by Johnny Moore
Four of last season’s academy players have signed one-year professional contracts at Fratton Park.
Eighteen-year-olds Perry Ryan, Ellis Martin, Pete Gregory and Billy Goddard have all been rewarded for their steady performances and progression through the youth ranks.
Ryan is a central defender, Goddard and Martin play in midfield while Gregory is a right-sided player comfortable either at the back or on the wing.
Pompey’s Head of Youth Development, Paul Smalley, stressed the importance of the club nurturing its own talent.
He said: “They have all come through the youth programme and are all living in and around the city of Portsmouth, which is refreshing.
“Obviously as the club moves forward we have to rely more on producing our own talent.
“We provide a programme from which they are able to progress and develop, whereby people can observe them and make these critical decisions.
“Most clubs look upon one or two coming through each year with regard to signing professional contracts. So we feel very fortunate that we have four potentially good players who have benefited from a club of this stature and who can hopefully continue their progress.
“These players have been here a long time and a club like Pompey has to continue to invest in the youth programme.
“In return I’m sure we will continue to provide players not just for the football industry but for the senior team here.
“I was listening to Graham Taylor recently and he was saying you’re actually not a professional player until you have had two full seasons in the senior squad.
“And whether that is the criteria or not the important thing from my point of view is to have all these four players pushing and getting into the first team regularly.
“We’ve seen some potential and given them an opportunity and hopefully with the help of other people’s observations they can see what I see.
“Hopefully they can then offer longer-term contracts where we can continue that investment and provide the opportunity for them.
“There is a need for them to quickly make that progress and demonstrate they can actually get into a senior squad.
“I hope they will get support from the more seasoned professionals which will help their education.
“When you consider what this club has been through it’s fantastic seeing players who’ve progressed being so excited at signing their first professional contract. We hope it’s the first four of many more.”