Quintet Net Pro Contracts

[jonnymfc]

Defenders Jordan Halsman and Dario Quinn, midfielder Peter Innes and forwards Steven Lawless and Gary Smith are all ineligible, due to age, to play youth football next campaign but have done enough to be awarded two-year contracts by Craig Brown.

 

Two other players from the current Under 19s who have played in the first team, Jamie Pollock and Steven Meechan, already have contracts taking them beyond this summer.

 

Head of Youth Gordon Young said, ““These contracts are rewards for the individual hard work. It’s very pleasing and satisfying to see people coming through the club. It’s now the next stage in their career and hopefully they’ll progress.

 

“Getting these boys through is the icing on the cake for us. If you take people in at the bottom end, nurture them and give them the opportunity to step up, the acid test is can they get out at the other end. It’s great to have 100 or so kids in your youth development system but ultimately, you’re measured on how many make it into the first-team squad and we’ve got such a healthy number.

 

“With the young players already in the first team squad, within a few years, the spine of the starting eleven could be made up of boys who have came through the system and that’s a brilliant achievement for Motherwell Football Club.”

 

 

THE PLAYERS

Name: Jordan Halsman

DOB: 13th June 1991

Born: Glasgow

Position: Left back

 

Jordan arrived at Motherwell in the summer of 2008 after being released by Aberdeen. He immediately impressed in the left-back role, forming a formidable four-man defence with Steven Saunders, Shaun Hutchinson and Jonathan Page – all of whom are signed on professional contracts by the club. However, it wasn’t until his second season that he really began to shine and was rewarded with his first-team debut against Celtic at Parkhead back in October of last year. Halsman’s tidy, composed and with a good eye for a pass. His brother, Bradley, is an up-and-coming star in the Under 17’s.

 

Name: Dario Quinn

DOB: 22nd December 1991

Born: Glasgow

Position: Centre Back

Brother to former Celtic midfielder Rocco, Dario Quinn is a big, brave centre back who has improved immensely over the last twelve months. Dario is one of a few who have progressed through the ranks at Motherwell, joining the club’s Pro Youth system aged 13. With the promotion of Saunders, Hutchinson and Page to the first-team, Quinn has been the rock at the heart of the ‘Well defence. As well as being a commanding figure very much in the Stephen Craigan mould, Quinn has also improved a great deal with the ball at his feet and can often be found starting the Motherwell counter attacks bursting from the back.

 

Name: Peter Innes

DOB: 26th April 1991

Born: Bellshill

Position: Centre Midfield

 

Another who has been in the Motherwell ranks for more than four years; Innes is the captain of the current Motherwell Under 19’s. He’s everything you want in a tenacious midfielder; tough, hard and not afraid to put his body into the mix if required. However, his “Scott Leitchesque” style shouldn’t be confused with a lack of technical ability; Innes is more than capable of splitting a defence with a through ball and has a fair shot if required.

 

Name: Steven Lawless

DOB: 12th April 1991

Born: Bellshill

Position: Forward

 

Lawless, a Scotland U19 International, is an excellent prospect and plays with great heart and desire. The 18-year-old broke his leg early on in his youth career but triumphed over adversity to come back a stronger player. Despite being just 5ft 7, Lawless, like another former Motherwell hitman Dougie Arnott, is good in the air. He also defies his physical stature by being as strong as an ox and even as early as last year, was muscling much bigger and more experienced opponents off the ball for the Reserve side. But it is his willingness to work, constantly, to close down defenders and his hold up and positional play that provides the biggest menace. He’s also a predator in front of goals and is in double figures already for this season. He got his first sniff of first-team football in February when he was an unused substitute in the home win against Hibs.

 

Name: Gary Smith

DOB: 28th May 1991

Born: Glasgow

Position: Striker

 

Smith signed in the summer from Queens Park after being tracked by Gordon Young for over three years. A big striker has hit the ground running in his first, and only, season in Motherwell U19’s and currently sits top of the leagues scoring charts with fourteen goals already to his name. It’s not just goal in his locker though, Smith has developed a fine partnership with Lawless and has become a great link-up man with both his strike partner, and others the likes of Jamie Pollock, Robert McHugh and Steven Meechan.

[Wellworn]

Been posted mate. http://www.steelmenonline.co.uk/forums/ind...mp;#entry186275

[jonnymfc]

Good to see, hope to see these boys in action soon.

[Frazzie]

Something a bit special about seeing the crop of '91 coming through. Good luck to them.

[smeddum07]

Good luck to them especially dario quinn who was a quality player for my FM 2009 lewes team who destroyed league 1 and won JPT Played right back was strong good runner and good tackler

[Maxi]

Dont think Lawless broke his leg, iirc he broke his foot, as he was recovering from it during the first month of college.

[James]

Maxi, he broke both the bones in his lower leg, needed surgery on it. Think he was only 14/14 at the time. Nasty break did well to recover from it and go on to get full time contract. Well done stephen and the other boys, credit to the club and the youth system!

[Maxi]

Didn't realise it was that bad.

Makes more chuffed for him knowin he's made it up to the first team next season.

[wee g]

Steven Lawless.... Metatarsal break 12 yrs old, Double leg break - aged 14 & his toe at 17, so both of you are right.

[Finlay]

Bloody hell. Most players would be unlucky to get that in their career nevermind before 19.

[brazilmfc]

Good luck boys.