After taking a look at Ivor Lawton yesterday, we take a look at Jack Finch with his Academy profile...
Coventry City will be welcoming Academy products Ivor Lawton, Jack Finch and Ryan Haynes into the full first-team set-up next season after they signed their first professional deals with the club.
The three players featured regularly at Under-21s level last season and have impressed manager Steven Pressley enough to keep them at the club next season.
If you don't know much about the three youngsters, don't worry because we've got it covered!
The Coventry City award-winning match-day programme PUSB profiled every Academy player during the 2013/14 season with a series of introductory questions and we've made the profiles available at www.ccfc.co.uk. Today, it's the turn of Jack Finch.
Jack Finch's Academy Profile
Name: Jack Finch
Age: 18
Position: Centre-back/midfield
Where are you from?
Fenny Compton
When did you first join the Coventry City Academy and how did it come about?
It was about halfway through under-nines when I was scouted playing right-back my Sunday league team Fenny Compton Colts against Southam United.
What’s the best part about being in the Academy?
Playing football every day, coming in and being around the lads when we all share the same interests, we are all on the same level and we all get on outside of football too.
What is it like training with the first team?
Yes, it’s really good with the change in tempo and getting to know the pros, watching them play and seeing what they are all about.
They give you advice. For example, Jordan Clarke has helped me with my positioning when I have played alongside him, giving me tips.
Who was your footballing hero growing up?
It was Frank Lampard when I was growing up because I am a Chelsea fan and because he scored all the goals.
But since playing at centre-back I have looked up to John Terry more, he has a good attitude and his leadership qualities are something I would like to add to my game.
Do you model yourself on anyone now?
Not really, but I do look at players and think about what I would like to take from their game and add to mine.
I look at people like Rio Ferdinand, with his all-round game and Terry’s leadership and willingness to put his body on the line.
What is your biggest strength on the pitch?
I’ve got a good engine and I can keep going. When I was playing in central midfield that was one of my big strengths.
I came to the academy as a right-back, then to centre-back then into midfield at under-12s and it was at the start of this season that I have moved back to centre-back.
People have always told me I would end up at centre-back but it is only this season I have been there and I think I am adapting well.
What do you need to work on?
I need to continue to adapt to centre-back. I need to improve my heading and my position and my defensive play in general.
What is your ambition for this season?
I have just started full training after coming back from an ankle injury so my first ambition is to get back to full fitness, to be training regularly with the under-18s and to push on to the under-21s.
What are your interests outside football?
Socialising. I like to go bowling. I like to spend time with my family too as I am in digs at the moment.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise your team-mates?
When I was younger I used to do gymnastics. I did floor, bar and beam and then went on to do trampolining for about two years back when I was 10.