LIAM Henderson is one of three Academy scholars to have been handed his first pro deal by the club after impressing during a season of improvement.

Henderson joins fellow second year graduates Dale Bennett and Lewis Young in signing professional terms with the club.

The 18-year old striker has appeared for the under 18's side where he notched up an impressive 10 goals in 22 starting appearances. He carried this terrific form on to the reserve side when called upon, scoring five goals in 13 appearances.

Henderson was also an unused substitute in the Carling Cup defeat against Southend at Roots Hall.

The Gateshead born front man has penned a deal that will keep him at the Vic until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

A cheerful Henderson said: "I've done well. I broke into the reserves early on in my first year. Now I'm coming towards the end of the season and since I've got my pro contract I'm finishing the season on a high at the moment."

The Watford youngster scored his fourth goal for the reserve side last Monday night against Leyton Orient at Boreham Wood FC.

He added: "Since I got the decision, it seems like I'm playing without pressure really. And obviously I've got a few lucky breaks like I did against Orient in the reserves last week. You may see it as a lucky goal in some sense but you've got to be in the right place to score them."

Henderson speaks of his earlier introduction into the game, he said: "I started when I was younger, going to watch my brother play Sunday League. He had friends that were the same age as me, we used to just kick a ball about on the side of the pitch and when I was old enough to play for the team I joined up straight away."

The youngster then made the big step up from local football to club football level.

"I got picked up by Hartlepool when I was playing for my local team at Under 12s. I was there for eight months but I quit because I was getting played at centre half.

"I went back to my local town team then I had the option of going on trial at quite a few clubs. I went on trial at West Ham then they offered me a two year scholarship and Watford offered me a two year deal as well. I then had a decision to make. I decided that going to Watford was in my best interests."

"The manager Aidy Boothroyd showed an interest. He showed he wanted me and left messages on my house phone saying that he wanted me at the club."

After securing himself a two year scholarship with the club, the young striker moved away from his family home to pursue his professional dream.

He said: "I thought it was going to be really hard at first, moving away from home and not really knowing anyone. I just got my head down and thought, this is what I've got to do, I've got to make sacrifices and get the rewards."

The talented striker also had a spell on loan at non-league Wealdstone with team-mate Bennett earlier this campaign. Playing against men in a physical league where points were the name of the game was a change from Academy football.

"It was a great experience" added Henderson. "Obviously reserve football is about development and not really about points. But I went out to Wealdstone and points mattered.  Wealdstone were struggling at the time. I just went in and the experience of playing against men, stronger men and where points mattered was great."

The loan system is used on a regular basis by the coaching staff at the club, allowing up and coming youngsters to gain some valuable experience. Many players have benefited from this system, most notably 19-year-old John-Joe O'Toole who now represents Ireland under 21s on a regular basis as well as turning out for the 'Orns week in week out.

Henderson said: "You've just got to look at him as an example. The same happened to Theo Robinson, except he hasn't broken through here yet but he's at Hereford and he's scored goals there. It's still league football so hopefully I can get my chance next year."

Looking ahead to next season, Henderson outlines his targets. He commented: "I want to have a strong pre-season and hopefully get noticed by the manager and he can decide what he wants to do with me. I basically want to improve and push on and hopefully get my next contract."

Congratulations to Liam and everyone who has assisted in his development at the club.