Lucas Neill Scholarship success

Manly United?s 2007 Lucas Neill Scholarship Scheme winner Simon Beer has returned to the club for pre-season training after a successful three-week trip to the UK where he trained with the West Ham and Charlton Youth Academies.  

Accompanying Beer was 2006 and inaugural scholarship winner Chris Payne, who was flown over by Socceroo star Neill for his third trip in 12 months.  

Beer 16 will play under-18s for Manly United this season and be drafted into the under-20s to fast-track his development while 17-year-old Payne is gearing up for his second year of under-20s football.

Manly United head coach Phil Moss believes Payne will see some first team action this season.  

?Chris played a cup game last year and came off the bench in the semi-final against Marconi at home and I expect him to be pushing for more first team action next season,? Moss said.  

?He knows he has to work hard to get there but there is a lot to like about his game. He is still raw but will only get better with exposure to first grade.?  

On Beer, Moss said he had done himself, his family and the club proud. ?All the reports I got back on Simon were very positive,? Moss said.  

?He has a bright future ahead of him and will be a much better player for the experience he has just had.?