Former Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy student Nakhi Wells continues to make progress within the professional game. Wells recent move to Huddersfield Town FC from Bradford City reportedly smashed their previous record signing according to the Huddersfield Examier.
Wells’ journey to Huddersfield from the RIASA training fields and games has been quite a story.
Wells was first introduced to RIASA by scout Martin Dell in Richmond, VA. Martin has extensive contacts in Bermuda and when Wells inquired about the RIASA program Martin helped facilitate his enrollment into the academy in the fall of 2010. When Wells arrived at RIASA Mark Ellis was managing the RIASA team and Dai Jones was the head academy coach. Both were instrumental in his playing development.
It was not long before Wells began to show his talents, scoring three goals against Hull City youth academy team and putting in great performances in the West Yorkshire League where RIASA played its football at the time. Ellis said, “He scored a fantastic hat trick for RIASA, in our first ever showcase game at Hull City, in which we won 3-0. Unbelievably, Hull City never invited him in. He then scored 2 goals in a showcase game at York City but again not even an enquiry about him. I was surprised as I knew he was a special talent.”
Ellis recalled how Wells played a league cup game at Peel Park overlooking Bradford’s Stadium, Valley Parade. “He scored a hat trick in 20 minutes and when he scored his 3rd goal it was like he'd scored at Wembley. Wells trained with RIASA within a mile of Bradford City and yet no one came to look at him. Little did they know at the time a million pound plus player was playing on a local park overlooking their stadium.”
Ellis said, “The level Wells was playing at did not change my mind about his potential. He was the top scorer before he left for a trial at Carlisle United where I called the then manager Greg Abbott and my former teammate to tell him, Theo Walcott has turned up on my program.”
Ellis took Wells to meet the assistant coach of Carlisle for a weeklong trial. Abbot called Ellis back and said he would offer Wells a six-month contract as he had done, “exceptionally well.” Wells made three appearances for Carlisle before being released. Ellis said, “Wells was still learning the game and needed more time, the fact that Carlisle did not have an U21 development squad meant they probably missed out on his future potential.”
Ellis believes that Wells time at Carlisle was time well spent; it was there that he learnt some valuable lessons that would stand him in good stead for his time at Bradford. After returning from Carlisle Nahki was, in effect, without a club but Ellis still believed in Wells’ ability to make the grade in the professional game.
Ellis stated, “I knew Wells had potential and needed another shot. I persuaded Dave Baldwin, partner at RIASA and the Chief Executive at Bradford City, to a look at him. To Dave’s credit he got the chairman Mark Lawn to come and watch Wells. Unfortunately it was not Wells’ best game, he played well below his potential. Thankfully, the Chairman at Bradford took my advice and gave him a chance. The rest is now history with Wells. He has now forged a career and I believe he will go even further in the game as he matures.”
Ellis concluded, “What makes Wells special is not just his speed, first touch and goal scoring ability but his willingness to learn and do what it takes.”
