by Luke Cawdell

Eight academy players have been offered scholarships in Gillingham’s youth team.

Defender Josh Hare (Rainham) and midfielder Dylan Ford (Gillingham) are from the Medway Towns and they’ll be looking to earn themselves a professional contract upon completion of their two-year course.

Gillingham's Centre of Excellence manager Bryan Bull said: "The players concerned have worked hard for their reward and I hope they will continue to progress when they turn full-time next season."

Joining Ford and Hare in Mark Patterson’s youth team for next season will be goalkeeper Ashley Bourne from Broadstairs, defender Jack Parter, midfielders Bradley Dack (Dartford) and Jake MacKenzie (Whitstable) and forwards George Humber (Bexley) and Nathan Nyafli (Maidstone).