HEY JUDE, KIDDY’S KAI HAS AN EYE ON GLORY

THEY grew up in the same age group, played in the same position, and came through the same coaching infrastructure, yet they have embarked on very different pathways since.

Kai Lissimore may be a million miles away from matching the achievements of fellow West Midlands academy product Jude Bellingham as it stands, but the ambitious Kidderminster Harriers youngster is aiming to plug the gap and stake his claim as the next local wonderkid.

“We are of a similar age and grew up in the same area,” Lissimore said of his comparison to the £150m rated England ace. “He is a player that I watch and learn from, he is a box-to-box midfielder like myself.

“I think I can learn a lot from just watching the way he plays.”

Indeed, while Stourbridge-based Bellingham was fast-tracked through the Birmingham City youth system through to the Champions League arena with Borussia Dortmund, fellow central midfielder Lissimore, hailing from a stone’s throw away in Kidderminster, had to do things the hard way.

The 19-year-old joined the academy ranks at Wolverhampton Wanderers but wasn’t offered a professional contract, leaving him to learn his trade with the likes of Tamworth and Bromsgrove Sporting.

A move to hometown club Kidderminster Harriers followed and after working his way up through the National League North club’s senior squad, he is now beginning to make his mark.

Not only has Lissimore broken into Russ Penn’s first team at Aggborough, he has also been called up for the England Colleges National Team programme.

“I started to play regular games for the [Harriers] Under 19s and 23s which helped me get my confidence back,” Lissimore added. “Around six months after being called up to train with the first team I was offered my first professional contract and since then I have worked really hard. I have enjoyed every second.”

Awarded with his first professional contract in August 2021, Lissimore made his first start of the season against Hereford on Boxing Day having recently featured against both Manchester United and Liverpool U18’s this season.

And the top talent acknowledges that there’s nothing like the hard knocks of Non-League football – and a roaring home crowd – to help with a young player’s development.

“My understanding of the game has been most improved,” Lissimore added. “Being around experienced players and coaches has helped me a lot. With men’s football being very physical, I have had to work hard in the gym to build up my strength and allow me to compete better.

“As a youngster going into the dressing room full of experienced pros, I was apprehensive but also excited. The lads were all really supportive, and I remember going out onto the pitch to warm up and all I could hear was the fans chanting, it was a moment I will never forget.

“I just want to continue to develop as a player, try to play at the highest level possible and most importantly keep enjoying my football.”

Kiddy’s assistant manager Jimmy O’Connor has helped oversee Lissimore’s progress from a fulltime academy set-up, which is really beginning to pay dividends for the Worcestershire club.

“Any other club at this level would be happy to have the set-up we have here,” O’Connor added.

“We treat our youngsters like senior professionals, but we don’t promise them anything.”