Thursday 20th April 2000 : Heartbreak and joy for trainees

Youth team coach Dale Brooks revealed today the fate of the third year trainees or 'scholars' who were hoping for professional contracts with Cambridge United.

The teenagers were told a week ago that forward Mark Gibson and defender Dale Cockrill would be offered professional contracts, while Leighton Hill, Darren Howe, Alim Kamara and Darren Cox had their dreams shattered. 19-year-old striker Andy Ingham, who signed a professional contract just days after turned 17, will also be released.

Brooks said, "Obviously this is the part of the job that no one enjoys. We've worked with these lads for maybe two years or more, and in some cases for many years.

"Of those who are released Leighton Hill can maybe consider himself unfortunate. He's a Welsh Under-16 international, captained the youth team for three-quarters of the season, and he's been consistent, but we think he's maybe lacking something to take him on from the youth team to the reserves. He's going home to Wales to think things over.

"Darren Howe we picked up from Luton last year but he hasn't fulfilled the potential we thought he had. He hasn't been able to push on. Darren Cox has been released from his third year as we think he's really not good enough for Cambridge United, but it's difficult sometimes to know if we've got it right or wrong.

"We'll do everything we can to help these lads and give them very good references as they've been tremendous for Cambridge United. I'd like to wish them all well, and in some ways you would like to keep them all on."

On the brighter side, Brooks spoke of the two youngsters who have been offered professional contracts with the club. "Mark Gibson has been offered a one year extension to his contract, while Dale Cockrill was not a scholar and was on non-contract terms. Mark was on the YTS but had some injuries so we froze it, which we are able to do, and added a year on the end. Dale Cockrill was non-contract and we've offered him a year's contract. Demba Traore, the young Swedish trialist, we've also offered a year to him."

Moving on to the younger youth team members, United's youth team boss reported, "We've also offered one year extensions to two first years who are Graham Rush and Daniel Huggins, and we will have seven new scholars for next season.

"They are Jermaine Lowe, who plays in midfield; Robert Thornton, a goalkeeper; Henry Armes, a defender; Rikki George,a defender; Lee Bennett, a midfielder; Jonathan Heathcote, a wide player or striker, and Kevin Winkworth, a striker."

Returning to the two lads who are the latest to graduate to Cambridge United's professional ranks from the youth team, Brooks explained a little more about them:

"Mark Gibson is a wide player or striker. He's quick, he's got good feet, he's a 100% player, an honest lad. Dale Cockrill is a defender and he's what we call a 'gold dust' player as he's a left-footer. He's got a lot to learn but he's very receptive.

"Obviously as young footballers they need to adopt their own yardsticks but next season they should be pressing for places in the reserves. Mark suffered a few injuries this year while Dale has come late into football but he's done well. It's a big year for these lads, a make or break year, and they should be looking to establish themselves in the reserves.

"I would just like to say to the lads who are leaving us that I wish them all the best for their future, and if there's anything I can do, or Cambridge United can do to help them, we will."