Words: Pete Tscherewik, Image: David Airey
THE club can confirm this afternoon that Ben Layton has put pen to paper on a first-team contract with the Magpies ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Ben, 18, a tenacious and battling midfielder has risen through the youth ranks with the Magpies, and come on leaps and bounds of late.
Another member of our squad who has played a part in our title-winning success with the Steven Gerrard Academy in the 2024/25 season, Ben has been fast-tracked into the first team setup in this pre-season, notably playing against a Manchester City XI last week.
Andy Preece had the following to say regarding Ben.
"I'm really happy to have gotten this done with Ben, he's a great lad, he works hard and he is fully deserving of this.
He's only young, but, again another player who goes to show that our player pathway with the Steven Gerrard Academy continues to be fruitful.
I've given Ben opportunities in this pre-season and he's taken his chances really well, it has to be said, I'm made up for him. He now adds to Sonny (Reeves) and Noel (Brindle), who have come through our BTEC scholarship programme into the first team."
We hope you will join us in looking forward to seeing more of Ben in the famous black and white shirt!
