DALE JENNINGS’ impressive development as a first-team player with Tranmere this season has earned the teenager recognition from the Football League.

The 18-year-old front man is shortlisted as Football Manager Apprentice of the Year in League One.

Liverpool born Jennings is in good company. Southampton’s £10 million rated Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and George Baldock from MK Dons are also nominated in the Football League Awards 2011.

Jennings earned his first team chance in September.

He has since made 23 appearances, scoring five goals, including match winning strikes against Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle along with spectacular efforts against MK Dons and Southampton.

The exciting quality of Jennings’ performances brought scouts from more than a dozen Premier League and Championship clubs to Prenton Park to check his potential.

Tranmere manager Les Parry said: “Dale thoroughly deserves this nomination. He has had an excellent start to life in the first team and has coped well with the pressures involved.

“He’s a rounded, confident young man who has huge potential and is a pleasure to work with.”

Tranmere Head of Youth Shaun Garnett added: “I’m delighted that Dale has been shortlisted for this award. He’s shown remarkable maturity in his performances for the first team this season and as his youth coach I’m very proud of him.

“What supporters perhaps don’t realise, is that while Dale has been training and playing with the first team, he’s continued his college education with the rest of the youth scholars where his work has been of a high standard.”

Tranmere continue to hold their place among the Football League’s top clubs when it comes to providing a friendly and enjoyable match day experience for families at Prenton Park.

Rovers collected the Football League Family Friendly Award for the fourth time yesterday, becoming one of only 13 clubs to have secured the award each year since its inception in 2007.