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Jake Turner has been tipped for big things at Wanderers – but Jimmy Phillips admits it was “sheer luck” which first brought him to the club’s attention.
Capped by England at youth level and watched by some of the biggest clubs in the land, the Wilmslow-born keeper signed his first professional contract with the Whites this week, tying him to the Macron until the summer of 2019.
Turner is the first Bolton player to represent his country at Under-18s level in over a decade, the last being Rob Sissons in 2006.
He featured on the bench for Phil Parkinson in League One last season and should feature heavily in the pre-season schedule.
But Wanderers Academy chief Phillips revealed how a quirk of fate led to his discovery as a teenager on the council pitches of Stockport.
“Jake came to us in the Under-15s season and it was just by sheer luck and coincidence that we stumbled across him, if I’m honest,” he told The Bolton News.
“Our scout had gone to watch a game in Stockport which got called off. But as luck would have it there was another match happening on the pitch next door.
“He turned around and noticed this big lad playing in goal.
“He had only been playing in goals for about four months because he had originally been a centre-half or a striker.
“But he must have had a good game because our scout invited him in for a trial and it all started from there for him at Bolton Wanderers.
Wanderers also gave pro deals to Connor Hall and Jeff King this week, who also came to the club later in their development.
Phillips says there is no ‘right way’ to becoming a professional footballer with an interesting mix developing among the new academy recruits this summer.
“An example like Jake’s just shows you the development of players comes in all shapes and sizes,” he said. “This year we’ve taken on seven local lads into a first-year scholarship and four of those have been with us since the Under-9s. That won’t happen every year but it’s great to be able to see the progression.
“Others come in later but there is no set way of becoming a footballer.”
Phillips reckons Turner has all the attributes to become a success at senior level with Wanderers, given the right opportunities.
“Since we brought him in Jake hasn’t looked back,” he said. “He’s a very conscientious young man, trains very hard, takes all the advice and experiences he has had in his stride. It hasn’t changed his attitude at all.
“As I always say the academy takes a lot of pride when players make that step up but it isn’t me, or any one particular coach who should get credit. There are dozens and dozens of people who have helped players like Jake edge their way along and become the man they are. With all that hard work, we hope he goes on and gets opportunities to be a successful professional.”
Turner, still just 18, comes from a footballing family – his sister Millie plays for Bristol City Ladies and has also represented her country at youth level.
Last season he made his England debut against France before being pushed into the limelight as cover for Mark Howard and Ben Alnwick during their respective injury spells.
Turner is grateful for the help he has received in the academy and now has his sights fixed on making a senior bow.
“To achieve what I have in just three years as a goalkeeper, it’s what I’ve always dreamt of,” he said at the end of last season.
“David [Lee] and Nicky [Spooner] are great coaches and they work everyone hard throughout the week.
“I’m now going to keep working hard and see how it goes. I’m always preparing for it and working towards making my debut.
“You never know, maybe one day soon the call could come.”
Source
Capped by England at youth level and watched by some of the biggest clubs in the land, the Wilmslow-born keeper signed his first professional contract with the Whites this week, tying him to the Macron until the summer of 2019.
Turner is the first Bolton player to represent his country at Under-18s level in over a decade, the last being Rob Sissons in 2006.
He featured on the bench for Phil Parkinson in League One last season and should feature heavily in the pre-season schedule.
But Wanderers Academy chief Phillips revealed how a quirk of fate led to his discovery as a teenager on the council pitches of Stockport.
“Jake came to us in the Under-15s season and it was just by sheer luck and coincidence that we stumbled across him, if I’m honest,” he told The Bolton News.
“Our scout had gone to watch a game in Stockport which got called off. But as luck would have it there was another match happening on the pitch next door.
“He turned around and noticed this big lad playing in goal.
“He had only been playing in goals for about four months because he had originally been a centre-half or a striker.
“But he must have had a good game because our scout invited him in for a trial and it all started from there for him at Bolton Wanderers.
Wanderers also gave pro deals to Connor Hall and Jeff King this week, who also came to the club later in their development.
Phillips says there is no ‘right way’ to becoming a professional footballer with an interesting mix developing among the new academy recruits this summer.
“An example like Jake’s just shows you the development of players comes in all shapes and sizes,” he said. “This year we’ve taken on seven local lads into a first-year scholarship and four of those have been with us since the Under-9s. That won’t happen every year but it’s great to be able to see the progression.
“Others come in later but there is no set way of becoming a footballer.”
Phillips reckons Turner has all the attributes to become a success at senior level with Wanderers, given the right opportunities.
“Since we brought him in Jake hasn’t looked back,” he said. “He’s a very conscientious young man, trains very hard, takes all the advice and experiences he has had in his stride. It hasn’t changed his attitude at all.
“As I always say the academy takes a lot of pride when players make that step up but it isn’t me, or any one particular coach who should get credit. There are dozens and dozens of people who have helped players like Jake edge their way along and become the man they are. With all that hard work, we hope he goes on and gets opportunities to be a successful professional.”
Turner, still just 18, comes from a footballing family – his sister Millie plays for Bristol City Ladies and has also represented her country at youth level.
Last season he made his England debut against France before being pushed into the limelight as cover for Mark Howard and Ben Alnwick during their respective injury spells.
Turner is grateful for the help he has received in the academy and now has his sights fixed on making a senior bow.
“To achieve what I have in just three years as a goalkeeper, it’s what I’ve always dreamt of,” he said at the end of last season.
“David [Lee] and Nicky [Spooner] are great coaches and they work everyone hard throughout the week.
“I’m now going to keep working hard and see how it goes. I’m always preparing for it and working towards making my debut.
“You never know, maybe one day soon the call could come.”
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