Remarkable Everton u18s team as Francis Boggan starts at just 14 years old.

Everton u18s were beaten 4-3 by Bristol City in the Premier League u18 Cup but the match was notable for the age of Everton’s players.

With the team already eliminated from the group stage of the competition and a series of injuries hampering Keith Southern’s squad, he opted to field four 15 year olds and a 14-year old in the match day squad.

Francis Boggan, who at 14 is the youngest Everton u18 player to take to the field this year, started the game and played all 90 minutes, earning praise from Keith Southern. He said: “”[Boggan] was deserving of his opportunity, so he’s a good addition and we’re happy to have him playing up with us.”

Boggan has recently been called up to England youth squads and the midfielder has already shown his versatility by playing in midfield and defence for the u18s this season.

The team also featured u16s left back Harvey Billington and Harlow McEveley, son of former Blackburn player Jay, who both started the game at the age of just 15.

Defender Rodney Aduda, who signed with Everton after a successful trial in 2024 on a two-year academy contract, made his first u18 squad in the match, while midfielder Harry Brookes was also named on the bench.

The remarkable ages of the u18s show there is plenty of talent at youth level. Players such as Jon Nsangou, who has already made his u21 debut at the age of 16, plus new centre half signings Reuben Gokah and John Dodds were all absent from the squad.

The match itself saw Bristol City take a 2-0 lead in a balanced game before one of Everton’s more senior players, Malik Olayiwola, scored to make it 2-1. Olayiwola is one of Everton’s top prospects and the attacking midfielder earned praise from Southern for his versatility and attacking prowess.

Bristol scored to go 3-1 up before substitute Ray Robert continued his superb goalscoring form with his sixth goal in ten games at u18 level to celebrate his first professional deal with the club.

Bristol Rovers added a fouth late on before winger Shea Pita scored a consolation after he was brought off the bench. After a year of injury problems the 16-year-old Welshman is starting to find form for the u18s with his first goal of the season to add to his three assists.

Southern said: “”I was pleased for many reasons,” Southern told evertonfc.com. “We’ve got a lot of lads who are out injured at this moment in time, but off the back of that we gave opportunities to Under-16s. We had four Under-16s play today and we had an Under-15 play 90 minutes, who was actually only 14 years of age, so there’s lots and lots of positives. 

“The first goal was excellent, really well-worked, I suppose. The disappointment was the manner of the goals we conceded.

“Malik’s [Olayiwola] in a really good place currently. He’s playing in a couple of different positions. He’s playing high up off the front. He scored a really good goal, and then he showed how good he can be in a deeper role, when he kind of dictated the play for large spells. I thought he was excellent today.”