Player profiles ahead of FA Youth Cup tie
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s aim to produce a performance that will live up to the academy’s philosophy of “home-grown and hungry” tomorrow night and we take a closer look at the squad below.
Wimbledon host Burnley (7.00 pm kick-off tomorrow) at the Cherry Red Records Stadium with £5 entry for all adults and £2 entry for Under-18s. The academy’s younger age group teams will all be attending and manager Mark Robinson said it would be “fantastic” to get a good crowd along to cheer on his squad.
The full Under-18s squad is listed below, but captain Dan Gallagher is ruled out through injury and Ben Harrison will be unavailable due to first-team commitments.
BILLY BISHOP
Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper, who progressed through the ranks and he has moved up to the development squad this season. A second year scholar, Billy joined Wimbledon at the age of 10 and previously played for AFC Epsom.
WILL MANNION
Will is a 16-year-old goalkeeper who joined the club this season after previously playing at Reading. Will has been a substitute for the development squad this season and he is a first-year scholar.
REECE BATCHELOR
Previously at Crawley Town, Reece is a 16-year-old full-back who has already made one appearance for the development squad as a first year scholar after joining the club last year.
DOMINIC BONGO
Centre-back who joined the club at Under-16 level. Dominic is a first year scholar who previously played for Charlton Athletic.
NESET BELLIKLI
Neset is a versatile left-sided player who joined the club at Under-13 level. The 16-year-old, a first year scholar, previously played for Epsom Eagles.
ALFIE EGAN
Alfie is a first year scholar. A 17-year-old midfielder, Alfie joined the Dons at Under-14 level after previously playing for Dulwich Hamlet.
JASON STRIPP
Jason previously had a spell at Chelsea before joining Wimbledon as an Under-16 player. The 17-year-old is a first year scholar.
SEANAN MCKILLOP
A first year scholar, Seanan is a sixteen-year-old midfielder who joined the club at Under-13 level.
LOUIE COCKLE
He originally joined Wimbledon at Under-9 level. Louie is a sixteen-year-old midfield player who is in his second spell at the club after re-signing from Fulham.
DAN ANO
Dan is a striker who joined the club at Under-12 level after being picked up from Nethern Falcons. He is a first year scholar.
REECE WILLIAMS-BOWERS
A fifteen-year-old attacking player, Reece is a pre-scholar who has moved up from the Under-16s. He joined the club at Under-9 level.
IAN SMITH
An 18-year-old defender, Ian has moved up from the college academy team this season. He joined the club at the age of 16.
CALLUM WILSON
Now part of the development squad, Callum is a 17-year-old right back. A second year scholar, Callum has been with Wimbledon since joining at Under-8 level.
RYAN SWEENEY
Ryan joined Wimbledon at Under-9 level and he is a 17-year-old centre-back who is now part of the development squad. Ryan was on the bench for the first-team at Oxford United recently.
TAYLOR ROLES
The 17-year-old centre-back has made appearances for the development squad after joining Wimbledon at Under-15 level. Taylor previously played his football at Nethern Falcons.
BEN HARRISON
Ben this season earned a professional contract after making appearances for the first-team. He joined the club at Under-9s after previously playing for Molesey.
BILLY FROST
An 18-year-old midfielder, Billy has made appearances for the development squad. He joined the club at Under-8 level.
DANNY GALLAGHER
He is a second year scholar who joined the club at Under-11 level. Danny, age 17, has moved up to the development squad this season after coming through the ranks.
OLLIE HAINES
A left-sided attacking player, second year scholar Ollie is in his second spell at the club after re-signing from Crystal Palace. He is a 17-year-old who has stepped up to make appearances at development level after originally signing for Wimbledon as an Under-8.
EGLI KAJA
A 17-year-old striker, Egli has made appearances for the development squad after joining as an Under-11. He previously played at Middlesbrough and is a second year scholar.
DAN AGYEI
Previously at Sheen Lions, Dan is a 17-year-old striker. Now a second year scholar, Dan joined Wimbledon as an Under-15.