Defender Danny Penswick and midfielder Reece Kelly have become the first players to sign up to Steve Bleasdale's plan of developing a base of young academy players who will find themselves on the fringes of the Leigh Genesis first team for the current season, and developing in to regular first teamers thereafter.

Eighteen year old Penswick joins the club after his release from Championship outfit Blackpool, where he has been a regular in their reserve side in recent seasons, playing alongside ex-Leigh RMI defender Matt Lawlor.

Midfielder Kelly, meanwhile, has signed for Leigh Genesis after a season on the fringe of Rochdale's first team, finding himself assigned with a squad number at Spotland but falling just short of making any League Two appearances.

Leigh Genesis are delighted to have these two players on board at the club and hope that they will become the model for many of their future signings.

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