Hard work paying off for Shaymen defender Debrah
IN MANY ways, Jesse Debrah encapsulates why FC Halifax Town are in the thick of the National League promotion race.
His outstanding performances of late highlight the level of quality in the Halifax squad, especially for a player who has made just a dozen league starts.
And Debrah’s attitude of putting the team before the individual emphasises why Pete Wild and Chris Millington place so much importance of signing the person as well as the player, and shows the spirit of togetherness that has been such a driving force for Town this term.
Debrah made a sensational debut when he scored a stunning long-range goal in Town’s 3-2 win at Woking in August.
When asked how he feels he has progressed since then, the centre-back said: “Not so many more left-foot shots!
“I feel like I’m just getting better, I’ve really progressed since then.
“We’ve done a lot of training work on me, a lot of extras, with
Sarg (Joe Sargison, first-team coach), Milly, trying to get me playing more, believing in myself stepping out with the ball, moving my feet defensively, just getting better in every single aspect because I know I’m not the finished product and I’ve got a lot to learn and get better at.
“I feel like this season I’ve enjoyed it and just got better.
“Sarg and Milly will sit me down, watch clips with me and say what I could have done better. They’re there when I want to call them up, and talk to them about something, they’ll usually pick up, which I’m really happy and blessed to have coaches like that.”
Debrah says the player development is such a central focus for The Shaymen is an extension of the team spirit that has been fostered at the club.
“I know this is a cliche but I’m close with everyone in the team,” he said. “I think if you lined everyone up and asked them ‘do you like Jesse?’, I think 100 per cent of them would say ‘yeah, we always talk’, you know.
“They’re honestly the best changing room I’ve been a part of.”