Stoke City are providing a clear pathway for their academy graduates by arranging vital loan moves for two of their most promising young defenders, Christy Grogan and Jake Griffin.
Both players will gain experience in senior football as part of the club’s strategic development plan.
Grogan Steps Up with Wythenshawe Town
19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international Christy Grogan has joined Wythenshawe Town on loan, where he will get his first taste of senior-level football. The centre-back, who has excelled at youth level, is set to make his debut tonight in a Northern Premier League fixture against Stafford Rangers.
Stoke City are replicating the approach that saw defender Connor Taylor rise through the ranks. Taylor successfully climbed the footballing ladder, moving from local non-league sides to Bristol Rovers after proving himself in senior competitions.
Meanwhile, highly-regarded defender Jake Griffin has secured a one-month loan move to Brackley Town in the National League North. Griffin will benefit from a series of competitive matches during a typically quiet period for Stoke’s under-21 side.
Shawcross Highlights Importance of Loan Pathway
Under-21s manager Ryan Shawcross, who has been instrumental in shaping Stoke’s loan strategy, explained the importance of young players gaining real-world experience outside of academy football.
“We’ve got a game on Wednesday and then nearly a month with no game, so we can send a player to Conference North and he gets three or four games over a period when he would have got none. Then in January, he’s a better project for a team in the Conference. You’re asking lads to go out on loan to a lower league team in their first loan, do well, and then the next level will watch them.”
Shawcross also reflected on the personal growth players experience during these loan spells, particularly when surrounded by the pressures of senior-level football.
“You might not see a massive change in their technical or tactical stuff when players come back from a loan, but you’ll see a change in their person. They are playing alongside men who have mortgages to pay or topping up their salary, and they come back as different people.”
Both Grogan and Griffin are expected to use these opportunities to showcase their talent and readiness for the next step in their careers.
Writer’s View
Stoke City’s structured approach to academy development under Ryan Shawcross is proving to be a reliable method of preparing young players for senior football. By exposing Grogan and Griffin to competitive, men’s football, the club is not only improving their skills but also their mentality. If these players follow the trajectory of Connor Taylor, Stoke could soon have another batch of stars ready to contribute at the highest level.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
