Goalkeeper Stan Amos is the latest Wolves Academy youngster to have been rewarded with his first professional contract.
The 18-year-old has penned a deal with the Old Gold having been at the club since the age of 14.
After signing a scholarship in the summer of 2022, Amos continued his development by gaining his first taste of men’s football during a loan spell with Wolverhampton Casuals last season.
And the stopper flourished and featured regularly during his time with the non-league outfit, appearing in the Emirates FA Cup last August and saving four penalties in the quarter-final shootout of the JW Hunt Cup earlier this year.
Now, Amos has proven to the staff at Compton that he is worthy of a professional contract and academy manager for football Jon Hunter-Barrett has praised the attitude and application of the youngster.
“Stan came in through our local recruitment department and has done well,” Hunter-Barrett said. “He’s been a steady performer for us throughout the age categories. He comes from a really good family with strong values and that’s demonstrated with how he behaves and interacts around the building.
“He’s got a strong, keen work ethic to improve and train properly. I don’t ever see Stan not doing things properly because that’s the type of person he is. Stan doesn’t shy away from challenges that we put in front of him and that will help dictate his career moving forwards.”
Head of academy goalkeeping Scott Bevan has also spoken highly of Amos and his character, explaining how the willingness to test himself on loan in men’s football last season shows a lot about the player and his desire to gain different experiences.
“Stan’s biggest strength is his reliability with his goalkeeping - he’s very steady, reliable and consistent. He’s transferred that into games and off the pitch he does things right. He’s very professional with how he approaches it and that’s massive for us as a goalkeeping department. We want people in the club who are energy driven and he always brings that every session.
“He wants to maximise how far he can go in the game so he’s willing to try things that are being taught to him and he’s not fearful of making mistakes.
“For him to go out as a second-year scholar last season and play 40 games for Wolverhampton Casuals was great. They absolutely loved him and from a social aspect, he was fantastic in the changing room, wasn’t overawed or intimidated at all. The lads bought into him and then he produced on the pitch as well.”
And although the success of the loan came after some initial nerves, Bevan says that Amos threw himself into the challenge and is once again set to experience a season in men’s football during the 2024/25 campaign.
“When myself and Jon Flatt sat down with him and said that this was going to be his pathway, he was a little bit nervous and sceptical,” Bevan continued. “The pathway is different for everyone and especially for goalkeepers because, at some point, they’re going to have to go and experience men’s football. It’s so valuable for them and Stan got it a little bit earlier than most.
“Stan bought into it and gave it everything which was fantastic for him. His levels in terms of goalkeeping and just him as a character rose tenfold, so he’s really progressed and we’re really pleased with how he’s doing. It’s testament to him that he’s now earned his first professional contract and we’re really happy with what he brings to the group.
“Similar to last season, I think his journey will involve playing a lot of men’s football and building his CV. He’s been out on trial this pre-season with a view to going out on loan which will be a step up for him. It will be a test, but one he’s really looking forward to embracing.”
