Tamplin success story for Luton Town and Cedars Upper School Elite Football Development Programme

Youth team manager Paul Driver was unable to offer Tamplin a scholarship contract at the end of last season, but joined the Cedars Programme, where he could undertake his A-levels while still being monitored by the club, at the suggestion of U16 coach Joe Deeney.

At the end of August a change in playing personnel left Driver a centre-back short going into the start of the season and, after Tamplin was drafted in and shone in a number of friendlies and the first league match, he was offered a full-time pro scholarship at the club.

LTFC Cedars Head Coach Stuart Smith said: “We cannot pretend that we have identified Harry and brought him into the club or made a significant impact on his career as he was with us such a short time.

“However, what we can say is that Harry’s move back into the club proves the immense value of the Cedars and the Baldock U18 Elite Programmes the club is running.

“The Cedars Programme has provided an invaluable safety net where a very good footballer has not been able to drift away from Luton Town and another club benefit from all the hard work that Joe and Luton Town have put into Harry.

“It also shows that very good players believe the quality of coaching provided at Cedars will give them a chance of getting back into the Luton Town Pro Scholarship Programme at a later date, whilst still studying for their A-levels.

“We also have Benji Crilley going back into the club on a day-release basis, where he trains with Paul one day a week and plays when selected in his league and FA Youth Cup games, in which he scored against Rothwell.

“We wish Harry every success with his scholarship and have our fingers crossed that he will become the first Cedars graduate to earn a full-time professional contract.”