Franks called up by England as Smallwood stands by
By Shaun • Nov 6th, 2008 • Category: Reserves & AcademyMiddlesbrough academy product Jonathan Franks has been included in the England U19 squad to play a friendly with Germany at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday November 18, fellow academy graduate Richard Smallwood is on standby.
Franks has been on good form for Boro's reserves this season and continues to be included in England squads as he pushes his way towards the Middlesbrough first team.
Sadly goalkeeper Jason Steele will miss out as he has been sidelined for three months with a broken thumb.
Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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I like your one’s to watch ‘ feature and was wondering about Richard Smallwood. He seem to progress quickly last year and was captain of under 18’s (in his first year?) and promoted to the reserves a few times. Also got a 3 year contract when most get 2. So must be highly thought of. How is he doing this year? Playing centre Mid, he can’t be that far off getting on the bench can he???
Thank you Sam, I will hopefully be getting more “One to Watch” articles done in the near future.
I have seen Smallwood a few times this season for the reserves and though he has a lot of potential i would say he is still a good distance from the first team squad. He is just finding his feet at reserve level and has a lot of physical and technical developing to do but he is a good prospect.
I would recommend getting along to a reserve game or two if you are local, it’s only a couple of quid in and you can see all of the young players first hand.
I live in Manchester so can’t get to any games really. So I tend to try and read everything I can find on the players coming through as I’ve always keen on following their progress as much as I can..
I’ve not read much about Jorden Robinson though, until I came on here. At first I thought he was the one that went to Tranmere on loan. But that was John Johnson, who I also haven’t heard much on before in the past.
Both don’t seem to have turned out for the reserves much or have been mentioned on the main site. So was suprised when Johnson made his debut off the bench for us..
We had a few players in the England under 16 too, so I’ll be looking forward to reading more about those when they step up next season..
Keep up the good work…
I think Jordan has had a few injuries plus he is still young. John Johnson has had a bit of a tough time at Tranmere by all accounts.
All things being well with work and my flat move, i’m hoping to be at the FA Youth Cup game against Forest so look out for a report on the site.