Mcgrath loan tips welcome for young Radcliffe
BEN ENJOYED SHOWING HIS VERSATILITY AT MICKLEOVER
BEN Radcliffe is grateful for the guidance of former Burton Albion captain John Mcgrath after signing his first professional contract with the Brewers.
Radcliffe spent six months on loan with Mickleover in the Northern Premier League, scoring five goals while operating as a midfielder or defender.
Former Brewers midfielder Mcgrath is manager at Mickleover and Radcliffe learnt plenty.
“It was a great experience, John Mcgrath was brilliant with me,” the 18-year-old Brewers Academy graduate told ifollow Brewers.
“He took me under his wing, helping me with the attacking side of my game. Coming up through the age groups I have been more defensively minded but he put me on the right of a midfield diamond and told me to go and express myself.
“That meant I got five goals and seven assists in 23 games, so that was really helpful. All the lads there were excellent with me, they took me under their wing from day one and it was like I had been there for two or three years.
“It was good being part of a proper men’s team who were playing proper league games with the pressure that involves, as they were 21st in the table when I joined. They were in a relegation scrap but in the new year we turned it around and put in some great performances.”
Radcliffe is now looking to take the next steps on his football journey and believes he has shown he can adapt to any challenge.
“I’m a versatile player, I filled in a couple of times at centre-back (at
Mickleover), while in the first four games there I played at right-back,” he added.
“I can play holding midfield or a bit further upfield as well.
“I like to be in centre midfield because I want to get on the ball or break up the play and start an attack.
“I played five positions in total at Mickleover and it all helped, different positions and different ways of playing. It really added to my game and, hopefully, will stand me in good stead.”
Signing his first pro deal is a big moment for the youngster, who is now looking to make his mark in pre-season.
“This is the dream I have been working towards since I was seven or eight years old, so to get offered the deal is amazing,” said Radcliffe.
“I joined the Brewers at under12s, under-13s and absolutely loved it.
“Throughout the age groups, all the coaches have been brilliant. Looking ahead to pre-season, hopefully, I can hit the ground running.”
Brewers Academy manager Dan Robinson has been impressed by the way Radcliffe has handled different roles.
“Macca has had him in all of those positions, which have helped him because he’s versatile, a big strong lad and a really intelligent boy,” said Robinson.
“He scored five goals, really held his own and is really highly-regarded by the boys over there.
“Not only has he done really well with his football but, during this two-year scholarship, he’s done the highest level that you can for your
BTEC with the college, the equivalent of three A levels – then he’s done a separate A level on business at home himself.
“He’s another lad with a great attitude, always driving to be better.
“We’re hopeful that he can come back in pre-season and prove that he’s at a high enough level to give himself a real chance in the first team squad next season.
“In other circumstances, he may well already have had opportunities with us but we wanted to get him out playing on loan and he did that week in, week out with Mickleover, playing a part in keeping them up, so we’re chuffed to bits with him.”