By Joe Sharples
May 28 2002

Wolves have had many good youngsters come through the ranks in recent years. This story will give you even more reason to put faith in our youth... This will cheer you all up!!

Wolves U-19 took part Grubbenvorst International Tournament and finished runners up in the tournament. What’s so good about that I hear you cry?

Well, to cut a long story short, Wolves along with eleven other teams took part in this tournament. Having already beaten Holland’s S.V Venray 6-0, Germany’s F.C Berlin 2-0, Austria’s F.C Kelagkernten 1-0, Holland’s NEC 1-0 and Helmon Sport 2-0, the youth team lined up against Belgium’s F.C Ghent for the showdown of the tournament.

After playing 90 minutes it was 0-0 and went to a penalty shoot-out where Wolves went on to lose 4-3. Harsh justice for a side that had scored twelve times in five games without conceding a single goal.

What’s more was the outstanding contribution of one of Wolves’ most promising youngsters, Sammy Clingan, who was voted player of the tournament by all eleven of the coaches.

Under 19 coach John Perkins praised the 18 year old saying Sammy was outstanding throughout the tournament, as every other coach recognised,” he continued, “His contribution was excellent and I do believe the club has in Sammy, a player of great ability and first team potential.”

On the squads progress through the tournament John said “We were by far the best team in the tournament, as our results and goal tally proved. The attitude and mannerisms of the players both on and off the pitch were magnificent.”

“They are a credit to the club and our professionalism and performance was rewarded by the fact that we were offered a written invitation to attend next year's tournament within an hour of the end of the event.”

So our youngsters did us proud and showed that the future is looking good. Young Sammy already made an appearance on the subs bench for Wolves towards the end of last season and is defiantly one to watch for the coming seasons.