Alex Denny 43

Alex Denny joined Everton as a nine-year-old from Manchester City's youth set-up and would go on to represent England at youth level while also forming part of the Blues’ Dallas Cup-winning squad of 2016.  In October 2016,  he was highlighted by The Guardian as one of the best Next Generation talents at Everton. 

Having established himself in Everton's Under-18s squad, he was one of a handful of youngsters selected for the Europa League dead rubber against Apollon Limassol in December 2017 and, along with the likes of Fraser Hornby and Anthony Gordon, made his first-team bow as a substitute in the 3-0 victory in Cyprus.

This presaged his graduation to the Under-23s, initially as a substitute in Premier League 2 while playing in the Premier League International Cup games. He was selected as a starter for all of the last six games of the season 2017-18 season and was rewarded with his first professional contract in July 2018, a two-year deal.

But the talented midfielder saw his efforts frustrated by a foot injury, which he suffered on the eve of the young Blues’ opening-day Premier League 2 clash at Chelsea. The injury stopped him from playing any part in the first half-season Premier League 2 games and kept Denny out until the new year.

The 19-year-old was restricted to a series of substitute appearances as he continued his battle back to optimum fitness.   He played his way back into favour in the 2019 New Year, albeit those sub appearances helped both league and cup efforts in the famous double title win secured by the U23s under David Unsworth.

“Last season was tough to get through, it was my first proper injury, but I want to come back stronger and make sure it’s a good year for me,” Denny told evertontv.

“As a player, I like to get on the ball, pass it, but also I like a tackle, and helping to drive the team on.

“It will be competitive [the battle for a place in the starting XI] but as long as I can show that fight and desire, then I’m sure I can get a spot.

“After I got injured last year, it was tough dropping out of the England squad, too. But now I want to kick on and break back into that team.” 

Alex Denny would be involved in a good number of games at Under-23 level during the truncated 2019-20 season but would only complete 4 full games in that entire time. At just 20 years old, he left the club in June 2020 when his contract ran down, subsequently joining Salford City.

Denny made his league debut for Salford in October 2020 and appeared 13 times in total, spending the second half of the season on loan at Morecambe. he made 6 appearances as the Shrimps won promotion to League One via the play-offs.