Wycombe Wanderers new signing Ryan Cole backed to make the step up by Newmarket Town manager Michael Shinn

Newmarket Town manager Michael Shinn always knew that Ryan Cole was destined for bigger things.

After two trial stints and a friendly appearance, the teenager’s dream move to the professional ranks with League One side Wycombe Wanderers was confirmed last week.

And it was Jockeys boss Shinn that gave Cole his first taste of senior football at the age of just 16.

“It was evident early on when he was playing in our EJA sides that he could score all types of goals,” said Shinn.

“There were times at that age when he’d stay on the ball a little bit too long and other people kept saying that he needed to pass more, but no disrespect to anyone, sometimes when you’re at that level as a footballer you see things that others don’t on the pitch.

“He could travel with the ball, he’d take the ball in tight situations and he did that straight away when he came into the first team – even at 16.

“He did really well in games straight away and there was things he’d do in training that had me and the other players thinking that the kid really had something.”

Cole was offered the chance to move one step up the non-league pyramid last term, but Shinn believed that a ‘much bigger move’ was in the offing.

He took his manager’s advice, stayed with Newmarket and played a key role in their promotion before catching the eye at Wycombe.

“Last season he was given the chance to join a team in the league that we’re in now,” added Shinn.

“We spoke about it and I said to him at the time that I’d back whatever he decided, but I also told him that I thought he’d have a much bigger move in him.

“He trusted us, he stuck at it and was brilliant for us last season. It’s great to see him get his rewards – he deserves it.”

While Cole showed his ability almost instantly in Newmarket’s first-team set-up, he now has to prove himself all over again – and on a much larger scale.

It will be tough, but Shinn has backed the left-footed midfielder to make the most of the opportunity.

“It’s going to be hard. He’s going from training once a week and playing with no real pressure on him to a lad that’s going to be judged within his first couple of training sessions,” said Shinn.

“It’s a different world for Ryan and his life will have to become about football 24/7 because he’s now in and around people who are just like that.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll do that and if he does I think he’ll take off. He’s put in a lot of work to get to this point and now he’s got a great opportunity, but the hard work starts now.

“He’s got the talent to play in two or three positions and that will help. He’ll need a manager that trusts him and I’m sure he’ll have that.”

Newmarket, who started life without Cole by winning 3-0 against Redbridge on New Year’s Day, are due to take on Sporting Bengal United tonight (7.45pm).

• For an interview with Ryan Cole, see www.suffolknews.co.uk/sport tomorrow from 6am.