Twelve years of hard work pays off for Stott

Athletic defender Jamie Stott

Talented young defender Jamie Stott admitted he was 'buzzing' after penning a two-year contract extension at Athletic yesterday.

The 20-year-old - who has been with the club since being snapped up at the age of eight - signed a deal which will keep him at the club until 2020.

It's been a traumatic week at Boundary Park following relegation into League Two last weekend after 21 years in the third tier, but Stott's signing is clearly a positive move for all concerned.

Speaking about the deal, Stott said: “I’m pleased. I was out of contract so I am buzzing to be offered a new two year deal and I couldn’t be more happy.

“I have been here for 12 years now. I signed for the club with I was eight years old and it’s been a long 12 years but to finally make it and progress into the first team is a dream come true.

“It’s a shame the club have been relegated into League Two but for us young players, it is a chance to show everyone what we can do and hopefully we can get the club back where it belongs and back up the league.”

Stott excelled during a loan spell with National League North side Stockport County at the back end of last season, and he reckons that was a huge learning curve in his development as a player.

“I was playing in front of big crowds that relate to League One and League Two as well,” he added.

“It set me up in good stead and if I come back this season and play then it will not faze me."

Fellow youth scholars George Edmundson and Tom Hamer also made their breakthrough into the first team during the 2017/18 season, and Stott has been impressed with both.

He said: “Me and George played together in the youth team and I’ve played with him for a while, and I’ve played with Tom in the youth team last year when he played up.

“They have both done exceptionally well.

"George can do it anyway, but for Tom to step up from the youth team to do it, he has done really well.”

After signing his deal, defender Stott is already looking forward to the new season to kick off.

“I’m going on holiday for a week and then I’ll get back and start working hard in preparation for pre-season and beyond," he said.