Source: Team_Talk
Pro joy for Pompey quartet
Four of Portsmouth's Academy players have signed one-year professional contracts with the Championship club.[LNB] Eighteen-year-olds Perry Ryan, Ellis Martin and Pete Gregory and Billy Goddard, who is 17, have all been rewarded for their steady performances and progression through the youth ranks at Fratton Park.[LNB]Ryan is a central defender, Goddard and Martin play in midfield while Gregory is a right-sided player comfortable either at the back or on the wing.[LNB]"As the club moves forward we have to rely more on producing our own talent," head of youth development Paul Smalley told the club's official website. "Most clubs look upon one or two coming through each year with regard to signing professional contracts, so we feel very fortunate that we have four potentially good players who have benefited from a club of this stature and who can hopefully continue their progress.[LNB]"These players have been here a long time and a club like Pompey has to continue to invest in the youth programme. In return I'm sure we will continue to provide players not just for the football industry but for the senior team here.[LNB]"When you consider what this club has been through it is fantastic seeing players who have progressed being so excited at signing their first professional contract. We hope it is the first four of many more."
