We’d be foolish not have a look at him: Duff on trialist Sunley

PROMISING midfielder James Sunley has been offered a chance to impress on trial with Cheltenham Town.

The Jersey-born midfielder, 17, caught the eye in action for Tuffley Rovers Under-18s during the FA Youth Cup first round tie at the Jonny-rocks Stadium, which the Robins won 4-0.

Despite the final result, Hartpury student Sunley was one of the outstanding performers on the night and he could now be set to earn a move to the League Two club.

Sunley is in his second and final year of a Level Three

Extended Diploma and part of Hartpury’s successful football academy.

He has also appeared for Tuffley’s senior side in the Hellenic League Premier Division this season, scoring once in three starts since beginning with two substitute outings.

Sunley has previously spent time with Fulham and Southampton and despite suffering knockbacks at both clubs, he retains a burning desire to make it in the professional game and is expected to spend several weeks training full-time with Cheltenham.

Manager Michael Duff said: “I think we’d be foolish not to have a look at him.

“I went to watch the FA Youth Cup game against Tuffley Rovers and he was the best player on the pitch.

“He is on the doorstep, so have a look at him. He was in last Thursday and Friday and it’s not a trial as in, come in for two days and we’ll make a decision.

“He lives locally and he’ll be doing his education anyway. He is a really intelligent boy, academically, so we’ll keep tabs on him.

“We’ll keep bringing him in. He can definitely handle a football. The three centre midfielders we had playing in that game, there are quite high hopes for them, but he stood out as the best midfielder.

“You can tell sometimes, the way someone receives the ball, the way they check their shoulders before, the way their first touch beats a man or moves it into space.

“They are the little things you are looking for. There is nothing definite, but you never know in football.

“It’d be disappointing if he ends up going to a Bristol City and he’s been on our doorstep, he’s played against us and we’ve not even looked at him.

“That might still happen and we might not offer him a contract and he might end up at Bristol City, but at least we’ve made that decision ourselves, instead of saying ‘there’s one we’ve missed out on’.

“It’s something we don’t want people like that going without us having a look.”

After his sparkling FA Youth Cup display, Sunley said: “My ambition is to go full-time and play at the highest level possible.

“I had to sacrifice things to move to the UK and I’ve set my goals and been on trial many times, but nothing has ever materialised so I’m still fighting for my opportunity to make it.

“Coming from what I call a ‘bubble’ in Jersey to being on trials in Category One academies is a step up, but now I think I’ve matured and I’m ready to try reach my goals and be successful.”

During his time on trial with Fulham, Sunley played alongside Liverpool prospect Harvey Elliott, who is now on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

He rates the best player he has faced as Arsenal’s Miguel Azeez.