IPSWICH TOWN: Blues fans will have a chance tonight (FRI) to see the next crop of young players being developed at the club’s academy in Playford Road.

And Town academy director Sammy Morgan says that he is proud at the progress being made by boys on the club’s books.

He is rightly proud that all seven second year scholars have been offered professional contracts.

This shows the successful work being achieved by Morgan and his team of coaches with Ronan Murray and Dave Cawley having been given contracts to June 2011 previously and Tom Eastman, Billy Clark, Luke Hyam, Jamie Griffiths and Seb Dunbar offered new deals last week.

Town take on Manchester United in an under-15 game at Portman Road tonight with a 7.30pm kick-off; with youngsters on Ipswich’s books from eight to 16 also going through their paces on the pitch prior to kick-off.

Morgan is carrying on the good work of Bryan Klug, who during his time as academy director earned a fine reputation for producing a host of good players.

“We want to keep the traditions going,” added Morgan.

“We have worked hard this season and good luck to the boys given full contracts.

“The task is now to do the same again with the next year’s intake.

“It is not an exact science, and some boys surprise you - either going one way or the other.

“The Under-15’s will relish this game, which is a throw-back to my time at Norwich City when then assistant manager Bryan Hamilton agreed to a showpiece match to show our fans what young talent we had.

“Bryan Klug was ken to carry on the tradition at Ipswich and this is the fourth time Manchester United has sent a young side to Portman Road.

“For some of the boys on show it might be the peak of their footballing time. For others they will go on and become professionals.”