NEW KID ON THE BLOCK!
YOUNG STAR READY TO FOLLOW IN McCALLUM’S FOOTSTEPS WITH STEP UP TO CITY’S UNDER-23s
NEVER a club to stand still, Coventry City have a pathway plan for every young player to progress to the first team.
Not all make it, of course, but those that are good enough get the chance to shine early with the Sky Blues who have built a reputation for developing young prospects in recent years.
As well as the hugely successful Academy system, the club have recruited wisely to top up their homegrown talent with several development players from up and down the country.
Sam McCallum is the latest success story from the Under-23s. Plucked from non-league obscurity with Herne Bay via the V9 Academy trials, the 19-year-old has been fast-tracked to the first team where he’s now arguably the club’s most saleable asset, watched by a host of higher-placed clubs including the likes of Leeds United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
The teenager’s promotion to the senior ranks has left an opening in the 23s. Step up Joe Newton, an exciting young left-back whom the club snapped up from Royston Town in September.
He started his career in the youth set up at St Albans City before moving to Colney Heath and then linking up with Royston last season.
In January of 2019 Newton’s performances were recognised by England Colleges when he represented the Under-18s, starting against Australia, and now he’s looking to follow in young McCallum’s footsteps.
But it’s never an easy journey for young players to bridge the gap between development football and the senior ranks, and even harder for those stepping up from a part-time to full-time programme.
“It’s been difficult for him,” said development coach Luke Tisdale, of the 18-year-old defender who played in last week’s Birmingham Senior
Cup defeat at Nuneaton Borough.
“It was the same with Sam (McCallum) when he first came in because when they come from being a parttime player to full-time football there’s so much change with every day training, the gym and double sessions.
“Their bodies get beaten up a little bit and Joe has got to learn to play a different way to when he was at Royston.”
As for his strengths, Tisdale said: “He’s a talented footballer and you can certainly see why.
“He defends the back post really well. He’s tenacious, doesn’t pull out of tackles and you can see he’s played men’s football.
“There are areas of his game that need tidying up and we are constantly working towards those through his learning plans, and just starting to tick it off slowing.
“But he’s been brilliant and a good addition to the group because obviously we have lost Sam to the first team now.”
Luke Tisdale
He’s been brilliant and a good addition to the group because obviously we have lost Sam to the first team now.