Aidan’s patience pays off
24 Mar 10 by Andrew Prentice
Former Wakehurst Tigers junior Aidan D'Arcy has signed a two-year deal with Huddersfield Town.
AIDAN D’Arcy is living proof that first impressions last.
The Wakehurst Tigers junior was on a development tour across the United Kingdom in 2007 with Manly United when he caught the attention of scouts at Huddersfield Town FC.
When his father Peter moved to the old Dart for work last year, the 17-year-old spotted an opening at the Yorkshire club.
After teeing up further trials, he backed himself, training with the academy squad for almost five months with no guarantees.
The left-sided player, who is equally comfortable as a defender or in the midfield, was rewarded last week with a two-year deal following some consistent performances in the Terriers’ under-18 squad late last year.
Huddersfield Town academy manager Graham Mitchell believes he will be a handy acquisition.
“Aidan has been with us for a while now, signing him has been a drawn-out process,” he said on the club’s website.
“When we got our hands on his international clearance we went ahead and finished the formalities.
“We have given him an opportunity to become a professional footballer in our senior squad, if he is good enough.
“It is a very exciting position to be in.”
Nick Tomaino, who oversees Manly United’s youth league, is delighted to see Aidan following in the footsteps of former teammate Matt Fletcher, who is on the books of Premier League club Sunderland.
“Aidan was at the club from a very young age. He was picked in our (under-10) development squad and only left when his family moved to England,” he said.
“We are very happy to hear he has taken his football to the next level, he was always capable.
“Aidan is a keen student of the game and was keen to work on the little things in his own time.
“His left foot is sound and he is good in the air, he will give them a few options.
“We wish him all the best.”
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/aidan-s-patience-pays/