Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Stockley speechless over five-year deal
JAYDEN Stockley walked into Dean Court expecting a dressing down about his school work and walked out with a five-year contract. The Poole-born 16-year-old completed a whirlwind six weeks when he put pen to paper on his first professional deal in front of 6,000 Cherries fans on Saturday. But Stockley, who burst on to the scene when he was named among Eddie Howes substitutes for the clash against Burton Albion on September 26, admitted he knew nothing about the offer preparing himself instead for a telling off. I was called in on Wednesday night, recalled the Lytchett Minster School pupil. Eddie Howe arranged a meeting and Jason (Tindall) phoned me. I had no clue what it was about until I got there, but I thought it would be about my school work and they would be telling me to work harder. Its been hard to concentrate with everything going on, but Im still trying hard. Then Eddie said hed like me to sign a five-year contract. I was speechless. Its everything Ive worked for and it was the best day of my life. I had no idea it was going to happen and it was the last thing that came into my head. Stockley, who stands at 6ft 3ins, made his first-team debut at Northampton Town in the Johnstones Paint Trophy, before making his league bow a week later at home to Chesterfield. The teenagers rapid rise to the first-team ranks is believed to have alerted Premier League scouts, with representatives from Birmingham, Wolves and Burnley understood to have run the rule over the prospect. Stockley added: Eddie and Jason didnt go into detail as to the reasons for offering me the deal, but I think they are really looking to the future now and there are a lot of clubs looking to prise young players away. I think they see me as a player who can make an impact on the clubs future. A lot of it has just been talk that I have heard, but I do know someone from the England under-16s has been watching. I think there were some Premier League clubs looking as well, but I dont know which ones other than what I have read. Its an honour to be linked with clubs at that level and it will make me raise my game. But I dont want to go anywhere because Im at Bournemouth. Stockley was forced to watch close friend and fellow youth team star George Webb walk out the Dean Court exit door last week, while winger Carl Preston, now with Poole Town, was released despite impressing former boss Jimmy Quinn enough to earn first-team honours. After I signed the deal, I woke up the next morning and suddenly thought My future is planned out now, said Stockley Hopefully nothing bad will happen, but Im getting to grips with the fact I will be a professional footballer for the next five years at least. Its everything I dreamed of and I want to make sure I reach my potential because there are so many other teenagers who would want to be where I am now. Ive always tried to think positively, but its sad to see people like Webby go. Hes one of my best friends, but it makes you want to work even harder. I dont want to be in that situation and I want to keep striving to be the best I can. I almost feel like a first-team player already, though. Even on the trip to Northampton, which isnt that far, the lads were constantly joking on the coach. Warren Cummings was at it for over two hours! But they all made me feel really comfortable. Its still a privilege to be involved because I still see myself as a youth team and under-16 player. But when I am involved, I just want to gain something from every performance and build on it. If I get the chance, Ill do my best to help us stay top of the league. Stockley, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, could play a part when Joe Roachs youth team travel to old rivals Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Youth Cup tonight (7pm). In a repeat of a tie Rovers won last year, Roachs side will be out for revenge at the Memorial Stadium. Cherries under-18s also lost 4-2 at the hands of Rovers in their last league clash.