Young forward Yasin Arai got his big chance in September 2020 after making the squad for our League Two match at Bradford City. He didn’t get the nod that day. But that’s not much of an issue. The fact he was on the bench shows that Arai had already caught the attention of boss Alex Revell. And that could only be a good thing for his future hopes at the club; the latest milestone on a journey with the club that started as an U11 player.

Arai’s first year as a scholar with us came during the 2019-20 campaign. It was a stand-out one for him too. The League Football Education (LFE) named him as one of the top academy players in England; the ’11’ charting the football and academic progress of all U18 players at current or former EFL clubs. After starting as a right back, Arai became a striker and earned a regular spot in the U18s –  as well as game time with the reserves.

His inclusion in the LFE’s ’11’ means he follows in fine footsteps too; the recognition was given to both Ben Wilmot and Arthur Iontton. The significance? Well, they both went onto become League Two Apprentices of the Year. The next milestone in Arai’s career with us? It’s quite possible. But we’ll let time take its course first.