QUARTET SIGN PRO CONTRACTS

We are delighted to announce four Scholarship starlets have signed professional contracts with the club!

Harry Gray, Myles Lawford, Joe Kellett and George Flanagan Jr have all put pen-to-paper on contracts that will see them feature for Leigh Beattie's Academy side from 2022. 

Gray, Lawford and Kellett have all made appearances so far this year for the Academy, with George Flanagan Jr impressing for Ryan Hunkin's Scholarship outfit. 

Head of Youth Leigh Beattie said:

“I am very excited – George has been here since he was 15 and showed some great ability and has impressed in the Scholarship side this year,” said Beattie, sponsored by Bullbuilder.

“Myles, Harry and Joe have been in the extended 17s this year and have also played 19s, Myles has been outstanding in some games and has a real bright future. Harry and Joe Kellett we are very excited about as they are two skilful back rowers who go under the radar somewhat.

“George is a half/full back with unbelievable feet, he has some real ability and has a big future ahead of him.

“The lads slotted in from playing 17s to 19s against lads who play in first teams and have done a really good job – it is about development and getting the lads playing games.

“The process now is for us to build up our Under-18s for next year and the carrot dangling I front of them is the pathway into the first team. 

“We saw with the likes of Brad Ho making his debut the pathway is there and is sometimes better than other clubs – these lads will get opportunities here.” 

Harry Gray, who is sponsored by GLLEE UK Ltd, said: 

“I am very pleased to have signed, I have been a Bradford player since I started playing and it has been an aspiration since I was younger. It has been a good journey so far and now I am ready to kick on. It has been hard because of covid and getting back into it but I have really enjoyed the year and playing academy has been a big learning curve. I want to carry on making improvements and I am still young so I have got a lot to build on. The coaches have been great really helping me, taken me under their wing if you ever need anything they’ve always been there.” 

Joe Kellett, who is sponsored by The Smith & Preston Family said:

“I am very happy, it is good to get all this way, hopefully I can keep training hard and have a run of games. It has been good to be around the older ones to get the experience of playing in the Academy this year.” 

Myles Lawford, who is sponsored by Trust Ford Bradford, said: 

“I am very happy, proud, happy to be here for another two years. It has been good to push myself and get the experience to move onto next season for hopefully more of the same. I want to put on more size and strength and improve my ability in general. I couldn’t have asked for any more help from the coaches and now I want to kick on and get some more game time under my belt.” 

George Flanagan Jr, who is sponsored by Birkenshaw Blue Dogs, said: 

"I am over the moon to have signed, club I dreamed of signing for as a kid. This year has gone pretty successful, played in a few games for the 16s and had some good results and I did alright. It is always good to score a try and nice to get a bit of recognition for it so hopefully more to come. I want to work on my defensive aspects and hopefully put some size."