Young Magpies offered pro deals

Youth-team players Brad McGowan and Harry Andrews have been offered professional contracts by Notts County.

Impressive performances at Under-18 level this season have lead to the teenagers being rewarded with a place in manager Shaun Derry's first-team squad ahead of next season. McGowan has captained the youth team during the current campaign and led by example with a series of assured displays in defence, including games for the club's development squad. Andrews is rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the North East Youth Alliance. "I'm delighted that both players have been offered this opportunity and hope that they take it with both hands," Derry told the club's official website. "Clearly they have been the outstanding players in their age group over the past two years but I've not only offered them this opportunity on their ability alone - I've also offered them this opportunity because of their character too. "This is the start of hopefully a long career for them both - but it's only a start." Derry added: "I'd like to thank the lads who sadly haven't been offered a contract and wish them well in their future careers. "When one door shuts, another opens and let's hope that their experience over the last two years enables them to succeed elsewhere." Second-year scholars Elliot Hodge, Kieran Geldenhuys, Tyler Guy, Jack Golding and Glodi Bange have not been offered professional deals.