 Following in the footsteps taken by Rai Simons, several Bermuda youngsters are currently enrolled at the Ilkeston FC Academy program.
Simons helped the Ilkeston Academy to a long run in the Youth FA Cup before being called into the Ilkeston FC 1st team, eventually earning a transfers to League One Chesterfield where he signed on Professional Terms at the end of last season.
The Bermuda Hogges through Paul Scope's contacts in the UK, have developed the partnership with Ilkeston FC to provide a pathway toward professional football for Bermuda's promising players.
Simons has been the most successful beneficiary of the linkup to date. The positive showings from other Bermuda players such as Antwan Russell and Lejaun Simmons helped to spark a more keen interest in the Islands player pool, leading to the present crop.
There are 5 players currently at the club enrolled in educational courses as a part of the full time academy program including Jahquille Hill, David Jones Jr., Tehvan Tyrell, J'Nai Butterfield Steede and Paul Douglas.
The players are currently playing with the academy teams and are called into training and matches with the First Team and Reserves.
In matches recently Jones Jr. came on late in the second half with his team down 2 – 0 against Long Eaton United in the Derbyshire Senior Cup for his first team debut, Jones Jr. making an impression helped win a penalty to pull the team back into the match before narrowly losing 2 - 1.
Ilkeston fielded a very young side made up mostly of the FA Youth Cup squad plus a few first teamers amongst them.
Hill started in goal, the intent was to give the youth squad a tough run out, to gauge their readiness. Hill conceded a penalty in the first half for the opening goal but had a fairly solid night.
Earlier in the day Tyrell grabbed 3 goals as a young youth team depleted by call ups was defeated 7-3 away at GMeg.
Tyrell and Jones have both been in impressive form scoring in the youth teams. Jones' form has earned him a call into the first team training sessions.
Hill trains with the first team and has been contesting as a reserve goal keeper.
Butterfield Steede is a left side player making progress in the academy teams with his strong work ethic and positive attitude.
Douglas is the most recent Bermuda arrival at Ilkeston Academy and is making impressions after recently receiving his international clearance and becoming involved in more academy matches.
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