Young player continues on upward curving path...
Second year scholar, Ben Wilmot has been recognised as 1 of 11 young footballers across the country for their on & off the pitch excellence throughout the month of October.
League Football Education (LFE) monitors and celebrates the football and academic progress of U18 players on apprenticeships at EFL clubs - and is also designed to assess other factors including involvement in community or charity based initiatives.
This accolade celebrates the holistic development of young players, a barometer which is also applied to the LFE Apprentice of the Year Awards presented at The EFL Awards dinner in April.
Ben's recognition comes after completing his NVQ Level 3 Diploma earlier than expected and he is also on track to achieve top grades in his BTEC Level 3 In Sport (Performance and Excellence).
On the pitch, his performances with the U18s have continued to impress which resulted in a First Team debut v MK Dons in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Wilmot was the stand-out player for Stevenage as he partnered Luke Wilkinson in the heart of defence and helped keep a hard-earned clean sheet.
England Under-20 World Cup winners Ademola Lookman, Dael Fry, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lewis Cook have all previously been named in ‘The 11’.
Everton forward Lookman and AFC Bournemouth midfielder Cook also went on to become Apprentice of the Year winners. Others to previously feature in this select group include Ryan Sessegnon, Conor Chaplin and James Justin.
The 11 - October 2017:
- Niall Watson (Accrington Stanley)
- Max Bird (Derby County)
- Jordan Stevens (Forest Green Rovers)
- Steven Sessegnon (Fulham)
- Connor Simpson (Hartlepool United)
- Jamie Shackleton (Leeds United)
- Jack James (Luton Town)
- Lewis Freestone (Peterborough United)
- Lewis Fensome (Preston North End)
- Ben Wilmot (Stevenage)
- Mitch Candlin (Walsall)