Several scholars are currently out on work experience terms alongside another three of the young Dons first team players, who have also gained senior loan exposure.
YOUNG DONS OUT ON LOAN
Phoenix Scholtz (RB/RWB) – Following his MK Dons debut earlier in the season, young defender Phoenix Scholtz went out on loan to both Kettering Town, and more recently, Kempston Rovers to experience a consecutive run of first team football.
Scholtz saw an eventful start to his time at Kempston Rovers, a tactical challenge resulted in him being sent off in the 90th minute of his first sighting before scoring a late winner in his second appearance for the Club.
Phoenix has signed loan terms with Kempston Rovers until the end of the season.
Callum Tripp (CM) – This season, 17-year-old Callum Tripp has made both his senior professional league debut and FA Cup debut with MK Dons.
March 15, Callum signed loan terms with National League South side St Albans City. Since joining, the midfielder has made an appearance in a Hertfordshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final victory and awaits his league bow.
Tripp, alongside St Albans, look to position themselves in the play-offs with the hope that they can gain promotion into the National League.
Charlie Waller (CB) – After Charlie’s Dons debut, which saw him claim Player of the Match against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy, the defender captured a loan move to Banbury United.
Following his signature, Waller was ever-present in the Banbury back-line which saw him gain a further two Player of the Match performances before an unfortunate injury curtailed his loan experience and sees him side-lined for the remainder of the season.
Joel Anker (AM) – Only days ago Joel Anker put pen to paper and signed a loan deal with Hitchin Town until the end of the season. After signing terms, Joel was implemented straight into the starting XI for the Southern League Premier Division Central fixture against AFC Telford United.
Anker will aim to be a mainstay within Hitchin’s team as the young forward looks for a consecutive run of minutes to build upon his senior Dons debut made earlier in the campaign during the EFL Trophy.
SECOND-YEAR SCHOLARS WORK EXPERIENCE ACTION
Seb Stacey (GK) – Stacey, a second-year shot-stopper, joined AFC Dunstable and has featured for the team since February amounting a number of 16 appearances so far.
In his most-recent sighting, Stacey saved a penalty which ultimately helped his side to claim all three points in their push to finish the season in a play-off placement.
Seb has also had previous spells with both St. Ives and Biggleswade Town.
Charlie Stirland (CB) – Second-year scholar Charlie Stirland started his work experience terms at Newport Pagnell, where a consistent run of strong performances granted Charlie the opportunity to compete in a higher division.
Charlie also made his senior Dons Debut under the lights of Stadium MK when the defender faced Northampton Town in an EFL Trophy Group Stage victory.
Stirland then joined Isthmian League South Central side AFC Dunstable alongside his Dons Academy teammate Seb Stacey. The young centre-half has won a Player of the Match award during the semi-final of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup in one of 18 appearances made thus far.
Kyle Boyce (LB/LWB) – Kyle Boyce has made eight appearances for his work experience team, Cambridge City.
Boyce extended his stay with City until the end of the season but has unfortunately faced an injury which has prohibited the player from continuing his impact within the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, but he looks to make his return soon.
The young defender has also contributed towards a place in the Cup Final of the Cambridgeshire Invitational Cup.
Ed Daffern (CM/AM) – Playing in the middle of the field, Ed Daffern has featured in every available game for his loan Club, Kempston Rovers.
Within his 19 sightings, Daffern has contributed both goals and assists. Most recently, the midfielder fired home the second goal in a 2-0 victory over Leighton Town.
The second-year scholar supports the Rovers as they look to survive their relegation threat for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Josh Adepoju (CF) – Forward threat Adepoju has impressed during his time Kempston Rovers, which saw his work experience terms extended until the end of the current campaign.
Adepoju’s versatility has been utilised by the Southern League Division One Central side, which has seen Josh pose a threat as both a centre forward and a winger.
The young forward has made multiple strong impacts off the bench and started the most-recent fixture in a 1-0 victory over Kidlington. Josh has seen 12 appearances for the Rovers.
Albert Wood (RB/RWB) – Albert started his work experience loan at Kempston Rovers, but many impressive performances saw Wood make the jump up to the National League North as he brandished the badge of Banbury United.
Much like his fellow Scholars Charlie Stirland, Chase Medwynter, Joshua Clark-Anderson and Keon Lewis-Burgess, Albert Wood made his first senior MK Dons appearance at Stadium MK against Northampton Town earlier in the current campaign.
Following the conclusion of his spell at Banbury, the Academy defender returned to Kempston Rovers where he aims to survive their relegation threat alongside fellow young Dons Ed Daffern and Josh Adepoju.
On the above loan experiences for the Club’s second-year scholars, Academy Manager Ben Smith said “As part of the Clubs accelerated pathway, our second year Academy scholars have been out on work experience loans to gain valuable senior experiences within football.
“These players will spend the week within our full-time training programme and playing their loan club mid-week and weekends. This exposure allows a higher volume of competitive games, competing for three points or progressing through cup games on a regular basis.
“Players, with the support of staff, have to plan their weeks and build an understanding of how they manage this transition from youth development to senior games at step 4 in non-league up to Step 1 at National league level.
“As a club, we look to ensure players are exposed to various challenges such as playing or a team that is battling to avoid relegation, a team that is pushing for promotion, dealing with adversity of not playing, building performances from the bench and learning how to communicate in a different environment.”
