One of our own Jake Richards has been nominated for the EFL League One Apprentice of the Season award at the EFL Awards.

It has been quite the season for 17-year-old Jake, who has made 18 first team appearances so far this season - 11 in EFL Sky Bet League One. Jake has played 588 league minutes and hit the milestone of scoring his first League goal in City's 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day. Jake also scored a stunning free-kick from distance against Spurs U21s in the Vertu Motors Trophy earlier in the season.

Jake made his full City EFL debut as a 16-year-old on a scorching day at SJP against Leyton Orient, he became the next ‘off the production line’ for the Exeter City Academy that has produced an international captain, and England semi-final goal-scorer, and many more Premier and Football League players. That day he assisted Demetri Mitchell's stunning goal.

Richards’ journey to elite football hasn’t followed the usual pathway of a Grecians academy player though, with his development not utilising the non-league loan system but instead being nurtured entirely in-house at the Cliff Hill Training Ground throughout the age groups. 

A player within the under-16s, Richards first came onto the radar of Gary Caldwell during the club’s pre-season friendly at Mousehole in July 2023. “He was the best player on the pitch,” Caldwell said after the match. 

That match seems so long ago now for someone so early in their career. Jake is up against Kofi Shaw of Bristol Rovers and Luca Whitney of Shrewsbury Town.

Speaking about Jake's nomination, Manager Gary Caldwell said: "Jake is one of our best every young Academy players since he made his debut as a 16-year-old. He is one of the highest 17-year-old appearance makers in the EFL this season which shows how much potential he has and how much we value him.

"Jake is not only a brilliant player, but a brilliant person who has a fantastic family and his mum and dad behind him and we are really proud to call him 'one of our own'."

The winner of the award will be announced live at the League’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday, 27 April, which is also being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8:30pm.