INTRODUCING OUR NEW UNDER 11s

The floodlights at Tannadice lit up the night sky for a special occasion as we introduce the latest batch of Our Academy recruits to the Under 11s for the forthcoming calendar year.

Last week, we officially welcomed eleven new Under 11s (born 2012) as they signed their first registration with the club. The Young Terrors hope to follow in the footsteps of players like Craig Moore and Kerr Smith who have made an impact on the first team at Dundee United.

Congratulations go to Jakob Mitchell (Maryfield Utd), Daniel Meneely, Noah Fleming, Zack McNicoll (all Riverside Community Sports Club), Thomas Howe (Monifieth Athletic), Lyall O’Donnell, Callan Murphy (both Blue Brazil BC), Kaleb Miller (Banks of Dee Albion), Cairn Allan (East End Boys), Josh McNaughton (Fair City) and Ruairidh Learmont (Hutchison Vale Boys Club). As with all our age groups, younger players will also feature with the Under 11s throughout the year including Mason Small (Dundee West), Murray Tufft (East End Boys) and others from our Pre-Academy programme.  

This event, held outdoors due to Covid restrictions, brought the youngsters into Tannadice for some very special photo opportunities. Each player was accompanied by their parents and one or two siblings to experience the pleasure of walking on the hallowed turf at Tannadice for the very first time.

Academy Director Andy Goldie said, "It’s always one of the most enjoyable night of the year as we celebrate our youngest players officially registering with the club for the first time. As with all rewards at Dundee United, they have to be earned and the boys have certainly done that through their enthusiasm, love of the game and, of course, their footballing potential.

"It is a proud and exciting moment in their young lives and it is important that we, as an Academy and a Club, ensure that they feel exactly the same coming into every session and game, every year they re-register and through all the additional opportunities and experiences they’ll benefit from throughout their journey with Our Academy.

"It is also an important occasion to recognise the outstanding work by Our Academy staff, who ensure the continued success of the Pre-Academy programme, Jordan Moore, Chris McKean, our regional Academy scouts, Scott Madden, Andy Steeves and our Pre-Academy coaches have worked tirelessly over the past two years to provide our youngest players with the best possible age-specific experience and, as such, deserve to share this moment as well."

Pre Academy & Events Manager Scott Madden added: "Our 2012 signing night was an opportunity to inspire Our Academy's newest players. It allowed them to see the stadium they will hopefully play in one day and see their name on the back of a Dundee United FC shirt. My role as Pre-Academy Manager is to provide experiences for our youngest players that they and their families will remember forever. Tonight has been one of those nights. 

"This has been the culmination of lots of hard work by our recruitment team, coaching staff, players and their parents. We would like to thank all of the players, grassroots clubs and volunteers who have played such a huge role in the development of these young players. As a club, we are excited to see how the group develops and we look forward to providing lots more experiences for them in the future."