Nine apprentices step up to Under-18s.
The summer is an exciting time for many at Argyle, as pre-season begins on all sides. However, for the Academy, it meant more than usual to members of the Under-18s. Nine new first-year apprentices have been welcomed at Home Park to begin their two-year journey with the squad.
Eight of the new scholars progressed through Argyle’s youth system, across all age groups, and appeared multiple times for Jamie Lowry’s team in the 2024/25 season. Let’s introduce the new scholars.
Seb was a key member of the Under-18s squad last year, which won the Youth Alliance League South and the FA Youth Cup, reaching the quarter-finals. Last season, the midfielder demonstrated his energy and versatility by scoring goals and assisting in a variety of under-16 and under-18 competitions. He previously attended Coombeshead Academy and played for Saints Southwest.
Billy Devlin
Billy, a former Eggbuckland Community College student, joined Argyle’s Academy at the under-15 level after playing in the Devon Junior & Minor League for Marine Academy Plymouth. The determined midfielder, like many of his first-year teammates, played extensively for the Under-18s last season, most notably at Villa Park in the FA Youth Cup against Aston Villa.
Sam Hayman
Sam, a central defender, has been with the Greens’ youth team since he was under 14. The former Plympton Academy student played for Ocean City before joining Argyle, but he has since improved at Home Park, drawing inspiration from his football idol, Virgil van Dijk.
Toby, a defender, attended Devonport High School for Boys. He played youth football for Marjon, Bodmin, and Plymouth Schools before joining the Academy’s Under-12s. Toby played for Argyle in the 2023 SuperCupNI, which saw the Greens advance to the semi-finals.
Frankie Maund
Forward Frankie has scored several goals for the Under-18s, most notably the winner against Carlisle United in the first round of the FA Youth Cup in 2024/25. He joined Argyle in the under-14s alongside fellow first-year scholar Sam Hayman, having previously played for Ocean City and Plymstock United.
Leo McCormick
Leo, the son of former Pilgrim Luke, is a custodian who attended the Braunton Academy. Leo previously played for Chivenor Soccer School in North Devon and represented the Academy in the SuperCupNI in Northern Ireland in 2023, where Argyle won four of five games to advance to the semi-finals.
Joe Mwaro
Joe, a versatile defender, made his full Under-18s debut during the 2024/25 Youth Alliance League South season. The former Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot student joined the Academy at the under-11 level after previously playing for Kingsteignton Athletic, Fusion FC, and Saints Southwest.
Jared Rendle
Jared is the longest-tenured first-year scholar at Home Park, having started at the Argyle Academy when he was under nine.
The attacking player attended Looe Community Academy and made several Under-18 appearances last season. Jared was also a member of the Argyle squad that advanced to the SuperCupNI semifinals in 2023, along with many of his fellow apprentices.
Tashal Sandhu
Tashall, an exciting forward, joins Argyle after several years at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Category One academy. Sandhu was offered a contract by the Pilgrims following a successful trial period this summer, and he arrived in time to be a part of Jamie Lowry’s preseason plans.
Welcome, and congratulations, to all!
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