Break proves to be lucky for Rhyl star Reed
Friday, September 26, 2008
Article summary
Scoring for fun in his first season at Rhyl FC, Jamie Reed credits a broken ankle suffered last season for making him "realise that I didn't want to be a normal person, I really wanted to make something of my career".
Article top media content
Article body
Turning point
Reed had just returned to Wrexham AFC after a spell on loan at Aberystwyth Town FC when he broke his ankle. Reflecting on that disappointment he told uefa.com: "It was a bit of a wake-up call because it made me realise that I didn't want to be a normal person, I really wanted to make something of my career. It hit home to me how vulnerable you can be and just at that time there were a few television programmes about players, like Joe Parkinson of Everton [FC], who had been forced to give up early because of injury. It made me change my mentality and now things are going great."
Great start
With six goals in five league starts, the 21-year-old has helped carry Rhyl to the top with reigning champions Llanelli AFC and former powerhouses The New Saints FC playing catch-up. Before last weekend's 2-2 draw with Neath Athletic AFC, they boasted a 100 per cent record from their first five games, their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
Statement of intent
Under new manager Alan Bickerstaff, the north Wales club are bidding to recapture the title they last won in 2003/04 and have demonstrated their commitment with a host of new signings, including former Welsh international Neil Roberts, another recruit from Wrexham. The 5-1 defeat of Llanelli in their third league outing of the season was a clear statement of intent.
Professional game
"From the day I first stepped into the club I could sense the ambition to push on and win trophies and that was a big factor in my agreeing to sign," added Reed. "I want to get some winners' medals on my CV. There is a great team spirit here, everybody is enjoying themselves and I just hope the results continue so it stays that way. From a personal point of view I could not ask for anything more at the moment. It was disappointing not to be given more of a chance with Wrexham but it hasn't affected my determination to return to the professional game at some stage. That might even involve going abroad to play but at the moment I could not ask for it to be going better than it is for me at Rhyl."