Home Video Gallery Contact Us Advertise Here
IslandStats.com RSS Feed
Loading
Youth Soccer

Home
Youth Soccer Home
Schedules
Current Scores
Historical Scores
Photo Gallery
Related Links
Contact Us
Advertise
 
IslandStats.com RSS Feed

 

Youth Soccer
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Eve Rising Up the Stoke City Rankings

IslandStats.com
Daniel Bachmann is used to making a little bit of history for Stoke City even at such a young age.

The 19 year-old Austrian-born goalkeeper, was among the first foreign signings for the club's Academy.

And now he's the first in the new wave of Academy players to progress all the way to the first-team bench after his appearance among the subs against Leicester.

Bachmann's dramatic rise through the ranks has come after injuries to Asmir Begovic and Thomas Sorensen – and has actually stalled his move out on loan for first-team experience.

"Yes, the next step for Bachmann was to get him some league experience out on loan and that is something we have been working on," says Academy director David Wright.

"But obviously he can't go out at the moment and we are all delighted he is getting the chance he is.

"It was a very, very proud moment for us to see him among the subs last week and Bachmann himself was obviously over the moon.

"It's unfortunate the chance has come because of the injuries to the other keepers, but that's how a young lad sometimes gets his opportunity."

The Academy itself is entitled to wave a few flags after seeing their hard work, most of it unseen, bear some early fruit.

Bachman arrived on these shores nearly four years ago from Austria Vienna after work behind the scenes by recruitment chief Kev Scott ahead of a trial for the young goalkeeper.

The fact that Bachman barely spoke a word of English demonstrated a steely determination from day one.

"He was 15 or 16 when he came for a trial. Our goalkeeping coaches Andy Quy and Danny Alcock saw a hell of a lot of potential and so he was signed as a scholar.

"He later signed for two years as a young pro and only a couple of months ago his contract was renewed for another couple of years.

"When he first came we had to look after him, of course, by putting him with the right family and to arrange him English lessons.

"He's a very determined young lad. He was among the first foreign lads in the Academy and so that would have made it even more difficult for him.

"Bachmann has since applied himself brilliantly, but a lot of hard work has also gone into him from the staff, especially the goalkeeping staff.

"He has already shown a lot of character because he had a long spell out with a back injury, but eventually came through that."

To such an extent that earlier this season Bachmann began training and travelling with the first team, warming up the senior goalkeepers at the likes of Old Trafford and Goodison Park.

Now those duties have been passed down to Dale Eve, a year behind Bachmann in the age stakes, and who has just returned from a loan spell at Fleetwood.

"We are very lucky to have two such fine young goalkeepers," says Wright, "and at this stage of their careers it's all about getting them the right experience.

"While Daniel needs games, Dale went to Fleetwood as a number two to sit on the bench because it was good for him to be working in a first-team environment.

Mind you, given the ill luck afflicting Stoke goalkeepers right now, he might find himself first choice in these parts in a week or two!
Last 75 Headlines






IslandStats.com - Bermuda's Online Sports Source
 
© Copyright IslandStats.com