Academy duo signing festive first team forms

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Tividale are rewarding academy duo Shaquille Whittingham and Desean Martin with first team forms for Christmas.

Whittingham, pictured right and Martin, left, are both 17 and have impressed manager Ian Long over the last month while training with the first team squad.

The Dale’s youth recruitment manager Lloyd McCormack is delighted that the pair have shown their potential.

McCormack said: "Shaq and Desean are two very, very talented individuals. I’m pleased that they will be signing first team forms in the coming days because it’s the next step in their development.

"This will give them the opportunity to train with the first team on a regular basis, as well as playing in our scholarship matches.

Whittingham spent four years with Walsall’s academy and McCormack believes the striker has a big future ahead of him while he says midfielder Martin will also benefit from being in and around the first team environment.

He added: "Shaq is a good player. He’s a good finisher and works extremely hard. He needs to keep showing the same application as he has done since joining Tividale’s academy system.

"Desean is good on the ball. He needs to keep his head down and continue learning. Training with the likes of Sam Williams, David Bellis and Chris Field will only help his development as a player."

Tividale are away to Sutton Coldfield Town on Boxing Day and at home to Lincoln United on Christmas Sunday.

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