Fletcher's on Target

Alex has been named as one of 11 apprentices at EFL clubs throughout the country who have excelled, on and off the pitch in the second half of the current season.

The recognition comes from League Football Education, a partnership set up by the EFL and the Professional Footballers’ Association to manage the AASE Apprenticeship programme at EFL clubs.

‘The LFE 11’ acknowledges the football and academic progress of Under-18 players on apprenticeships at clubs, as well as taking into account factors such as involvement in community or charity-based initiatives.

On the pitch, 17-year-old Alex – who has scored 18 goals from 27 starts for the Pilgrims’ youth and development sides this season – recently made his first-team debut as a substitute in the FA Cup second-round tie at home to Newport County.

“I’ve really enjoyed the experience,” he said. 

“Any experience is a good experience at this age, whether it’s the ten minutes I got or whether it is a start, it is all good to play with the first team on the pitch in front of the fans.

“It’s just been nice to be involved. Things have happened very quickly. A couple of months ago, I don’t think I would have dreamt of making my debut, but now it’s happened.”

Off the pitch, the second-year apprentice has been plugging away with his studies at Ivybridge Community College.

He said: “The apprentices are at college one morning a week and one whole day. I’m doing a BTEC Level Three diploma in Sporting Excellence; I’m about two-thirds of the way through – I’ve just got a few more units to finish off before the end of my two years.

“We have six-weekly review with our LFE education officer - he comes down and lets us know how we have been doing - so obviously he has been keeping tabs on us, on and off the pitch.

“It’s probably on the pitch that has caught his eye a bit in the last few weeks.”