The Posh FA Youth Cup semi-finalists of 1997-98 and how they did at first-team level

Posh co-owner Darragh MacAnthony believes his club is blessed with a ‘golden generation’ of young players for the first cime since the class of 1997-98 that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup for the first and only time in the club’s history.
By Alan Swann
Published 18th Apr 2021, 11:00 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2021, 11:20 BST
Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington.Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington.
Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington.

Posh beat Doncaster, Bury, Wycombe, Southampton and Crewe on the way to the last four where they lost over two legs (2-0) to Blackburn Rovers..

Many players from that season were awarded professional contracts headed by Matthew Etherington and Simon Davies who went on to enjoy Premier League careers.

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Davies also went on to play regularly for the Welsh senior side.

Matthew Gill in action for Posh.Matthew Gill in action for Posh.
Matthew Gill in action for Posh.

Here’s what happened to that ‘golden generation.’

James Campbell

Lanky centre-back who never started a Posh game.

Dan Connor

Tony Shields in action for Posh.Tony Shields in action for Posh.
Tony Shields in action for Posh.

Irish goalkeeper who made 11 Posh appearances. Now head of goalkeeping at Forest Green.

Simon Davies

Midfielder who played 75 times for Posh, scoring six goals. Also played for Spurs, Everton and Fulham while winning 58 caps for Wales. Now Posh Under 18s assistant manager.

Matthew Etherington.

Made his Posh debut aged 15 and went on to play 58 times, scoring six goals. Joined Spurs, then West Ham and Stoke. Now Posh under 18s manager.

Daniel French

A winger who played 22 times for Posh, scoring once.

Matthew Gill

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A midfielder who made 173 Posh appearances spread over two spells, scoring five goals. Also played for Notts County, Exeter, Norwich, Bristol Rovers, Walsall and Tranmere, making close to 500 appearances in total. Now a first-team coach at Ipswich Town.

Grant Haley

Right-back who was man-of-the-match on his senior Posh debut and never played again.

Matthew Hann

Forward who made five senior Posh appearances (one start).

Warren Kenna

Centre-back and younger brother of Ireland and Blackburn star Jeff Kenna who never started a senior Posh match.

Anders Koogi

Danish midfielder who made two first team sub appearances.

Tony Shields

A combative midfielder or forward who made 140 Posh appearances, scoring five goals.

Related topics:Darragh MacAnthony