7:00am Thursday 8th May 2008
By Neil Perrett
KEVIN Bond has emphasised his commitment to youth by promoting rising stars Joe Partington, Ryan Pryce and Josh McQuoid to the first-team ranks.
The trio have all been offered their first professional contracts after impressing boss Bond and his coaching staff during their apprenticeships.
Their elevation represents a major success for Joe Roach's youth department, which has now yielded no fewer than four graduates from the 2006 intake.
Partington, Pryce and McQuoid, who all made their full debuts this season, join fellow recruit Sam Vokes who also finishes his education at Brockenhurst College in the summer.
Bond told the Daily Echo: "Joe sees these players every day so I have gone along with his recommendations. Eddie Howe and Rob Newman have also been involved in the decision-making process and I am happy to back their judgement.
"All three of them are being offered contracts due to their undoubted potential. They know they have still got lots to do but they have all made sufficient progress to warrant a further opportunity to carve out a career. If they keep showing the attitude they have displayed as apprentices then they have all got a decent chance."
Salisbury-based Pryce, 18, was blooded when Cherries were in the middle of a goalkeeping crisis in January, while Portsmouth-born Partington came off the bench to grab a dramatic late equaliser during Cherries' memorable 2-1 victory at Swansea last month. McQuoid, who hails from Lymington, made his full debut against Tranmere on Easter Monday after a succession of substitute appearances.
Bond added: "Ryan has done extremely well after coming in at a very diffiuclt time.
"He held his nerve incredibly well for someone so young and I could not have been more pleased with him. He's improved a great deal and I hope he continues to do so.
"Joe has trained with us for the past few months and has flourished. He's become more relaxed in the first-team atmosphere and has looked comfortable among them. He's a nice size and shape and we're hoping for some significant progress from him next season.
"Josh is one of those unpredictable and pacey forwards who has shown he can do things other players can't. As Max Gradel showed for us this season, you need people who can do something a little bit different. Josh's development and improvement has warranted being given further time to show he can make the grade."
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