Academy scholar on 2014 Championship shortlist
Huddersfield Town Academy scholar Jake Charles has been named on a three man shortlist for the League Football Education’s Championship Apprentice of the Year accolade at the 2014 Football League Awards.
Jake will compete against Derby County’s Mason Bennett and Middlesbrough’s Bryn Morris at the ceremony in London on Sunday 16 March 2014.
Players eligible for this award are those in the second year of their apprenticeship, with judges looking at the record of the player in all competitions since he became an apprentice alongside his education attainment, disciplinary record and any other outstanding achievements.
The shortlist of three is decided upon by the League Football Association (LFE), which was established in 2004 by The Football League and the Professional Footballers’ Association to deliver the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence education programme to 16 to 18-year-old players at the 72 Football League clubs.
Mirfield-based Jake played for local teams Battyeford Juniors and Garforth Villa before joining Town’s Academy in his under-11 season.
He has also been capped internationally by Wales at several age groups and currently boasts five caps for their Under-17 side – earning his first at the age of 15.
This season Jake, playing mostly as a ‘number 10’, has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances for Town’s Under-18 side. He’s also made three substitute appearances for the Under-21 side and has trained with the First Team on several occasions.
Huddersfield Town’s Academy Manager Mark Lillis commented:
“On behalf of the Club, I would like to congratulate Jake on his nomination for this award; we’re all very proud of him.
“Jake comes into the Club and works hard every single day both on the training field and on his off the field education. On the field he has enjoyed a good season so far, but he also has a keenness to learn and realises that he still has a lots to improve upon as a footballer.
“It’s a great testament to the Academy that two scholars have been shortlisted for this award in a very competitive Championship category. I believe it is more evidence that the Club is moving forward and developing.”
Charles’ nomination continues the Club’s proud tradition in the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category at the industry’s premier awards ceremony – he is the fifth Huddersfield Town scholar to make a three man shortlist in just seven years.
Last season midfielder Duane Holmes was shortlisted, as was Matt Crooks for the League 1 category in 2012.
Prior to those nominations, Joe Skarz (2007) and Daniel Broadbent (2008) won the League 1 Apprentice of the Year award.
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