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NINE youngsters have been offered two-year apprenticeships with Argyle.

Jack Calver, Cory Harvey, Owen Jones, Liam Knowles, Jake Miller, Billy Palfrey, Jamil Roberts, Benjamin Steer and Jason Vincent have been given 28 days to consider their offer and, should they agree, they will begin their apprenticeship at the end of June.

Academy Manager Kevin Hodges said: "These decisions are not made lightly and I have spoken with our development phase coaches, as well as our first-team manager and his coaching staff, prior to ultimately having to make any final decisions.

"We would encourage them all to continue to focus on their final months in school and their exams, as well as their football. Congratulations to them all – they have all worked very hard to get to this stage of their development as young footballers.

"Sadly, we have informed eight players they are not being offered an apprenticeship. Many of these boys have been with us since the age of nine and, along with their families, have made a huge commitment to the club. I am sure, at this moment, they are extremely disappointed.

"They do have the option to remain with the club to continue training and playing with us until the end of this season. They may take up the option of the Community Education Programme which runs alongside our LFE Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme. They are also able to attend national exit trials where scouts from other Academies can offer trials with other professional clubs.

"Some of them will remain in education  and some may opt for a different vocational apprenticeship. We, as a club, have a moral obligation to monitor these players’ exit routes and their progression. I have to say, on the whole, many of the parents said some very complimentary things about our Academy and their son’s experiences at Plymouth Argyle, despite being given this news.

"I do hope the boys themselves will agree that they have above all enjoyed their football education with us; that they have matured, both on and off the pitch; and they leave us as well-rounded individuals capable of achieving great things in the future. We sincerely wish them every success."