Eight apprentices step up to Under-18s

The summer is an exciting time for many at Argyle, with pre-season getting under way across all sides. However, for the Academy, it meant more than usual to individuals in the Under-18s.

Eight new first-year apprentices have now been welcomed to Home Park to embark on their two-year journey with the squad.

All new scholars progressed through the youth system at Argyle, through all age groups, and featured multiple times for Jamie Lowry’s side in the 2024/25 campaign.

Let’s meet the new scholars…

Seb Campbell

Seb was a key part of the Under-18s squad last year, which found success in both the Youth Alliance League South and the FA Youth Cup, reaching the quarter-finals. The midfielder’s energy and versatility were on show last season, scoring goals and providing assists in many competitions at the under-16s and -18s levels. He is a former student of Coombeshead Academy, who also played for Saints Southwest.

Billy Devlin

Billy, a former Eggbuckland Community College student, joined Argyle’s Academy setup at under-15 level, following a youth career in the Devon Junior & Minor League with Marine Academy Plymouth. The determined midfielder, like many of his first-year peers, featured heavily for the Under-18s side last season, most notably making an appearance at Villa Park in the FA Youth Cup against Aston Villa.

Sam Hayman

Central defender Sam has been a part of the Greens’ youth setup since the under-14 level. The former Plympton Academy student featured for Ocean City before Argyle but has since continued to grow at Home Park, modelling his game after his footballing idol Virgil van Dijk.

Toby Maclean

Toby is a defender who attended Devonport High School for Boys. He joined the Academy in the Under-12s, after featuring for Marjon, Bodmin and Plymouth Schools in youth football. Toby played for Argyle in the 2023 SuperCupNI, where the Greens reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Frankie Maund

Forward Frankie has found himself on the scoresheet multiple times for the Under-18s, most notably scoring the final goal against Carlisle United in the first round of the FA Youth Cup in 2024/25. He joined Argyle in the under-14 age group, alongside fellow first-year scholar Sam Hayman, following a youth career for Ocean City and Plymstock United.

Leo McCormick

Leo, son of former Pilgrim Luke, is a goalkeeper who attended Braunton Academy. Having previously played for Chivenor Soccer School in North Devon, Leo represented the Academy in the SuperCupNI in Northern Ireland in 2023, where Argyle won four out of five games on their way to the semi-final.

Joe Mwaro

Versatile defender Joe made his full debut for the Under-18s in the 2024/25 Youth Alliance League South season. The former pupil of Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot signed for the Academy at the under-11 level, previously playing for Kingsteignton Athletic, Fusion FC and Saints Southwest.

Jared Rendle

Joining the Argyle Academy at the under-9 age group, Jared is the longest-tenured first-year scholar at Home Park. The attacking player studied at Looe Community Academy and made several appearances for the Under-18s last season. Jared was also part of the Argyle squad that reached the semi-final of the SuperCupNI in 2023, alongside many of his fellow apprentices.

Welcome, and congratulations, to all!