Micky's Pembrokeshire
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Jack’s off to sunny Spain
with his footballing skills!
Jack Britton is just about to embark on the sporting adventure of his life because the talented young footballer has won a two-year scholarship to the world-famous footballing academy in La Manga, Spain.
16 year old Jack travels out to La Manga on the 25th August knowing that if he can produce the footballing form that earned him seven years in the Cardiff City junior teams from under nines to under 16s then it could set him up with the professional footballing career he would dearly love. The La Manga Academy is a hot-bed of talent which is regularly watched by scouts from famous clubs all over the world and so will provide young Jack with the platform he seeks.
Relishes the challenge
He knows that he faces lots of hard work but relishes the challenge, with just four weeks off each summer and another two over Christmas. He will work at his skills for four hours each of six days in every week, with the challenge of spending 15 hours a week learning Spanish.
“Now that could be the hardest part for me,” said Jack with a chuckle. “I will stay in a villa with three other lads, and we will all be looked after by a lady. I know that I could be a bit homesick at the start but I’m ready to stick it out because I know it will be worth it. We will also be playing matches against the likes of Real Madrid and Valencia – and we start against the youth team from Barcelona – wow!”
Family support and a real body blow
Jack had been spotted as a nipper by Cardiff City after attending trials at the Vale of Glamorgan, playing in his central midfield role throughout that time. It meant three long trips each week for the two training sessions and the matches on Sundays but Jack loved every second of it.
“My parents, Stephen and Allison, were brilliant because they took me everywhere. I was captain for four of the seven years and although I was always one of the smallest players on view it didn’t make any difference to me. Real highlights were scoring goals against Manchester United in a tournament in Shrewsbury and against Chelsea at their training ground in Cobham.”
But then came the body blow when he was told that he was being released because it was felt he wasn’t physically big enough to withstand the challenges of professional football (try telling that to Joe Allen!) and it was understandable that Jack’s confidence temporarily deserted him.
Bridge Meadow spell – and great news
He joined Haverfordwest County, where he was made very welcome and was a regular in their McWhirter League youth team, helping them to reach the MacWhirter Cup Final against West End at Afan Lido. Jack was disappointed by defeat but despite being the youngest player on view it was unanimously agreed by the Haverfordwest County supporters that he was far and away the best player on the field. He also played a number of times for the reserve team at the Bridge Meadow Stadium and was included on the bench for the Welsh Premier League side.
It was a good experience for Jack which helped regain his confidence and was back to his old self when he attended what are known as ‘release trials’ with lads from a lot of other clubs at Keele University. There were also similar trials held in Spain and the best 50 were invited back for another day of football in La Manga – and after a good game there, Jack was thrilled to learn that he had been invited to take up his two-year scholarship.
Other sports
As well as his football, Jack is a very good all-round sportsman who recently entered the
county tennis finals and came runner-up in the under-16 section but won the under-18 age category. He lost 6-4, 7-6 to James Roach in the under 16s but then beat Andrew Richards 6-3, 6-1 in the under 18s – and really enjoyed taking part because he readily admits he is competitive by nature. Jack also played outside half for the Tasker Milward School rugby team coached by Mr Andy Barlow.
Cricket has always been his other main sporting love after granddad Alan Spence was a very good wicket-keeper with Neyland and the Welsh Veterans’ team. Jack has played for Hook Cricket Club and the county team in every age from under 10s to under 16s, coached by Mike Scourfield, Colin Murphy and Rhydian Rees as a leg-spin bowler/batsman. His top score so far is 73 and he once claimed 6 for 5 in five overs whilst bowling for Hook Seconds.
And finally . . .
But all that will have to be put aside for the moment because Jack is focussed fully on his exciting challenge ahead. He knows that there is hard work aplenty but PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is confident that he will do well because as well as his obvious footballing skills and determination to succeed he has a level head on those young shoulders of his – and we wish Jack Britton every success because he really does deserve to do well!
PHOTOS:
Jack Britton
Jack (kneeling 5th left) in the Haverfordwest County MacWhirter Cup Final team
Jack (kneeling far right) in the Haverfordwest County senior squad
Jack (kneeling fourth left) in the successful Hook Youth cricket team
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