Hard working second-year scholar Roarie Deacon proved himself as Mr Reliable last season, after featuring on more occasions than anybody else for the Under 18′s and netting a respectable 8 times.

After coming through Hale End as a winger, Steve Bould deployed Deacon down the middle for the majority of the campaign. He seemed to thrive in the role. He was thrown into the frey in the first game of the season against Everton, and then bagged his first Academy goal during the 3-2 defeat against Reading.

It was the start of a mini purple patch as both Roarie and Luke Freeman scored in fixtures at Chelsea and West Ham. It was the highlight of the season despite featuring on the bench in the early rounds of the F.A Youth Cup. He tailed away towards the end of the year as the rigours of Academy football took their toll on his slender physique, but Neil Banfield did give him a little taste of Reserves football – something he’ll hope for more of next term.

Name: Roarie Deacon
Nickname: None
Age: 17
Nationality: English
International: No
Position: Striker/Winger
Height: 170cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract : Scholarship