Young Kiwis in UK

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coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
Not proper football as such, but interesting to see some Kiwis playing Futsal at a high level in Blighty.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/glory-for-nz-futsal-players-in-english-championship/
June 12, 2023 23:55
carlind
WeeNix
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980
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over 3 years
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
June 13, 2023 18:00
Rusty Dunks
WeeNix
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about 9 years
carlind
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
Here we go (again!) - let's play "Guess the Eligibility"!
Born in the UK, raised in Auckland. Left the country ages 18-19 for the US; I thought there was a rule stating a player had to live in the country x amount of years after 18? 
Would depend on if he had/has a NZ passport? Or parentage?
June 13, 2023 20:18
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Rusty Dunks
carlind
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
Here we go (again!) - let's play "Guess the Eligibility"!
Born in the UK, raised in Auckland. Left the country ages 18-19 for the US; I thought there was a rule stating a player had to live in the country x amount of years after 18? 
Would depend on if he had/has a NZ passport? Or parentage?

Was he not part of some underage side training camp or even the Oly Whites not that long ago?

Surely he would have to be eligible to even make an extended training squad, otherwise what's the bloody point in having him there in the first place?
June 13, 2023 21:37 · Edited June 13, 2023 22:17
Rusty Dunks
WeeNix
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930
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about 9 years
YoungHeartHM
Rusty Dunks
carlind
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
Here we go (again!) - let's play "Guess the Eligibility"!
Born in the UK, raised in Auckland. Left the country ages 18-19 for the US; I thought there was a rule stating a player had to live in the country x amount of years after 18? 
Would depend on if he had/has a NZ passport? Or parentage?

Was he not part of some underage side training camp or even the Oly Whites not that long ago?

Surely he would have to be eligible to even make an extended training squad, otherwise what's the bloody point in having him there in the first place?

You'd think so, wouldn't you? But our track record isn't wonderful with that
June 14, 2023 11:34 · Edited June 14, 2023 11:34
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Rusty Dunks
YoungHeartHM
Rusty Dunks
carlind
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
Here we go (again!) - let's play "Guess the Eligibility"!
Born in the UK, raised in Auckland. Left the country ages 18-19 for the US; I thought there was a rule stating a player had to live in the country x amount of years after 18? 
Would depend on if he had/has a NZ passport? Or parentage?

Was he not part of some underage side training camp or even the Oly Whites not that long ago?

Surely he would have to be eligible to even make an extended training squad, otherwise what's the bloody point in having him there in the first place?

You'd think so, wouldn't you? But our track record isn't wonderful with that

I didn't want to allude to that in my previous post. If anything I hope we've learnt a lesson or two on eligibility saga's. 

Seems we're still waiting for the lesson in timely coaching announcements though... But that's another topic completely.

Bit of a random transfer if it does go through though. 
Graduation ▶️ USL1 ▶️ Unattached FC ▶️ Scottish Premiership

Not your traditional route, but potentially works out excellently for us.

June 14, 2023 13:36
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Scratch Livingston - Signs for Cove Rangers FC - Scottish League One, having been relegated this season.

Same League that George Stanger recently transferred out of (Alloa Athletic) to go to Ayr United in the Scottish Championship.
June 14, 2023 15:21 · Edited June 15, 2023 12:15
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Screenshot_2023-06-15-10-00-39-49_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 208.82 KB

This is a significant removal of a barrier to entry for young Kiwi's hoping to play football in England. Previous to this you'd need a British passport or a requisite number of points to satisfy Work Permit criteria. Having looked at the previous bands/points needed to reach these thresholds, it was essentially impossible as a New Zealander to get in to the system without that British passport...

There is no 100% certainty to this, but it could potentially mean we see a few more Kiwi's make their way to England in the long run. 🤞


June 15, 2023 10:05 · Edited June 15, 2023 11:32
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
7.2K
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4.9K
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almost 10 years
Rusty Dunks
carlind
Can't see any mention of him playing any trial/reserve matches or being signed - he might not even be there in a playing capacity - but 24-year-old, Aucklander defender Will Gillingham has been followed on Instagram by at least twelve different Livingston FC players. That obviously far too many for any coincidence and where there's smoke there's often fire. His IG bio also says he's based in Scotland. 

Gillingham played for Central Valley Fuego last year in the USL League One after graduating. Livingston finished this season second in the Relegation Group of the Scottish Premiership. Hopefully it is a playing gig, because if so that would put him below only the MLS pair in terms of league level of NZ central defenders.
Here we go (again!) - let's play "Guess the Eligibility"!
Born in the UK, raised in Auckland. Left the country ages 18-19 for the US; I thought there was a rule stating a player had to live in the country x amount of years after 18? 
Would depend on if he had/has a NZ passport? Or parentage?

Did a follow up with this and he has a NZ passport. 

Don't know if this circumvents all other criteria and whatnot regarding eligibility - ie because he was born in the UK and obviously hadn't lived here for 5 years after turning 18.

Just thought I'd provide an update regarding this.
June 21, 2023 13:46
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years


Zac Jones and his Haverfordwest County side draw North Macedonian side FK Skhëndija in the qualifying rounds of the UECL. A tough ask given Skhëndija have made it to European qualifying rounds in 12 of the past 13 seasons, whilst this will only be Haverfordwest County's second ever step into European competition.

Home & Away ties scheduled for 13th & 20th of July (14th & 21st NZT).
June 21, 2023 21:14
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years


Private training based in Manchester, and from what I've gathered - Trials at Premier League clubs in the North-west of England for Adam Supyk.

Good luck to the kid. 👏
June 27, 2023 09:01 · Edited June 27, 2023 13:57
MetalLegNZ
Marquee
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almost 12 years
Awesome for him - as I have rated him previously, but thought he had a bad tournament.

Would be interested to hear about all 3 of our starting CB's and Conchie if they got any hits + Wallace maybe who is in still playing in NZ.
June 27, 2023 09:57
Rusty Dunks
WeeNix
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930
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about 9 years
YoungHeartHM


Private training based in Manchester, and from what I've gathered - Trials at Premier League clubs based in the North-west of England for Adam Supyk.

Good luck to the kid. 👏

North-west screams Burnley to me (possibly Everton with Dyche there)
June 27, 2023 11:38
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Rusty Dunks
YoungHeartHM


Private training based in Manchester, and from what I've gathered - Trials at Premier League clubs based in the North-west of England for Adam Supyk.

Good luck to the kid. 👏

North-west screams Burnley to me (possibly Everton with Dyche there)

Will try dig up some more info, but I was thinking the same thing. Strong Burnley ▶️ New Zealand links from years gone by - They love a Kiwi at Turf Moor. 

To be fair though, any move to a Premier League club (even if initially with age group sides) would be absolutely incredible.
June 27, 2023 12:38 · Edited June 27, 2023 13:57
coochiee
Legend
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23K
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about 9 years
MetalLegNZ
Awesome for him - as I have rated him previously, but thought he had a bad tournament.

Would be interested to hear about all 3 of our starting CB's and Conchie if they got any hits + Wallace maybe who is in still playing in NZ.

Yipe thought he was a bit average in Argentina as well. British passport, which means signing for even a EPL club club on a youth deal is not really incredible, rather you are one of many kids they have spotted, of which only a small number will ever play in the EPL. That's not to be churlish, just realistic. Note Marley Leuluai being released by Man City. Wish Supyk all the best.

Actually spoke on the phone to his English Dad (family living in Canterbury) a few times back in 2019, when working for a couple of months in Auckland. Seemed a nice well grounded whanau. At that point both boys (Adam & Luke) were just making the move up to Welly & Scots College from Canterbury.

Got a UK passport & handy at football? Get yourself to the Nix. Then into a NZ age group team. Then use that age group shop window plus passport, to get yourself a UK gig. Henry Gray, now maybe Supyk.


June 27, 2023 14:17 · Edited June 27, 2023 17:25
Hutcho137
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Trialist
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about 1 year
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Looks like Marley has signed with U18 Burnley side.
July 02, 2023 12:09
coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
Hutcho137
Marlie 2.png 85.42 KB
Looks like Marley has signed with U18 Burnley side.

July 07, 2023 12:22
RR
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Bossi Insider
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almost 16 years
Confirmation of Henry Gray joining Ipswich Town

July 12, 2023 14:22 · Edited July 12, 2023 14:22
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years


Was talking to an Ayr United fan about Callan Elliot (random I know) and he came up with this gem regarding Eastern Suburbs Ralph Rutherford (18) who sounds like he's been trialling in Scotland recently.
July 12, 2023 23:37
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Confirmation of Marley Leuluai joining the Burnley U18 setup on a 2 year scholarship deal.

https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/academy-scholars-sign-on-for-2023-24-season
July 13, 2023 22:41
coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
July 19, 2023 11:36
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years


That was another really good performance. Not just from Zac, but from the whole Haverfordwest County outfit.

They scored in the 89th minute to tie it up on aggregate, and absolutely slogged it out in extra time against a very much more fancied side in Skhëndija. 

Surely if he keeps up his form from the backend of last season, and from the start of this one, he'll have to have some interest from outside of Wales. 

Next up to the victors go the spoils, and an exotic trip to B36 Tórshavn of the Faroe Islands.


July 21, 2023 09:51
coochiee
Legend
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23K
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about 9 years
July 21, 2023 12:08
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Just seen the payday Haverfordwest County will get for making the next round. A guaranteed extra €200,000 for the club coffers, which is definitely not insignificant for a Cymru Premier football club. Currently sitting on a prize pool of €350,000 as it stands for their two UECL games so far.

Should they get past their Faroese opponents in the next round, then chuck another €200,000 in that prize fund. 
July 21, 2023 17:43 · Edited July 21, 2023 17:53
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Found a nice little paywalled article on The Athletic about the ventures of Haverfordwest County and their European escapade. Covers a little bit on Zac Jones and his hopes of pursuing a professional deal in the game. So there are promising signs in that regard that he's on the hunt, and hoping to further his footballing career. The way he's been going of late you wouldn't bet against him achieving that over the next little while either.

Every player has a story behind a journey to this Welsh footballing outpost and then on to the capital of Macedonia. None, though, included a leap of faith as big as the one taken by Zac Jones.

Haverfordwest’s goalkeeper had grown up on the books of A-League club Wellington Phoenix as a youngster and, soon after his 21st birthday, flew 12,000 miles to the UK in the vague hope of finding fresh opportunities. The only people he knew were his father’s cousins, who offered temporary accommodation at their home in Swansea.

“I spent my first week in quarantine,” he laughs. “I’d thought about coming over for a long time but because of Covid it was difficult. That delayed the trip but as soon as the borders opened up I was on the first flight out.

“Through a connection I had through the old manager at Haverfordwest I got invited for a trial down there. A week later I was signed and I’ve been here for a year and a half. I’ve loved every bit of it.”

And with good reason.

Jones was Haverfordwest’s hero in qualifying for Europe at the end of last season, not once but twice. His saves were pivotal in the penalty shoot-out wins over Cardiff Metropolitan University and Newtown, teeing up this trip to Skopje. “It was pretty surreal,” he says, shortly after the team walk had ended with an impromptu first glimpse inside the Tose Proeski Arena. “It didn’t sink in for a long time what had happened. I can’t really explain what I was feeling but it was cool to play my part in a bit of history.

“My family were all up watching at home (in New Zealand). They were up at 4am for kick-off and then it went to extra-time and penalties. They’d expected to go back to bed after the game but when I called them in the morning they’d not slept one bit. They were buzzing for me.
“They’ve always given me support and I just decided to give this a crack when I was young. If it didn’t work out then I’ve lost nothing. But while I’m young and ambitious I wanted to see how far I could take my football.”
Jones’ aim is for all this to end with a professional contract and, to that end, Haverfordwest is another stop on the line.

Pennock has no problem with that. The opposite, in fact. It is part of his sales pitch during recruitment, the promise that bigger moves will come if successful in the Cymru Premier.

So some promising signs out of that if he can keep up his form and get noticed. Big move to make to go and play in Wales to go and try get noticed, but hopefully it works out for him.
 
Just a bit more on the prize money for the club too - They also get €100,000 for each Home/Away tie. So as it stands, they'll be taking home about €550,000 from their European sojourn so far (well, after the trip to the Faroes that is).

Not a bad payday for a club that turns over approximately €400,000 (£350,000) annually. 
July 22, 2023 00:01 · Edited July 22, 2023 00:04
LooseUnit
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Tyler Bindon played this morning for Reading in a trial game against Southampton. 
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/22/report-reading-vs-southampton/
He's been training there for a while, and has played in a couple of earlier pre-season games.

July 23, 2023 08:22
Hutcho137
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Trialist
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about 1 year
LooseUnit
Tyler Bindon played this morning for Reading in a trial game against Southampton. 
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/22/report-reading-vs-southampton/
He's been training there for a while, and has played in a couple of earlier pre-season games.

Looks like another Tyler Boyd situation, has already played two games for USA
July 23, 2023 21:03
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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almost 10 years
Hutcho137
LooseUnit
Tyler Bindon played this morning for Reading in a trial game against Southampton. 
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/22/report-reading-vs-southampton/
He's been training there for a while, and has played in a couple of earlier pre-season games.

Looks like another Tyler Boyd situation, has already played two games for USA

Was talking to someone on twitter who said this about him...


Will absolutely do my head in if we've not even had a chat to him. 🤦‍♂️
July 23, 2023 22:00 · Edited July 23, 2023 22:01
coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
Bit of a 2 way street though sometimes. Mum Jenny Bindon played for Football Ferns for many years, so must have a contact or two at NZF. If Tyler was keen on playing for NZ they could make a quick call, sent an email. Ali Riley first good picked for the Ferns because her Kiwi dad sent NZ Football a video from California.

See that Jenny is now an assistant coach of the London City Lionesses. So might help explain a bit how young Tyler has now got himself to the UK. If he's been in & around USA national age group teams, he may just be hedging his bets with them for awhile. Does a USA pathway make it easier to get into Europe than a NZ pathway?

July 23, 2023 23:54 · Edited July 24, 2023 00:04
mrsmiis
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Starting XI
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3.1K
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about 7 years
YoungHeartHM
Hutcho137
LooseUnit
Tyler Bindon played this morning for Reading in a trial game against Southampton. 
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/22/report-reading-vs-southampton/
He's been training there for a while, and has played in a couple of earlier pre-season games.

Looks like another Tyler Boyd situation, has already played two games for USA

Was talking to someone on twitter who said this about him...


Will absolutely do my head in if we've not even had a chat to him. 🤦‍♂️

Thankfully that’s not true lol. Think the most that may have happened is that he wasn’t in consideration/approached for the U20 WC squad
July 24, 2023 00:24
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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4.9K
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almost 10 years
mrsmiis
YoungHeartHM
Hutcho137
LooseUnit
Tyler Bindon played this morning for Reading in a trial game against Southampton. 
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/22/report-reading-vs-southampton/
He's been training there for a while, and has played in a couple of earlier pre-season games.

Looks like another Tyler Boyd situation, has already played two games for USA

Was talking to someone on twitter who said this about him...


Will absolutely do my head in if we've not even had a chat to him. 🤦‍♂️

Thankfully that’s not true lol. Think the most that may have happened is that he wasn’t in consideration/approached for the U20 WC squad

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July 24, 2023 00:34
MetalLegNZ
Marquee
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almost 12 years
He can still change to us... he has that 1 free pass as all nation hoping players do.

Is he eligible for the next u20 WC and are these happening every year now? I heard a rumour FIFA was wanting to make some more money.
July 24, 2023 12:13
coochiee
Legend
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23K
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about 9 years
Some more Zac Jones. Nice bit of commentary (presumbaly it's Welsh?) in the last clip, after his pen save to clinch the shootout win.



July 24, 2023 12:41 · Edited July 24, 2023 12:41
coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
July 27, 2023 12:39
LooseUnit
Trialist
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over 1 year
MetalLegNZ
He can still change to us... he has that 1 free pass as all nation hoping players do.

Is he eligible for the next u20 WC and are these happening every year now? I heard a rumour FIFA was wanting to make some more money.
yep he qualifies for next u20 tournament - he's an '05. NZ football have dropped the ball a little bit. But the USNT environment is a whole lot better than what NZ can provide at this age.
July 30, 2023 13:31
coochiee
Legend
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about 9 years
Zac Jones & Haverfordwest in Europa Conference League - away leg in Faroe Islands. via Flying Kiwis.


Hwlffordd travelled to the Faroe Islands to take on B36 Tórshavn and emerged from a tough game with only a single-goal deficit. A 2-1 defeat in this instance.

Similar to Haverfordwest, B36 are also from relatively minor league that gets overshadowed by those in the nations around them... but they do have a lot more pedigree in Europe having made it to the third qualifying round in two of the three seasons that this competition has existed for. They’re the favoured team in this tie and it didn’t take them long to show why, taking an 11th minute lead as Zac Jones was left helpless against a smoothly executed cut-back and strike.  

Jonesy and company kept it there until the 60th minute when a similar move was converted with a similar cut-back strike. Less than ideal. However Martell Taylor-Crossdale, a former Fulham and Chelsea academy fella, was able to squeeze home a scrappy goal for Haverfordwest County with ten minutes remaining. A potentially crucial goal in the tie. They hadn’t really looked like doing anything on attack in the first half and while they’d have been satisfied with the defensive shift they put in to that point... conceding that second goal could’ve been a killer without MTC’s late strike.

An improved second half for sure. Keeps them in the contest heading back to Wales on Friday. Didn’t get the same plethora of Zac Jones highlight saves on this occasion although he was still extremely sturdy in all those important fundamentals. Couldn’t do much about the two goals that flew past him either. Should be a ripper of a second leg on Friday.

Up Next: You know the drill... Hwlffordd vs B36 at 6.45am on Friday, ECL second round qualifying second leg (NZT)
August 02, 2023 12:49
coochiee
Legend
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23K
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about 9 years
Unfortunately the European adventure is over for Zac Jones & his Welsh club. His pen saving heroics may have caught eye of a few UK clubs I wonder.


August 04, 2023 13:58
YoungHeartHM
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Starting XI
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4.9K
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almost 10 years
Have been following the progress of Adam Supyk and any potential deals that may have been made over in the UK after initially heading over for trials.

While it's nothing concrete, and I haven't seen any confirmation as yet for any deals, I have gone the tried and tested route of Instagram (😂) and note that he has a small but growing following of Stoke City players - Mostly of Academy and U18/U21 persuasion.

Screenshot_2023-08-06-10-29-40-86_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 334.47 KB


Will see if I can find out something with a bit more substance however. They must be close to confirming their U21/Reserve sides for the coming season, so we should know either way soon enough.





August 05, 2023 22:20 · Edited August 06, 2023 12:26
Hutcho137
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Trialist
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http
Good start but not sure if Marley was a part of the U18's win
August 08, 2023 00:02
Hutcho137
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about 1 year
I haven't seen anything about Watson leaving Stoke City so I'm assuming he is staying on with the U18s, With Nathan Lowe moving towards the first-grade bench hopefully we see more of Watson starting and hopefully getting a few games in PL2 as well just like Lowe and Hayder did last season. Watson with 6 goals from 18 games (equal for most goals with Lowe although Lowe only played 8 games and was in and out of PL2 (1 goal) and on the bench for EFL Championship) will have a bit of competition with Hayder Scoring 5 goals from 22 and has played 2 games in PL2 although most likely to play LW  should have it over Iwobi with just 1 goal from 8 games. Hopefully, Watson can have a season like Lowe did last season we might see Watson's name on the bench. Wishful thinking I know but if it happened to Lowe last season there is no reason why it can't happen for Watson.
August 08, 2023 00:47
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