Premier League AFC Bournemouth extend trial for Needham Market young midfielder Charlie Wood following display in Ipswich Town Under-18s victory
Needham Market chairman Keith Nunn and manager Tom Rothery have both given their thoughts on midfielder Charlie Wood going on trial at Premier League AFC Bournemouth - revealing he is staying with the Cherries for a second week.
The virtually six-foot (182cm) 16-year-old only burst onto the first-team scene at Bloomfields in the past month, but has already had a host of interested suitors, including what is said to be multiple Premier League clubs.
The Colchester-based player has featured in the Vanarama National League North for the relegation-threatened Marketmen down the right-hand side across his four appearances so far, which includes one start and one goal, but Rothery revealed that is not his natural position.
“No, he’s a central midfield player,” he told SuffolkNews.
“I played him right to ease him in, as it’s slightly less physical, and get him a little more time (at the level).”
Despite being a first-year in the club’s full-time academy, Wood has been playing regular men’s football this season, with 20 appearances to his name, including scoring three goals, for Needham Market Reserves in their battle to survive in the Step 6 Thurlow Nunn League First Division North.
Of the trial at Bournemouth, which saw him play in the Cherries’ 6-0 home win in Professional Development League Two South at Canford Park Arena on Saturday morning against Ipswich Town, another club said to be interested in him, Rothery said: “It is a bit of a strange one as he’s been in the academy this season and playing for the reserves.
“I promoted him for that Brackley game on February 4 (2-1, A) as we were short of numbers.
“It was then the Oxford game we were made aware that a Charlton scout was watching him.
“We then heard Bournemouth had taken him on trial but I have personally not had any contact with Bournemouth.”
Needham’s 4-0 home win against Oxford City on February 15 was the fourth straight game he had been involved in for Rothery’s side. Wood came off the bench in the 87th minute before scoring his first first-team goal - having had one controversially ruled out against Hereford in the previous game - ahead of the trial with Bournemouth emerging.
Chairman Nunn said: “I was standing next to the ex-Maldon (& Tiptree) manager (Dave Hussey) who's now scouting for Charlton, I think he said, at the Oxford game.
“He was asking me about Charlie, and obviously lots of clubs came in for him, including Premier League clubs.
“He's been there over a week now.”
He added: “The thing is, at age 16, pro clubs are prepared to take a punt and look at somebody and there’s not a lot you can do about it.
“He’s got his own agent and is looking to go higher. And we wouldn't stand in his way anyway.
“He’s a first year in our academy and we wish him well.
“If he was about for Wednesday night (Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final against Felixstowe & Walton United at Ipswich Wanderers FC) he’d likely have played because we’re going to be a bit short.”
But Wood will still be looking to impress on the south coast, which he revealed to Rothery in a phone call yesterday.
“He has got on quite well. I spoke to him on Sunday (yesterday) and he said it has gone well and they were happy for him to stay for another week,” said Rothery.
“He’s going to be training with the reserves/under-23s this week and then they’ve got another under-18s game lined up for him.
“He was supposed to play against Ipswich on Tuesday, I believe, but that was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, then he played on Saturday (against them) as they won 6-0.”
He added: “He is only 16, he has shown he is a good player but, to be honest, it seems quite quick.
“I’ve only had a look at him over the past three weeks around our team but he had shown some promising signs.
“If I’m trying to take my Needham hat off and put my professional one on, he has got potential and some physical attributes with his size that they might think they can mould into what they want out of him.
“He is a nice lad, bizarrely he lives near where I grew up in Colchester.”
Meanwhile, Needham go into Wednesday’s county cup semi-final off the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 draw up at National League North leaders Chester on Saturday.
AFC Flyde loanee Taelor O’Kane, making his debut for the Seals, converted a flicked on free kick from close range four minutes for the opener.
But Needham drew level in the 21st minute when Teddy Collis’ first effort, following a Tevan Allen corner, forced a save before the young striker gobbled up the rebound.
The Marketmen were able to successfully hold the hosts at bay in the second half, following some good saves from goalkeeper Marcus Garnham.
Rothery said: “It is a good point against top of the league, though being greedy in the position we are we always want more.
“On chances they would feel they should have won the game.
“It adds a bit more confidence and belief to our players.”
