Jamie Allen has paid tribute to the youth-team coaches who helped him break into the first-team setup.
by Sam GillilandJamie Allen has paid tribute to the youth-team coaches who helped him break into the first-team setup.
The 18-year-old made his first start in the 3-0 win over Oxford United last Saturday, and went on to claim the Man of the Match award.
Jamie Allen has already scored for the first-team this season, in a substitute appearance at Northampton Town, and wanted to thank coaches Steve Carlin, Mark Bowley and Mick Horsfall for their role in his development.
He said: “If it wasn’t for Steve, Mark and Mick I wouldn’t have made it to the first-team, I’ll never forget them, so I owe them a massive ‘thank you’.
“When I came here my aim was to play in the first-team, but it’s happened so fast that I was not expecting it.
“The new manager (Graham Alexander) has come in, and he’s given me a chance. I thought that if I do what I know I can do then maybe I would get a chance.
“I didn’t think I would get a start this early, but hopefully now I can keep doing well in training with the first-team and get more starts under my belt.”
Allen has also spoken about the great friendship’s he holds within the youth-team setup, and hopes to see more of the young Cod Army in the first-team soon.
He added: “The young players know how important this year is, especially the second years, so they have got to knuckle down now and show how much they want it.
“They are all great players, but they must keep fighting on fighting towards the first team.”
