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Lewis Banks

Potteries-born, Lewis captained his home club's under-21s and under-23s and was named under-23 player-of-the-year at the age of 21, Stoke's Academy coach marking the presentation by telling him: "You lead by example, and it is clear other players look up to you."

After a season at Stafford Rangers, he embarked on a highly-successful spell with Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division, where his 100-plus appearances included a wealth of European experience and a player-of-the-year award in his first season at the club in 2019..

His travels took him to Arbroath, between Dundee and Aberdeen on the east coast of Scotland, in January, but he readily admitted he was glad to be closer to home after linking up with the Robins in the summer of 2023.