Class of 2008: Where are they now?

The Class of 2015 are two steps away from emulating the achievements of the side who won the competition courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in 2008.

As we build-up to Wednesday night’s semi-final first leg against Leicester at the Academy Stadium, let’s travel around the world to discover what happened to the Class of 2008…

Now based in the US, Greg Hartley spent time as a goalkeeper coach at the Atalanta Fire youth academy.

He majored in Information Technology at Georgia Gwinett College and he now plays for Chattanooga FC in the National Premier Soccer League alongside fellow City Academy graduate goalkeeper Tom Halsall.

The only member of the 2008 FA Youth Cup winning side still on the playing staff at City, Dedryck has made three appearances for the first-team this season.

Boyata made his first team bow against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in January 2010, helping his side to a 1–0 win and he has since played 28 times either side of loans at Bolton and FC Twente.

The 24-year old signed a new deal in May.

One of two defenders in the squad now lining up regularly for Sean Dyche’s Burnley side in the Premier League.

Mee left City to join the Clarets on a permanent basis in 2012 and signed a new three-year contract at Turf Moor at the start of this season.

Ben has played 23 times for Burnley in the Premier League this season and has scored twice.

Photo: Vladamir Weiss, Ben Mee and David Ball

An ever-present member of a Burnley side valiantly fighting against the drop in the Premier League this season, Trippier has been one of the most impressive performers for Dyche.

As demonstrated in their surprise 2-2 draw at the Etihad over Christmas, Trippier is one of the most dangerous full-backs in the Premier League when it comes to supplying balls into the box from wide areas.

The full-back was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for two successive years in 2013 and 2014.

Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern joined Hibernian on a permanent basis after a successful season-long loan in 2012/13.

After a season in SPL, Ryan joined League One Port Vale in June 2014 and he has made 17 league appearances so far this campaign.

He has won 23 international caps to date.

Following loan spells at Rochdale, Crewe and Yeovil, Andrew Tutte joined the Dale at the end of the 2010/11 season.

Tutte spent three years at Spotland, appearing on more than 100 occasions in all competitions before switching to Bury in 2014.

Since arriving at Gigg Lane, the now-24-year old has played 45 times.

Jet-setting Vladamir Weiss has enjoyed a successful start to his career since leaving City in 2012.

The Slovakian international has plied his trade in five different countries and represented his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Now at Lekhwiya Sports Club, Weiss won the Qatari Stars League with his latest employers in 2013/14.

Denton-born midfielder Scott Kay may not have played a first-team game for City but he has carved out a living in the game, featuring for a number of outfits in the north of England over the past seven years.

Kay has played for Macclesfield, Huddersfield and most recently, Southport.

Daniel Sturridge

Although Daniel was injured for the second leg of the Youth Cup final, he’d already made his presence felt in the tie, scoring in the first leg at Stamford Bridge against one of his future employers.

Sturridge was the first player to ever score in the FA Youth Cup and the Premier League in the same campaign. He went on to be named City’s Young Player of the Season the following year.

Since leaving City, Sturridge played more than 60 games for Chelsea before joining Liverpool in 2013.

The rest, as they say, is history - Daniel is now one of Europe’s most potent strikers. He’s scored 39 goals in 62 games for the Merseysiders and has notched five times for his country.

Photo: Daniel Sturridge

Striker David Ball left City in 2011 after being a regular name on the scoresheet for the Club at youth level.

Ball has been contracted to Fleetwood Town since 2012 where he has played 85 league games, scoring 19 goals.

Before that, he spent a season at Peterborough, finding the back of the net nine teams in the league.

Another Slovakian international, Robert Mak brought a six-year association with City to an end in 2010 when he joined 2.Bundesliga outfit, FC Nuremberg.

The winger was a big hit in Germany, spending four years at the Stadion Nurnberg before PAOK came calling for his services last year.

He signed a three-year deal with the Greek Super League side and so far he has a prolific record of seven goals in 15 league games.

Photo: Robbie Mak

Irish forward Donal McDermott is another player who has embarked on an interesting journey since leaving the club which brought him through.

Donal played for Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Dundalk and Salford City before joining Ramsbottom earlier this year.

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City u18s v Leicester u18s: FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg ticket information.