Reds recruit top young stars
MANCHESTER City goalkeeper James Trafford has secured a season long loan to Accrington Stanley, and says it was always part of the plan to play first team football next season.
Trafford has emerged as one of the brighter goalkeeping talents in City’s academy, and was involved in a number of matchday squads as the third choice keeper last season.
On six occasions, including four in the Champions League, Trafford was named on the bench for the first team, and travelled to Porto in the Champions League final squad.
Now he will continue his development with an EFL loan to the League One club, and the 18-yearold says both he and City were keen for a step up to regular first team action in 2021/22.
Trafford joined City from Carlisle United as an Under-12 and progressed through the ranks at the Etihad Stadium, before signing his first professional contract in July 2020.
He was named on the bench for Pep Guardiola’s side on six occasions during the 2020/21 campaign, including the club’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals.
The Cockermouth-born goalkeeper has also represented his parent club in the Papa John’s Trophy, with the youngster keeping a clean sheet in victories over both Mansfield Town and Scunthorpe United.
Trafford is an England youth international and the 18-year-old played a pivotal role as City secured last season’s Premier League 2 Division 1 title for the first time in the club’s history.
Reds boss John Coleman said: “James is highly regarded at Manchester City, I have watched him a few times and he ticks the boxes for us. He is keen to develop here.
“Man City hope he will break through to the first team and he needs to use us as a springboard.
“It does mean we have a group of young goalkeepers at the club but if he is good enough, he is old enough in my view.
“Toby Savin had a breakthrough season last year and it will be a straight fight between Toby and James for a first team place.”
Trafford said: “Me and the goalkeeping staff at City have always felt this was the right time to come out on loan after my second year as a scholar so I am really excited.
“I used to play against Accrington at Carlisle and so I have always looked out for them in the league.
“I have trained with Toby and Liam (Isherwood) and it’s a group that has lots of energy, they are two really good lads and it’s competitive in training.
“It’s going to be a lot different to what I’ve experienced in the academy and first team. I can’t wait because it’ll make me better as a person and as a goalkeeper.”
Reflecting on his experiences with City’s first team, Trafford was keen to play down the experiences of featuring in a Champions League semifinal among other senior duties last season.
“They’ve been alright experiences,” he said. “But I haven’t really thought of it. I’ve lived in the moment, enjoyed it and learned as much as I can.
“It was really different but at the same time similar to what I’ve experienced over the years, with no fans. It was like any ordinary game.
“I’ve really enjoyed it [the time at City], you learn a lot as a person going to different schools and as a goalkeeper training with the best players in the world. You have to match your level to theirs.”
Meanwhile, Stanley have snapped up two Burnley teenagers for Ged Brannan’s Development Squad as they aim to break into the first team.
Left back Matty Carson and midfielder Dylan Moonan were both with the Premier League side but came on trial with the Reds in the summer and earned professional contracts.
The deals are one-year with one-year options.
Carson, 18, is from Chester and admitted this is a big opportunity for him.
“I was at Liverpool for eight years until I was 14 but it was the best time for me to move on then. I had a trials at a few clubs and then Burnley offered me a trial and, within four weeks, I had signed for the Under 14s.
“I loved my time at Burnley – I had such good experiences like tours to Iceland and Prague.
“I was offered two-year scholarship but then I knew I wasn’t getting a professional contract and came on trial at Accring
ton, which Tony Philliskirk arranged.
“I was relaxed about my future as I believe in myself although my mum and dad were worried!
“I was offered a contract here and it’s a big opportunity for me. I know Rhys Fenlon from my time at Burnley and I have watched how he has got into the first team squad and he was really good in helping me settle in.
“John Coleman has said to me if you are good enough you will get the chance so it is a big time for me. As a left back, I like to go in to win a tackle but I like to go forward as well. I am a set piece taker as well and I have scored a few goals from free kicks and a few assists from corners.”
Moonan, 18, from Wigan, had been at Burnley since he was sevenyears-old but is now ready for a new challenge.
“I was picked up from Sunday League and was at Burnley a long time, 11 years, and I was delighted to get a scholarship. I was obviously gutted I didn’t get a professional contract at Burnley but it doesn’t always work out and things happen for a reason.
“It was great as Matty and I came on trial at Accrington, we got instant exposure to the first team and when the gaffer pulled us in and said both myself and Matty had got professional contracts, we were over the moon.
“I am a box-to-box midfielder, probably more defensive minded, but I do go forward as well.
“Accrington have a good relationship with Burnley, Rhys Fenlon is here and Joel Mumbongo has come on a season long loan and it’s worked out well.
“I know if I am good enough I can progress to the first team and it’s a big chance for me to prove myself.”