Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Stockley vows to take step in his stride
JAYDEN Stockley the teenager fast-tracked into Cherries' first team is vowing to remain grounded as he bids to become the club's latest successful homegrown striker.[LNB] The 16-year-old, who has been elevated to the senior ranks by boss Eddie Howe, is likely to feature tomorrow when Cherries kick off their warm-up campaign with a friendly against Premier League Tottenham (3pm).[LNB] Stockley was handed a five-year contract in November and, having completed his GCSEs and begun a two-year apprenticeship, has been given an opportunity to make a name for himself. Boss Howe has high hopes for him and although the youngster is keen to make an impact, he insists he will keep his feet on the ground.[LNB] Stockley told the Echo: You've got to stay level-headed. That's one of the most important things not to get ahead of yourself because then your performances might suffer.[LNB] I know where I am, I know that everyone's looking after me here and I'm enjoying it.[LNB] I think I'll be playing a lot of youth team games but it's up to me to impress in those and reserve games because I want to be in the first team. It's up to me to prove to Eddie that I can do it.[LNB] Everyone has their own targets and everyone wants to get to where they are going. But, at the moment, I'm happy playing for the youth team, reserves or wherever Eddie wants me to play.[LNB] Stockley has progressed through the club's youth set-up, having been with Cherries for eight years.[LNB] He has seen the likes of Brett Pitman and Sam Vokes tread the path to the first team and he is hoping to emulate those fellow forwards. James Hayter was another product of the youth ranks.[LNB] Stockley added: I've been with the club since I was eight. I'm a supporter, I know almost everything about it and I live in Bournemouth. I just want to see us do well in League One this season.[LNB] I grew up watching Fletch so playing and training with him is a bit weird! I've seen Brett, Sam and James come through the ranks. It is strikers I tend to look at and we've had a good success rate with strikers at this club.[LNB]
