Jay signs deal to go pro

Jay is currently a second year scholar at the Academy and will continue with his development in the under-18s before becoming a fully-fledged pro in the summer.  

Having progressed through the ranks at the Cat & Fiddle since under-9 level, Jay was something of a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad when the Grecians faced Wycombe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in September.  He made his first-team debut as he replaced Tommy Doherty midway through the second half, and in so becoming the first player to represent Exeter City under Paul Tisdale whilst still a member of the Academy.

Since then, Jay has continued to make strides with the under-18 side – helping them to sit top of the Youth Alliance South West table – as well as featuring prominently in the Grecians’ runs in the Under-21 Premier Cup run and the St Luke’s Bowl.  His first Football League start came against Southend United last month.

And now the 17-year-old has signed a deal with Exeter City, which will guarantee a pathway into the first-team ranks at the end of the season.

Jay said: “I’m over the moon – I can’t say I was expecting it yet.  I’ve been working hard and I’ve kept doing what I do, and I was expecting that at the end of the year when players normally get a decision that I might have done enough.  So it has come as a surprise and I’m really grateful for it.

“I’m grateful to everyone – to my mum and dad for running me around, to the lads I play with, and to all the coaches I’ve worked with at the Academy such as Kevin Nicholson last year and Lee Skyrme this year, who have been a massive help.  I’m just so grateful to everyone that has helped me out.”