Former Blackpool Apprentice, Billy McKenna has endorsed LFE’s Progression programme after the Assessment Trials helped him to enjoy a new start in the game at Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League.
The 18 year old striker, who was released by the Tangerines at the end of his Apprenticeship, made the move to Heart of Midlothian in the summer after impressing Scout John Murray at LFE’s end of season Assessment Trials in Bradford.
A successful trial spell followed during pre-season before Billy penned a one year deal with the Jambo’s but McKenna was quick to praise the role that LFE had in bringing him to the attention of Hearts.
“I’m really happy to have signed a professional contract with Hearts, because they’re such a high-profile club, but it has to be said that LFE have played a significant part in that happening.”
“I know it’s a really big step up for me to make from being an Apprentice at Blackpool in the Championship, to trying to become a first team player at Hearts in the SPL, but I know that my Apprenticeship through LFE has given me the skills I need to succeed.”
“I improved my game technically and tactically in my two years at Bloomfield Road and I gained an NVQ a BTEC qualification and my Level 2 Coaching certificate in to the bargain and the icing on the cake was being picked up via LFE’s Assessment Trials in the summer.”