I actually think I'd be happiest seeing him at Melbourne Heart, so he's still in a team that the tards hate.

Melbourne’s United Man

By Tom Pollock

EXCLUSIVE: Not many people will be aware of a young Australian footballer called Jake Barker-Daish, but that’s about to change.

The 19-year-old has quite an impressive footballing CV considering his age and, at his current rate of development, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him gracing the football pitches of Europe.

Barker-Daish is a born and bred Melbournian. He played his junior football at Monash City and Box Hill before joining Altona Magic on a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship. However, after making just one Victorian Premier League appearance for Altona, Barker-Daish was off to Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport where he began to make a name for himself.

Under the stewardship of Jan Versleijen, Barker-Daish took his first steps towards professional football. Jake looks back upon this “strange” experience fondly although admits as a 15-year-old there were some tough moments.

“I was probably more excited at first and [being away from family and friends] didn’t bother me too much but leaving all my friends was difficult.

“Once I got to the AIS and after the first few months it was like ‘wow, I’m away now’, I had to do things like my own washing and whatnot.

Barker-Daish was part of one of the first groups of players that were introduced to the Dutch style of play the FFA was looking to implement.

“When I was there I was with Jan Versleijen and Gary van Egmond, we learnt so much about the game and the way they wanted to play ‘the Dutch way’. The tactical awareness that we gained at a young age made us a step ahead.”

After watching some impressive performances by Barker-Daish for the AIS’s National Youth League side, Gold Coast United’s coach Miron Blieberg decided to offer Jake his first professional contract. He initially joined the club’s youth team and work closely with Mike Mulvey who was eventually appointed as senior coaching following Blieberg’s controversial sacking.

“I was hoping to come back to Melbourne for my first deal as I was training with Melbourne Heart at the time. It was unfortunate that I didn’t end up there but with the Gold Coast I was just happy to get a deal.

“Mike Mulvey was a big help, not just for me but for all of the younger boys, he helped make the first steps into senior football easier, he was always there trying to help us out.”

Mulvey’s appointment opened the door into senior football for Barker-Daish who featured in the final seven games of Gold Coast’s final A-League campaign. Coincidently, he made his debut in front of family and friends when United took on Heart at AAMI Park.

“It was a good experience to have. When I went there I had the expectation to play as many games as possible but it probably didn’t go to plan at the start of the season because I was always back-and-forth with the Australian U/20s which meant I was a bit behind the eight-ball with the senior team.”

Making your debut in the senior team can never be considered easy, even more so when you consider all the drama that was being played out off the park involving United’s controversial owner Clive Palmer and the FFA.

“It was a strange thing, but I had good people around me and helping me out. It was sort of like you’re playing in the shop window during that period to try and get yourself another deal somewhere else.

“Although it was a sad time it was pretty important for all of us.”

Sure enough, Barker-Daish’s performances attracted the attention of other A-League clubs, and in April of this year he signed a deal with Adelaide United, a move which Jake believes is another step forward in his career.

“There’s some really good players in Dario [Vidosic] and Bruce [Djite] and in the midfield there’s Zenon Caravella who is someone I can learn off, he’s been really good to me since I’ve come in.

“The thing with Adelaide is there is a lot of experienced heads so the younger players are in good hands.”

It’s an exciting time for Barker-Daish with the 2012/13 A-League season creeping closer and plenty of Young Socceroos action to look forward to. Should he make the most of the opportunities presented to him then who knows, he may just realise a childhood dream and pull on the red shirt of Manchester United. He certainly has the attitude to match his talent.

JBD got a huge wrap from AU Asst mgr Micky Valkanis at the recent members meeting.

JBD got a huge wrap from AU Asst mgr Micky Valkanis at the recent members meeting.

JBD?? who? >.<

A "natural born Number 10". :)

JBD got a huge wrap from AU Asst mgr Micky Valkanis at the recent members meeting.

With Mullen gone can Bowles play RB as he's listed as a midfielder?

280,000 apparently for mullen and his wages go up to 400,000 from 100,000

they wanted boogard to but probably wont persure now they have mullen

apparently they have not even seen mullen play before all they new is he was our rb.

wat? :shock:

i know right.

That does not mean they have no seen video highlights just not seen him play live. I think lol well you would hope they at least saw video footage of him.

Edited by liverpoolfan2010: 2/7/2012 05:31:29 PM

Gonna be the first to say Im sorry for you guys re: Flores.

...Is it wrong that I'm ever so slightly happy about this?
:twisted: :oops:

...Is it wrong that I'm ever so slightly happy about this?
:twisted: :oops:

Same. I know how it feels in regards to being betrayed (Ange). MV will receive an almighty boo from me that's for sure.