Looking back, perhaps the writing was on the wall for this sudden glut of talented youngsters sprouting through when Cardiff City under-18s won the Professional Development League South back in 2019.
That crop went on to beat the feted Leeds United academy side in the semi-final of the national competition, but ultimately lost narrowly to Sheffield Wednesday in the final.
Nevertheless, that feat by such a talented group was a pre-cursor for things to come.
Cardiff came out on top of the southern division, pipping Ipswich Town under-18s by one point to top the ladder in a dramatic climax to that 2018/19 campaign.
Here are the players who played a part in that magnificent campaign and where they are now...
Jordan Duffey – appearances: 4
Was the back-up goalkeeper that season, conceding nine goals in his four matches. Currently plays down in Cornwall in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division West with Dobwalls FC, following stints with Bodmin Town and St Blazey after his Bluebirds release in 2019.
George Ratcliffe – appearances: 26
The nailed-on first choice for City that year and continues to be for the under-23s. Is the Wales under-21s goalkeeper and the senior side's third-choice stopper behind Alex Smithies and Dillon Phillips. A really talented shot stopper.
Jac Davies – appearances: 19
The full-back was at Cardiff from the age of eight but left in the summer of 2020. He signed for Cymru Premier side Cardiff Met. He still plays there and often advances into a winger role for them.
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Connor Davies – appearances: 20
Another full-back who featured heavily throughout the campaign. Had a loan with Weston-super-Mare but was ultimately released in the summer of 2020. Joined Cymru Premier side Penybont FC before moving to Merthyr Town ahead of this season.
Ryan Kavanagh – appearances: 17
A central midfielder who is still with the club. The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with Cardiff City in the summer and is a player who is quietly improving every time you see him.
Ben Margetson – appearances: 21
A centre back whose father is former Manchester City and Bluebirds goalkeeper Martyn Margetson. Margetson was released by Cardiff and linked up with his dad down at Swansea City. He is currently in their under-23s setup.
Taylor Jones – appearances: 7
Another who signed his first professional deal with Cardiff City this summer. The centre back, who can also play on the right, has captained Wales at youth level.
Trystan Jones – appearances: 17
A defender who could be deployed anywhere across the backline. Jones left Cardiff in 2020 before joining Haverfordwest County in the Cymru Premier. This season, though, he signed for Carmarthen Town in the JD Cymru South.
Joel Bagan – appearances: 22
A name which will be familiar to many. It was this season which really drew coach's eyes to the left back. Neil Warnock was a big fan of his and so, too, was his successor Neil Harris. Has been a regular in first-team squads but has just fallen back a bit in recent months. The club have high hopes for him, though.
Keenan Patten – appearances: 19
Another player supporters will recognise. The central midfielder signed a contract extension until 2022 and it looked as though he would get his first-team debut under Mick McCarthy, who named him on the bench against Fulham this season. He is still awaiting his senior bow, though.
Ntazana Mayembe – appearances: 18
Mayembe was one of the most exciting talents in the academy at this stage. He has just fallen away a little owing to a lack of form and frustrating injuries, though. Has had less of a pronounced role over the last year or so, but remains with the club. Still only 18, has time.
Isaak Davies – appearances: 16
A player who has become one of the most exciting in Cardiff's squad in recent months. McCarthy liked him and Steve Morison loves him. Many hope he will blossom into a top player for the Bluebirds. The 20-year-old winger is an exciting talent who has seven Championship appearances to his name this season.
Sam Bowen – appearances: 28
Captained the side a lot during this league-winning season, chipping in with five goals. Many wondered whether a first-team breakthrough would come but he really impressed McCarthy in pre-season and got his shot. Impressed fans, too, in his five senior outings, before a foot injury which he is yet to overcome.
Dan Griffiths – appearances: 24
Was an absolute superstar in this season. Comfortably Cardiff's top scorer, Griffiths smashed in a whopping 18 goals for the young Bluebirds on the way to the title. It was hoped he would kick on and force his way into the senior fray. Went on loan to Penybont after this season and scored six goals for the Cymru Premier side, but was unfortunately released in the summer. He signed for Chippenham Town this summer and has scored twice in 13 games for the National League South outfit.
Cian Ashford – appearances: 1
Made just one substitute appearance for the under-18s that season, he would only have been 15 at the time, and scored! Is now recognised as one of the best youngsters at the club. The 17-year-old forward is a name to listen out for.
Eli King – appearances: 9
The central midfielder has improved with each passing season at Cardiff. So much so that Mick McCarthy's final act as Bluebirds boss was to hand him his first-team debut against Middlesbrough. The 18-year-old regularly features for the under-23s now.
Rudy Andrew-Knott – appearances: 4
The forward joined from Southampton's academy that season but spent the solitary campaign in the Welsh capital. Went off to Eastleigh before landing at Gosport Borough in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Jack Masrani – appearances: 2
The centre back was released by the club this summer and remains unattached.
Owen Pritchard – appearances: 2
A defender who has become a regular for Cardiff City's youth sides in recent years. The 18-year-old right back has gained admirers from frequent academy watchers this calendar year.
Frazer Thomas – appearances: 1
The central midfielder made just a solitary appearance during this campaign. Was moved on in the summer and was snapped up by Southern League Premier Division South side Merthyr Town.
Will Warnock – appearances: 1
A familiar last name! The son of former Bluebirds boss Neil, of course. Left Cardiff after his father did, the defender now plays for Bodmin Town FC down in Cornwall.
Kieron Evans – appearances: 19
The young winger played an important role in the campaign, chipping in with nine vital goals throughout the season. Always looked like he had the talent, but has now been given the opportunity to show it. The 20-year-old has five senior appearances to his name this term.
Sion Spence – appearances: 19
Scored 10 goals in 15 games during this season. Emerged as a vitally important player after winning academy player of the year the season before. Went out on loan to Barry Town United the following season and many thought he would kick on to the first team. But the club knew they had a certain Rubin Colwill coming through and chose to keep him on instead of Spence. Spence was picked up by Premier League side Crystal Palace, from whom he is on loan at Bristol Rovers in League Two. He has three goals in 11 outings for the Gas.
Sam Parsons – appearances: 18
The left back was released by the Bluebirds a year after winning the under-18s league. After a few months out of the game, he was picked up by JD Cymru South side Llanelli Town.
Rubin Colwill – appearances: 17
The player who has arguably come the furthest since this season. Managed just the one solitary goal and often had to make an impact from the bench. But when McCarthy came to the club he recognised his talent and promoted him into the senior setup. Has become a vital player for City and a fully-fledged Wales international to boot.
Siyabonga Ligendza – appearances: 12
Another talented striker who was playing for the under-18s two years early. Managed just the one goal but is now an important part of the academy setup.
Harry Pinchard – appearances: 17
The midfielder was another important cog in the wheel during the season. He was released by Cardiff in the summer of 2020 and went to have trials at a number of clubs, including Manchester City. However, ahead of this season he signed for Hereford FC in the National League North.
*NB. Warren Burwood came in for one appearance during the semi-final with Leeds United after a late injury to George Ratcliffe in goal. Burwood now plays for Lowestoft in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
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