morgan
Present club: Wrexham
Born: 18/05/1985
Position: Central Defender
Former clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth
Comments: Although Craig still has two seasons of eligibility remaining for the Welsh youth team, he has made excellent progress in his first season at the Wrexham academy, leading to a first team appearance. A continuation will quite likely see him challenge strongly for regular first team appearances. There is a little hesitation in placing such a lofty burden on young players, but Craig’s performances thus far leads one to hope he will continue toward being a defensive rock for future Welsh senior teams.
Our decision to stop at ten is obviously open to debate. Darren Moss, David Sherman and Kevin Gall all received strong consideration for places on the list. This is certainly a matter of opinion. All of these players will be extremely important as the core members of the Welsh U-21 team in the next couple of seasons, although Robert Earnshaw for one, is likely to be a more regular member of the senior side. In addition to this, it will take strong perfomances from other players included in the squad, for the U-21 team to have a successful qualification campaign. It is heartening that there are a reasonable number of players not mentioned by name here who have placed themselves in the promising category as they progressed through the junior teams at their clubs. They are now 19 and 20 year olds and are considered to be on the fringe of the first team squads at their respective clubs. Their resolve to improve and move up to the next level can certainly be a boost for Welsh football. In addition to Craig Morgan, there are a number of other players who are also still eligible for the Welsh youth teams and have already carved out a reputation for themselves. Matthew Crowell, Arron Davies, Gareth Williams and Richard Jones, ( all at Southampton ), Craig Garside ( Everton ), Craig Steins ( Leeds ), Michael Byrne ( Bolton ), and Ramon Calliste ( Man. Utd ) are the most prominent names at the moment. Our hope is that all of these boys and a number of others will continue to have good fortune and realise the personal thrill of representing Wales at the highest level. All Welsh supporters will, I am sure, want to join with us in wishing them all the very best, continuing to do all within our power to inspire them in their endeavours.
I close by stating that this article is a collaboration of the views of John Lloyd Jones and Sion Jones. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of everyone who contributes to our personal thoughts through interesting and informative internet sites and other communication means, as we follow our hobby of being Welsh football fans. We hope to have produced some pleasant reading and possibly a platform for friendly debate. A new season always develops with unexpected twists and turns, can we be so bold as to expect all surprises for Welsh football to be pleasant ones.
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