DEAN KEATES is confident that members of Wrexham’s National League Under-19 Alliance Division H title winning side have the potential to graduate to the first team.

The Reds’ young guns were crowned champions on an unweighted points-per-game basis, pipping title rivals Stockport County to top-spot.

Danny Nolan’s rising stars scored an eye-catching 73 goals and conceded just 14 in their 15 outings, which brought about 12 wins and a draw.

“It’s great and another piece of positive news for the club,” said Keates. “It’s a different standard of football, but they’ve gone out and applied themselves properly and won the league.”

Several members of the youth team have been able to make an impact on the senior side with the likes of Bobby Beaumont, Mathew Jones, Jake Bickerstaff, Max Cleworth, Callum Huxley and Kyle Robinson-Murray all featuring for the Reds in the FA Trophy and Scottish Challenge Cup.

“When players from the youth team have played for the first team in the Scottish Challenge Cup and FA Trophy they’ve done well,” continued Keates.

“One or two of them will have chances when we are able to return to football.”

Beaumont was delighted to hear the news that he and his team-mates had done enough to be crowned champions, although the defender is facing an uncertain future.

Bobby, son of former Wrexham first team player Nigel, tweeted: National U19s Youth Alliance Champions. Big thanks to the coaches and staff for helping us achieve this goal.

“Although my scholarship has come to an end, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club. Looking forward to getting back to my footy wherever it may be.”

Beaumont’s time with Wrexham may not yet be over, but with the coronavirus pandemic still causing uncertainty throughout football, it’s a case of ‘wait and see’.

“As with the first team lads, the current situation is impacting on the youth team, and everyone else at the club,” said Keates.

“We are waiting on decisions to be made at the top and then there are a lot of decisions to be made underneath that, and one of those is to do with the young players at the club.”