Retford FC have confirmed that Tom Mitchell and Harvey Wood will both make the permanent step up to the First Team squad next season, as manager Chris Woodhead continues to reward the club’s thriving youth pathway.
The pair were standout performers in last season’s Under‑21s championship‑winning side, showing maturity, consistency, and leadership well beyond their years. With both nearing the end of their Under 21’s eligibility, the club has moved quickly to ensure their development continues at senior level.
Mitchell and Wood are no strangers to the First Team environment, having featured intermittently over the past couple of seasons. Opportunities have been limited, but both players have impressed when called upon and will now be pushing to establish themselves as regulars in the new campaign.
Their progression follows the successful pathway taken last season by Krysztof Jarosz and Jacob Priestnall, who stepped up from the Under‑21s and became key figures in the senior squad. The club sees Mitchell and Wood as the next natural graduates of that system.
Manager Chris Woodhead said the decision was an important one for the club’s long‑term identity:
“After the success of the Under‑21s last season, we wanted to make sure we kept hold of the key players, we wanted to make sure we kept them on board and continue to develop them as future first team players.”
He added that the players will be in good hands as they transition fully into senior football:
“Martin (Woodhead) knows them well and will be supporting them with the First Team where they are fully expected to become key members of the squad. Both are strong and mature for their age and I can see them being part of the fabric of the club moving into the future and I can assure supporters with the current crop of Under 21s they certainly won’t be the last that will make the grade. We have some exciting talent in that side and when the time is ready we will be looking to promote from within.”
With two more home‑grown talents stepping up, Retford FC’s commitment to developing and promoting young players remains at the heart of the club’s identity — and Mitchell and Wood now have the opportunity to write the next chapter.