Benny Read - One for the future?

[Sothall_Blade]

Benny Read is hoping he’s done enough to win a contract at Sheffield United. The Horndean full-back recently spent a week on trial with the Championship outfit. He’s returned from the Blades buzzing and it’s whet his appetite to move up the Football League ladder. Currently representing the Deans in the Wessex League premier division, it’s the 20-year-old’s dream to become a professional. Read felt he impressed the United coaching staff.

He featured in games for both the under-20s and under-23s against Bolton and Doncaster respectively. Now Read awaits news if he will be given a deal at Brammall Lane. He said: ‘The chance to train with a massive club like Sheffield United was all a bit unreal. ‘A few clubs have come to watch me and they invited me up for the week. ‘I travelled up on the Saturday night and stayed with a host family in digs. ‘We had a first training session on Sunday morning before having a game against Bolton under-20s on the Monday. ‘The pace of the game was a lot quicker than in the Wessex League. ‘After about five or 10 minutes, though, I felt up to speed with what was happening. We won the game 4-1 and I felt I played well in the wing-back position.

‘The highlight was on the Thursday when we trained with the first team. ‘That was class and what struck me the most was the intensity of the training. ‘The coaches stay on top of you all the time making sure you keep up your standards. ‘Everything happens at pace and players are expected to look after the ball all the time. ‘They said that I did well and did everything they expected of a triallist. ‘Now I just have to wait and see what happens.

Read more at: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/southsea-youngster-hoping-to-win-sheffield-united-contract-after-portsmouth-chance-evaded-him-1-8812450ited-contract-after-portsmouth-chance-evaded-him-1-8812450

 

[Weasel]

"He said: ‘The chance to train with a massive club like Sheffield United was all a bit unreal..."

Lesson number 1 young Benjamin. Never, and I repeat never do you refer to us as Massive. We can be big, but never Massive. This city, in fact this county, is only big enough for one club to be the M word, and we all know who that Massive FC is. The club which is that Massive it could swallow up a black hole. It's not the Blades.

Call us a big club, and that's a good start.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Joking apart I’m personally pleased to hear that the club are looking at trying to unearth potentially hidden gems in this way

 

[Weasel]

Joking apart I’m personally pleased to hear that the club are looking at trying to unearth potentially hidden gems in this way

Agree. A club like ours should always be looking at trying to bring in the best prospects that we can to work with them with the long term view of trying to get them into the first team.

In the long distant past, Utd seemed to have a core of players who were from this neck of the woods and were home grown. They were loyal, but just as importantly, they were good enough. I'm not sure we will ever see those days again, but there is no reason why we can't expand the geographic boundaries and scout around the country. If we get them in early enough and look after them, then they will become Blades anyway.

We aren't and probably never will be able to outspend the top clubs in the country, but by unearthing our own talent, and more importantly being able to keep them, is surely the way to go?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Unfortunately, I didn't see Read in either of his trial games. I'll stand to be corrected. But, of the current U23 crop Harry Sheppeard (Tadcaster), Jake Bennett (Mickleover) & Jake Young (Guiseley) are the players we've signed from a similar route. That being - from a non-league Youth system.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Unfortunately, I didn't see Read in either of his trial games. I'll stand to be corrected. But, of the current U23 crop Harry Sheppeard (Tadcaster), Jake Bennett (Mickleover) & Jake Young (Guiseley) are the players we've signed from a similar route. That being - from a non-league Youth system.

Any stand out yet, Phil? I heard good things about Jake Young prior to signing, but know nothing of the others.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Any stand out yet, Phil? I heard good things about Jake Young prior to signing, but know nothing of the others.

I haven't seen enough of Young in a Utd shirt to form much of an opinion. Sheppeard is steady rather than stand out. In a three CB system, he usually sets up as a Right Wing Back. Bennett is the most experienced & advanced of the three. He's nominally been on loan at Chesterfield. But, essentially, picked up an injury before he'd really started. He's just started playing U23 games on his comeback trail. Also RWB. He's stocky & strong. Obviously a good player. But, we all recognise the incredibly high standard needed to get anywhere near a Championship side.

 

[DifferentClass]

"Brammall Lane"? Fuck off!