Redfern and Niven seeking new chances
THERE are, unfortunately, hard luck stories to go with all the good news stories when it comes to the step from Academy to first team in professional football.
At bigger clubs, there is usually the option of an under-23 side to further their development – although it can also delay the inevitable release for some.
With Burton Albion, such a step is a luxury that cannot be afforded, so players have to look to make the jump straight to the first team.
As others have shown, when that jump is not possible, a way into the professional game can still happen, starting perhaps further down – and that must be the hope for Luke Redfern and Callum Niven, two young players the Brewers have reluctantly parted ways with.
Redfern, the under-18s captain for their run to the FA Youth Cup fifth round a couple of years ago, has been released, having had his first professional deal last season, while Niven has been let go without bring offered one.
Both, says Academy manager Dan Robinson, were difficult decisions.
“Callum was unfortunate, he has just missed out,” said Robinson.
“He created a lot of discussion and debate amongst all the staff.
“He scored a lot of goals and was very competitive but when it came to the next step – opportunities to maybe break into the first team – the feeling here was that he was just going to fall a bit short.
“He’s been on trial at a number of clubs since and done well.
“I have no doubt we will see him pop up somewhere, if not at a League club then at a decent nonleague club.
“He did well out on loan, playing and scoring for Mickleover and for Redditch.
“Someone will definitely take him on and he could be one of those who bounces back but, unfortunately, he just fell short of a contract with us.” Redfern was just as difficult. “He did well on loan with Sutton Coldfield and he played in the Birmingham Senior Cup games with us and played a part around the first team in pre-season when they were getting everything together,” said Robinson.
“He’s been with us since he was nine, a play-making defender but, particularly with defensive players, if we had kept him another year, what would his opportunities have been to play with us? That’s versus going somewhere else where he will play regularly.
“If we were able to have an under23s programme, he would have been perfect for that but, unfortunately, we don’t and he has not quite done enough to be one of those who is going to be knocking on the door for the first team, as someone who predominantly plays centre-back.
“It’s very difficult. He’s been trialling with a couple of professional clubs and we think he will kick on again.
“He’s another kid with a great attitude and mentality when it comes to resilience and bouncing back.”
Robinson is convinced both players have a good chance of going on to forge a career in the game.
“The big thing for me this year is that the boys we are not moving forward with, there is interest in them from other clubs, which is a good example of our progress,” he added.
“If it was up to me, I’d take them all but, unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that.
“Redders and Callum are unlucky but I’m excited to see where they go next.”