By Football Wonderkids Speaking to Harry Hudson

28th Oct, 2022 | 5:38pm

Youth football expert holds high hopes for Finley Fletcher at Grimsby Town

We’re delighted to welcome the founder of Kinetic Academy Harry Hudson as our exclusive columnist. Each week the youth football expert will be giving his views on the biggest talking points on wonderkids across the UK…

Youth football expert, Harry Hudson, has seen plenty of talented youngsters over the years and backs Finley Fletcher to join some of them.

The teenage midfield maestro signed for League Two outfit Grimsby Town on 13 October becoming the 64th player to graduate from Hudson’s own Kinetic Academy to a contract in professional football.

The Mariners have adapted back to the Football League very well since their National League victory in 2020-21 with manager Paul Hurst at the helm.

Fletcher won’t go straight into Hurst’s senior team having now penned his deal at Blundell Park but that is the goal for Hudson and Grimsby themselves for his future.

“He’s a really, really accomplished technical player, central midfield player,” Hudson told The Football Wonderkids. “I think he’s got a really bright future.

“He’s developed a lot physically even in the short time he’s been with us and I’m sure he’ll do more of that at Grimsby and now it’s just about him hopefully having the pathway through to the first team.

“Like anything, though, it’s going to be a real change of scenery for him, new location, new area. But he is a really grounded and mature young man for his age so we’re really hopeful with him.”

Grimsby next play in League Two on Saturday (29 October) away at Hartlepool United and while Fletcher is unlikely to be involved in the squad, he could easily find himself useful if he continues his rapid development.

In other Kinetic Academy news, Hudson was full of praise for Scottish Premiership giants Rangers after they funded a crucial tour north of the border.