A Woodham Academy student is following in the footsteps of former pupils by signing for the North-East’s most successful club of our generation.
Woodham has a rich tradition of producing footballers of the highest quality. Previous successes include Jason Steele, Ross Turnbull, Lewis Wing, Christ Mason and Darren Craddock, all playing professionally over the last 16 years.
Tyler Smith is the next player aspiring to emulate this group, having recently signed a two-year contract with Middlesbrough Football Club, where he’ll attend fulltime when leaving school at the end of this year.
Boro is, of course, the last North-East club to have won silverware in the last 50 years.
Tyler is a fast, dynamic player, who is very good technically and can play in a range of positions, including his favoured position of left back.
He has represented the U16 and U18’s this year and produced some fantastic displays, most recently at Derby County where he scored in a Middlesbrough win.
Not only is Tyler a talented footballer, but he is also a hardworking conscientious student, who applies himself to the best of his ability and displays Woodham Academy core values in abundance.
Woodham now has strong, consistent teams in Year 7, 8 and 9 with students in Year 10 and 11 also playing regularly for clubs, academies and RTCs (Regional Talent Clubs).
Two students to watch for the future are Safi Sevim in Year 10, who is a fast, agile and clinical striker, who is currently playing for Sunderland Academy and Layken Hardy in Year 9, who is a strong, commanding goalkeeper, who currently plays for Durham WFC, as well as being selected for the Durham County U14s team.