July 1 2002

Crystal Palace

Six Palace youth team players have secured professional contracts with the club.

David Hunt, Will Antwi, Ben Surey, Robert Smith, Wayne Routledge and Gareth Williams will be competing for places on the Selhurst bench for the coming season.

Academy director Derek Broadley said: "I am delighted the club has signed these boys on pro-contracts.

"It is a great indication and recognition of the work being achieved in the academy by my staff and is the tip of the iceberg as far as the future is concerned."

Gareth Williams has impressed in the reserves by being top goal scorer last season.

Routledge has several caps for England U-17s and has made two senior first team appearances last season.

Surprisingly there is no professional contract for Garry Borrowdale, who along with Routledge, represented England U-17s in the recent European Championships in Demark.