Owen Farmer has been recognised at the end of the 2022/23 campaign by winning two prestigious academy awards.
The attacker is the proud recipient of the Academy Player of the Season award, as his performances at under-21s level saw him become an integral member of James Collins’ starting eleven.
The 18-year-old continued his progression in the under-18s through the early stages of the season and signed his first professional contract in December, but ended the campaign by scoring goals for the under-21s and winning silverware in India.
Farmer’s superb first half hat-trick against Everton set the Old Gold on their way to three crucial points which eventually saw them confirm their place in the highest tier of youth football for a second season running.
But it’s not just his performances on the pitch that have earned recognition. Farmer is also the winner of the Bristow/Brown Award, which is presented annually to the Wolves Academy Scholar of the Season.
The award is given in memory of Mike Bristow and Keith Brown – two close friends and Wolves fans who both tragically passed away at a young age.
Each year’s winner is chosen by academy staff and goes to a player who has shown great determination to improve both their football and academic abilities.
Under-18s education manager, David Cooke, said: “Owen has excelled in his academic studies achieving D*D in his BTEC Diploma, together with a distinction in this apprenticeship standard.
“On the pitch, Owen has played consistently across the season for both our under-18s and under-21s, earning himself his first professional contract. Around the training ground, Owen is a model professional and has worked to support activities with players in schoolboy groups, together with activities in the community with the Wolves Foundation.
“Due to his inclusion in the Premier League’s Next Generation Cup tournament in India, Owen’s mother and brother accepted the award on his behalf at the last home game against Everton. However, Owen was surprised by Julen Lopetegui at the training ground before he set off for India to receive the award in person.”
Head coach Lopetegui was also on hand to present Fin Ashworth with the 2022/23 Mick Shaw award.
The award was set-up by academy tutor Hilary Shaw, in memory of her late husband, Mick, a lifelong Wolves supporter.
Ashworth is the sixth recipient of the award, which is presented to the first-year scholar who has achieved excellent academic results whilst demonstrating the exceptional football skills required to become a full-time apprentice.
Speaking on Ashworth’s award, Cooke added: “Fin consistently demonstrated an excellent attitude to learning, together with developing a mature and polite rapport with tutors.
“Together with his hard work and organisation, this resulted in him achieving excellent grades across his GCSE programme, excelling in Mathematics, History and English.”
