Jack Baldwin's success story is the proudest day of my managerial career, says Justin Luchford

FORMER Faversham Town boss Justin Luchford has today spoken about his pride after revealing that League One club Hartlepool United have signed defender Jack Baldwin, 18, on a two-year contract, from his former club after a successful trial in the North East, writes Stephen McCartney.

Luchford, who is now the manager of Ryman Premier League side Horsham, broke the good news by text message this lunchtime.

“Obviously, I’m not at Faversham anymore, but it’s probably one of the proudest days of my managerial career,” said Luchford.

“Having a lad last year come through the reserves and come up to the first team and do what he did, when I first met the lad he had something special.

“It’s not just about his ability, but it’s about his demeanour.  The way he acts and the way he presents himself, he’s one of the nicest kids you’d ever wish to meet.  He’s got a cracking family, his mum and dad have really looked after him and supported him through everything.

“It’s a real success story.  I know he’s very proud, I know his parents are proud.  I’m proud and I’m sure all his (Faversham) team mates from last year will be proud as well.”

Luchford paid tribute to the man who gave the Barking, Essex based Baldwin his footballing break.

“I think we have to also pay tribute to Bob Reardon, the reserve team manager at Faversham,” said Luchford.

“Bob was one of the ones who took him down to Chatham under 18’s a couple of years ago and brought him with him when he came to Faversham.

“I think Bob deserves a lot of credit in this as well.  People get overlooked when there is a success story and Bob played his part, a very big part in Jack’s life and I’m sure he’ll be very proud when he finds about it as well.”

Luchford approached Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler to make him aware about Baldwin’s potential and the former Dover Athletic boss took him on trial at the League Two club, before the teenager went up to the North East for a successful trial at Hartlepool.

“I just think it’s fantastic,” said Luchford.  “We spoke in the summer both Jack and I and I had a word with Hessy at Gillingham and we got him down there.  I took him down to see Hessy.  He knew he was going to Hartlepool, which was booked in, which was great and managed to get him two weeks’ work with Hessy down there and he thoroughly enjoyed it, played well and Hessy was impressed with him as you know.

“Jack’s gone up to Hartlepool and they realise what a player and what potential he’s got and to be given the opportunity that Hartlepool have given him is just fantastic.

“It shows there are success stories out there and if you do work hard it’s not about the money or jumping from club to club.  All this lad has done is get his head down and work hard and he did whatever you asked of him.

“I really, really, really hope this lad goes on and does great things because he’s an absolute diamond.  I cannot speak highly enough of the lad and I wish him all the best for the future.  He’s just a fantastic lad.”

Baldwin follows a line of semi-professional footballers, who either live or play for Kent non-league football clubs, who have made it.

The most successful is another defender, Chris Smalling, who left Maidstone United to sign for Fulham and now plays for Premier League giants Manchester United.

Luchford added: “It’s a big move, it’s a life changing move for him.  I think players need that.  It’s no different for him going to university really. If he was going to university in Durham no one would speak anything of it.

“He’s got a crack at being a pro footballer. He’s just a really nice lad.  There’s no other word for it.  He’s a great footballer, there’s no doubt about that and Jack knows himself he’s got so much more to give as well.  He’s not the finished article by a long shot but he’s certainly got every attribute you would wish for a footballer.

“To have the level headiness and the professionalism and is a generally good guy is very rare.  It’s very rare to find anyone like that.  I’ve not come across it yet.  You come across great footballers all the time that might not have a great attitude and are pushed from club to club, have a rough upbringing.  You get these ones and they’re freaks in a way.

“They’re players you don’t know if they’re out there and they are.  Another one at Faversham we had is Ashley Brown.  He’s very, very similar to Jack.  He works hard, he gets his head down and he’s been a revelation and we got him a few years’ ago from park football.

“These guys are out there.  To see one of them go through and go all the way – I’m sure he’s probably not straight into the starting eleven against MK Dons away on 6^th August – but I’m sure he’ll work damn hard to push the manager into putting him in his thoughts.

“I’ve spoken to Jack every single day near enough through the summer and we’ve talked about things.  He’s told me his thoughts and I bounce things off him and I’ve tried to look after him as much as I can but nothing fazes him.  He’s just enjoyed every moment.  He thought through the summer if he got three weeks of pro training out of this he’ll go into the season being a lot fitter and a lot more experienced.

“Now all of a sudden he’s signing a two-year contract in League One, living the dream.  I’ve just spoken to him now and I said to him just give me a call when things settle down in the next couple of days and talk me through the details. 

“Obviously I just can’t speak highly of the lad and I just wanted to put something out there to show these things can happen and any young lads who are out there and working hard this is a perfect opportunity of what can be achieved if you work hard and you listen (to your coaching staff),

“I’m sure Bob Reardon will be proud as punch when he finds out as he’s had him for a long time.”

Ryman League Division One South side Faversham, now managed by Ray Turner, continue their pre-season preparations tomorrow with a visit from last season’s Kent League runners-up and Kent League Cup winners, Herne Bay.

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk  

Faversham Town  v  Herne Bay
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 23^rd July 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND