Youth top scorer Calver wants more first team action as friendlies announced

Last updated : 08 May 2009 By Shrimpers24

18 year-old Calver has been handed a year's development contract at the club after impressing in both the youth and reserves. The striker, who joined the Blues from Ipswich Town, scored 23 goals in all competitions and is eager to progress to first team contention.

Speaking to the official site Craig said: "It was lovely to be involved in Spencer Prior's game. I didn't realise I was going to be playing until the morning of the match but it was a great experience for me to be out there with the first team players — and hopefully that's something I can achieve again."

He will be looking to play well in a number of friendlies palnned from July and follow in the foot-steps of Johnny Herd and Stuart O'Keefe who made it into the first-team last season after also emerging through the youth system.

"They've both done superbly and of course it would be nice to do as well as they have. This pre-season is going to be massive for me so after a couple of weeks break which you obviously need I'm going to be working really hard. I want to be as fit as I can and be nice and ready for when we begin our pre-season training."

Craig, who was part of the Youth Alliance championship side, continued: There are quite a few strikers here but I have confidence in my ability and my target for next year is to try and get a few appearances off the bench in the first team. The season just gone couldn't have gone any better for me really."

As was already announced Ricky Duncan's Under-18 champions will be involved in a two-day, four team tournament against Arsenal, Everton and Fulham over the weekend of July 25-26.

The club have yet to give ticket details for the event.

Now further friendlies have been added and more dates could be added.

Confirmed schedule:

July 25 & 26 - Mini Tournament.
August 1 - Harlow Town (a) - 14.00.
August 8 - Crystal Palace (a) - 11.00.
August 11 - West Bromwich Albion (a) - 14.00.