Wakefield AFC are delighted to announce that former Doncaster Rovers Academy player, Owen Kirman, has joined the club.
The Wakefield-born 16-year-old has impressed in training and scored a goal on his debut for the Reserves at the end of last month. Owen will also go on to our Education Development Pathway once he has completed his GCSE’s and will attend Wakefield College from September.
Owen’s mum, Kelly, added: “Owen originally lived on Portobello where he actually didn’t play much football as there weren’t many opportunities to do so despite clearly being very talented. He could kick a ball before he could walk. However, in November 2011 we relocated to Hemsworth. February the following year he was given the opportunity to play for Hemsworth Terriers Football Club.
He played there for the rest of the season and alongside attending Doncaster Rovers Development Centre after impressing in a trial game against Sheffield Wednesday.
That October he was selected to play against the Doncaster Rovers Academy in their yearly development vs academy game. A game in which, despite the development team getting beat badly, Owen was a shining light and scored the only goal for his team. He was immediately asked to play with the academy for the rest of the season leaving Hemsworth Terriers.
He played for Doncaster for the next 8 years playing above his age gaining once in a lifetime experiences such as playing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and playing against a Liverpool side an age above on the Keepmoat (Owen is a big Liverpool fan). He played regularly against great clubs with great facilities such as Sunderland, Leeds Utd, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday to name a few.
Owen was rewarded for his dedication and hard work by winning the National League Youth Cup with his Doncaster Rovers team playing many positions, beating all comers and even scoring in the final.
After this, it was decided he would go no further with Doncaster and we saw an opportunity where he could gain an education while still doing the thing he loves with Wakefield AFC. After attending a trial, he was spoken to by the 1st team manager who was impressed with him and offered to look at him in the first team. He attended training and it was decided he would sign with Wakefield once he turned 16. Owen sees it as a good level to step up to as it maintains a high standard where he can strive to better himself and develop his football.
Both me and his Dad are extremely proud of him and are looking forward to him continuing to get better and seeing where this next step takes him and, with us both being from Wakefield, it’s a great feeling knowing our son will be representing the club as a reward for all his hard work.”
Head Coach Chris Turner says: “Owen has been well coached coming through the academy at Doncaster Rovers. He’s a raw talent with pace and an excellent left foot. I can see him breaking into the 1st team, as he also has a great attitude and I am looking forward to working with him more. It’s also great he’s a local lad and I would encourage any other local lads who think they are good enough and have the right attitude to get in touch also.”
Owen will be making an appearance in today’s fixture against St Josephs Rockware of Worksop.