AFC Totton
Photo: Credit Wigan Athletic F.C
WIGAN ATHLETIC'S ATTACKING MIDFIELDER Joe Adams has joined AFC Totton ahead of the traditionally busy football period across Christmas and the New Year.
The Guernsey-born playmaker grew up playing for his local team, Ormer FC, before moving to the mainland as a 16-year-old to join Eastleigh’s Development Academy. While there, he got his first taste of men’s football during a short stint with Wessex League club Horndean, before making 10 first team appearances in the Southern League Div.1 South for Sholing.
During his time with The Boatmen, Joe earned international recognition by being called-up to the England Schoolboys U18 squad and he was watched by several league clubs, leading to a trial with Barnsley. It was Wigan Athletic, however, who offered Joe an 18-month contract with the option of an extension, so he made the move to the DW Stadium last year.
He made his debut for The Latics’ U18 side in the LFA Professional Youth Cup early this year, and made a good impression by scoring in the 35th minute against Rochdale, even though his side ultimately lost the tie 1-3.
Generally deployed as an attacking midfielder, Joe, who is now 18 years-old, can also operate as a more conventional central midfielder. He says of his own qualities as a player:
“I like to be on the ball as much as possible, and always look to make a forward pass, if I’m in a position to do so. I enjoy playing a box-to-box role, and using my skill to get past players. I try to always be positive on the ball and play forwards. I’m more about creating goals for my teammates than scoring them myself, but I do get on the scoresheet now and then.”
Prompted to pick a well-known player that people would recognise to liken his style of play to, Joe considers nominating the former Tottenham player Delli Alli for a moment, before plumping for Chelsea’s German international Kai Havertz. He says his own single greatest achievement in football to date came as a schoolboy, when he scored five goals for a Guernsey Select XI against their arch rivals from Jersey.
So, what would success look like for Joe during this loan spell with The Stags?
“I want to play as much as possible and win every game. I hope to score a couple of goals and provide plenty of assists for the players around me.”
The fact that Joe is moving from a Championship club to one at Step 4 of non-league football may raise one or two eyebrows, but as AFC Totton’s CEO Steve Brookwell explains, Wigan Athletic did their due diligence before signing-off on the deal:
“That we’re able to attract players of Joe’s calibre from relatively big clubs like Wigan is a testament to the quality of the set-up we now have here at AFC Totton. First and foremost, the reputations of Jimmy Ball and Paul Masters throughout English football as experienced and extremely capable, talented managers and coaches means that we’re able to start conversations with clubs that they might not otherwise have entertained.
“Once those doors have been opened, the quality of the facilities we have here at the Snows Stadium, including arguably one of the best playing surfaces outside of the professional game, and our access to the Southampton FC training facilities at Staplewood as part of our agreement with Saints, are all strings to our bow. Add to that the quality of the medical and support team around the playing squad and management staff, as well as the quality of the team's performances on the pitch, we’re able to make a very strong case in favour of clubs allowing us to receive and develop their players, and to reassure them those players will be in very good hands while they’re with us.”
AFC Totton Manager Jimmy Ball said:
“Joe is a player who can come straight in and fit into our style of play. He’s got great energy, he’s young and enthusiastic, and he knows how to keep the ball, so he’ll slot right in among the players we already have. I’ve known about him for a while through Gregor Rioch and, previously, James Beattie in the Wigan Academy, and have been keeping tabs on him. Now is a good time to bring him to Totton to allow him to continue to develop as a player and help us through what – weather permitting – should be a busy but exciting period of football.
“He’ll be able to visit with his family while he’s here and play some football, too – so it’s a deal that works out well for all involved, and I’m happy that we’ve been able to get it sorted quickly.”
By Ben Rochey-Adams
