Premier League Learning News
High hopes for Derby trio
Derby County’s youngsters are excelling on and off the field at Pride Park – with three Academy graduates being given the chance to sign professional contracts.
Bright futures are being predicted for Miles Addison, Jason Beardsley and Mitchell Hanson – all of whom have already been associated with the first team at this early stage of their careers.
Central defender Miles arrived on the scene when injuries and suspensions enabled him to make his senior debut towards the end of last season against Hull City in the Championship – and his performance was good enough to see him keep his place the following week.
Jason, a right back, impressed when given the chance during pre-season ahead of the Premier League campaign. He travelled with the senior squad to the training camp in Italy and appeared 
against FC Chiasso, before going on to impress in a 3-0 win at Burton Albion.
There followed a place in the side in front of 25,000 fans for the Brian Clough Trophy match against local rivals Nottingham Forest, while he made his official first team debut against Blackpool in the Carling Cup.
Derby-born Mitchell, another defender and an England Under 18 international, was given a brief taste of life with the first team as an unused substitute at Reading in April 2006.
Bill Morley, the Rams’ Education and Welfare Officer, says that all three have excelled academically. “Jason’s work at Derby County and at Loughborough College enabled him to achieve a full framework on the Apprenticeship of Sporting Excellence programme, including gaining a double distinction on his BTEC National Certificate in Sport, in addition to gaining his level 2,1st 4 Sport FA Football Coaching certificate and his level 3 NVQ in Football.
“Miles and Mitchell have joined Jason as new professionals on two-year contracts. Both finished their scholarships with full framework success in their ASE programme, achieving BTEC National Certificate in Sport, level 2 1st 4 Sport FA Coaching Certificate and the level 3 NVQ in Football.”