Harrogate Town AFC

We are delighted to bring you the news that Robbie Wilson and Oli Robinson from our PDC have this month accepted an offer of a scholarship to become part of the club's academy squad from next season.

Speaking with Robbie's Dad Glen, he insists the belief which Town coaches placed in Robbie over the years has helped him to improve not only as a player but as a person too.

“I am really proud of the fact Robbie has been able to get the scholarship. He has put in a lot of hard work to get to this stage and we are looking forward to the next stage of his journey with the club.

“You could see Josh Walsh believed in Robbie as a footballer and that is something which is important to me as a parent. Robbie respected Josh and he listened to everything which Josh said, that helped him to understand what it took for him to improve and he became a better player for that.”

“I also liked the idea that the respect he had for his coaches also helped him to become a better person on the field, as well as within himself.”

Having already featured for the club's academy side, Robbie admits the experience has left him hungry for more.

“I have been on the bench a few times, I have managed to get some minutes under my belt at that level too and just having that experience makes me look forward to next season and being a part of that regularly.

“Whenever I go up, Josh Law and Paul Stansfield are so positive. They are always reminding you that you are there for a reason, they are always showing you the belief they have and that you belong there.”

Oli Robinson has also this month accepted the offer of a scholarship to join the club's academy side having spent some time in our PDC over the last 18 months.

Following spells with club's such as Leeds and Barnsley, Oli's dad James, admits the positivity around the club has been key in Oli's development during his time with the club.

He said: “Choosing the right environment for your child can be so important because you want to see them improve and develop on the pitch and off it. Not every child is going to get a perfect outcome but as long as you can see development and change then you know that it's a good fit.

“That is something which I can see here at this club. The coaches are enthusiastic and you trust that everything they are doing is for a purpose. This club is such a positive place to be around and that positivity is what draws us here.”

Ahead of undertaking the scholarship, Oli believes his close bond with the club's coaches has been key in rebuilding his confidence on the pitch.

“Being released knocks you back both mentally and physically but working with coaches who want the best for you is just massive in helping me to overcome that.

“Josh Walsh has been great with me, he has given me so much coaching time and feedback and I think he has been able to get the best out of me.”