Robinson: Why Kuba and Ben made this year’s cut
RADCLIFFE, NIEMCZYK ARE OFFERED BREWERS DEALS
BEN Radcliffe and Jakub Niemczyk were the two names which stood out among Burton Albion young guns when the club’s retained list was published – the two teenagers have both been offered their first professional deals by the club.
It will be euphoric news for them and there is also good news for Daniel Moore and Thierry Latty-fairweather, who have both been offered – and accepted – contract extensions as they bid to build their careers.
The end of the season can be a difficult time for established first team players no longer wanted by professional clubs but often less obvious, unless you are directly involved, is what happens with young players.
They could be offered their first or they could find that years of working their way through age groups has led only to their release, leaving them wondering if the game has a future for them.
The Brewers’ Academy manager, Dan Robinson, has to break the news, good or bad, to them all and he has been explaining why Niemczykj and Radcliffe have got the nod this time around.
The two 18-year-olds will join Charlie Williams, from the same age group, in the first team picture for next season, Williams having been offered his deal back in October.
“Ben and Kuba (as Niemczyk is popularly known) have been offered contracts for next season with an option for another, which is our standard offer these days,” said Robinson.
Niemczyk is recovering from a double leg fracture suffered on loan with Belper Town but, if any good news can come from such a blow, it is that how he has dealt with it has helped the club feel sure about his future potential.
“Kuba had a terrible injury a year and a half ago when he did his ACL,” said Robinson.
“He got back from that, was match-fit at Christmas and we got him a fantastic opportunity with Belper Town, who have been great for him.
“But then he got the double leg break, a horrific injury, so he’s had it tough.
“He had made his debut for the first team under Jake Buxton against Peterborough United away (in the Papa John’s Trophy) and I’m pretty sure he’s the youngest player to have played for the first team, at 16 – certainly in my time.
“We always knew he had the potential. He’s had these setbacks but there had been enough shown, to myself and to the manager, that he was more than capable not only in terms of his football ability but mentally, to deal with those setbacks and come back as strong as he did.
“We’re excited about him. He’s been on the periphery of the plans of the Polish national age group teams and been to a couple of their training camps so he’s definitely on their radar.
“We have high hopes of him as an attacking player.
“His recovery is going really well. His operation went well and he’s feeling strong. He’s working every day and one of the big things with him is the mindset he has for a boy of his age.
“He could easily have been thinking ‘why me?’ but he gets his sleeves rolled up, gets over it. It’s tough to deal with, of course, but his ability to focus on the goal is unbelievable.
“He’s on track, working every day with (physio) Nick Fenton and the hope is that we will see him on the pitch before Christmas.”
Radcliffe, meanwhile, has been working under the close and reliable eye of former Burton captain John Mcgrath in the Northern Premier League with Mickleover, where he scored five goals while operating as a midfielder or defender.
“Ben had six months at Mickleover. He’s either a defender or midfielder but he’s played multiple positions for them, at centre-half, at right-back, out wide right or attacking midfielder,” said Robinson.
“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.
“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
What’s also important is that both boys have lovely family support and are really good lads.
Dan Robinson
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.
“What’s also important is that both boys have lovely family support and are really good lads.”