Sky Blues midfielder sets out his hopes for the new season after signing his first professional deal
Coventry City midfielder Jack Finch said sealing his first professional deal with the Sky Blues was a great way to thank his parents.
The 17-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year professional deal with the club after graduating from the Academy and he said it was a huge relief to know he now has a base to keep developing and hopefully push for a first team debut.
Finch was an ever present in the Under 21's side during the 2013/14 season and also earned a first team squad number towards the end of the campaign and he said being given the chance to stay at the club where he started his career as a nine-year-old was a great feeling.
He said: "It means so much more to me having been here from the start. My parents were in the room when I was given the news that I would be given a new contract so it was a great way to thank them for the way they've brought me up."
The midfielder will now live the life of a full-time footballer, spending his time around the development squad and the first team at the Sky Blues' Ryton training ground, something he says excites him.
"I've spent some time around the Lodge and it's been better for me because I've been able to watch the first team train but I've also been able to get in involved," he said.
"It's given me better opportunities because the manager watches training alot and I think I've done well which has stood me in good stead.
"The apprenticeship looks at everything, especially education as well as your development as a footballer, but now I can concentrate on football and that's what I'm looking forward to the most."
"It's been a great incentive for me to see players getting their chance like George Thomas and Ryan Haynes because it means there will also be a chance for me if I work hard.
"I want to stick to the summer programme I've been given, make sure I get a good pre-season and make sure I stay around it all. I want to be involved in the pre-season games like I was last season as well because it's important that I get myself off to a good start."
Finch added that manager Steven Pressley's approach to the club's youngsters was a huge help in making the transition from the Academy to full-time football.
"The manager is the same with you no matter what game he is watching. He's no softer when it comes to an Under 18s or Under 21s game than he is with a first team game and that helps.
"You know what to expect when you come into training with the first team. His standards are always the same but he also helps you and gives you alot of tips which is helping me grow as a player.
"I just need to now make sure I catch his eye now that I'm around the first team more often and set making my debut as a target."