EFL players – six short stories: a club legend who returned home, friends reunited and grew up in Spurs | Football news

Ashley Barnes: Burnley’s join again was like returning home

You could see what Ashley Barnes meant, when he scored his 300 on Saturday. A performance for Burnley while they beat Luton 4-0 on Saturday.

It was his first goal since returning to the club in January, but it was a turning point that he never thought he would arrive after he went to Norwich after nine years at the Turf Moor.

When the call came and the opportunity to return to grown, he simply could not say no.

“My agent talked to me because we were looking for something in January the window, because my time in Norwich was nearing its end,” Barnes remembers.

“[The manager] He made it clear that his plan was to become young, so it was one of them with a scenario where we were open to see what it was all about.

“He had to work for every party, and luckily this jumped. My agent talked to me and told Alan [Pace, Burnley owner] He wanted to call me. We talked and felt like I was going home. I had to choose here. “

Zack Nelson and Reuelll Walters: Friends reunited in Luton

When Reuelll Walters joined Luton Town in the summer from Arsenal, he reunited with an old friend in Zack Nelson.

Walters, 20 and Nelson, 19, grew up together at Tottenham Academy, but their trips parted in 2019.

“That’s a little moment for us,” Walters says. “Now he’s coming back, with the trips we were both on, it was quite surreal.”

Nelson adds, “Especially knowing what we both went through when we were younger.

“We both had similar experiences and we knew each other for so long. It helps our connection a little better, because we know what they are in.

“We are pretty competitive in training. We want to play against each other to see who goes out to the top. But that makes both of us better.”

But who goes out on top?

“I’d love to come back!” Smile Nelson. But Walters shakes his head, appropriate, “Don’t lie.”

Jerry Yates: playing with the world’s best goalie? Was always the top

From Rotherham to Swindon and from Carlisle to South Wales, Jerry Yates saw it all during his career in the football league.

There was time, however, when Yates found his feet with the miller that he shared the locker room with a goalkeeper who was recently called the world’s world’s best, Emie Martinez. It was in the beginnings of the Yates World Cup winner that the potential of the shooter saw.

“He came on loan to Rotherham. I remember it used to be out after hours after training,” Yates remembers.

“He worked on his shot, his everything. He was always a good shot anyway, but he used to literally try things after training, side winds and everything. I didn’t realize that he would [be the best]to be honest. I don’t think you never understand if anyone will continue and be so good.

“Definitely at the time, he wasn’t very close to anyone at the time. I think he just lowered his head and tried to expect it somehow. So, you never expect it. But at the time, in the end you look and see, he was a great guard. He always practiced his craft.

“He was always a great shooter. He literally stayed for hours and hours after training, literally continuing to practice. He was superbly looking back.”
Will being

Alfie Kilgour: I felt like I lost the purpose during an injury

It was one of the most difficult things that could happen to any player.

Alfie Kilgour began the season well at Mansfield, but in his fourth game 2023/24. He cracked his Achilles tendon. This has led to 14 months and huge physical and mental challenges.

“It was difficult and exhausting,” Kilgour thought. “It was a real grinding. I felt like I lost the purpose to some extent.

“But ultimately, I just had to focus on my rehab and remember that it was because of one thing: to get back.

“Many players are going through it. I wasn’t first and I certainly won’t be the last. But 14 months I’m not a professional club football player who also pays your salary, it was difficult.

“In the end, I’m a competitor and that’s what I want to do. Don’t be sitting at home, not able to walk, do nothing or even get up the stairs for months.”

Smith: I wouldn’t want to read the situation in any club

Sam Smith illuminated why he left Reading and joined the Sky Beth League One by the Wrexham rival in the transfer window in January.

The striker-Koji turned 27 on Saturday-he wrote a three-and-a-half-year contract at Stok Cae Ras after joining the undiscovered compensation, scored 27 goals in 63 games for Royals since the beginning of last season. That’s where he returns with his new club on Tuesday night.

“With the situation in Reading, we didn’t know who would go, who was staying, but we knew that the club needed to sell in order for the money to enter and that the bills were paid,” Smith says. “Everyone was a little ready to leave, but no one knew what was going on.

“Since I am honest, I would not want the situation for any football club, because for all this it makes the environment uncomfortable. It was difficult and a lot of things were happening that people didn’t really hear or see, but credit for all players, staff and fans – everyone got stuck together.

“We were able to get into the play-off with a young, strong, hungry team that everyone bought in a philosophy where the manager wanted to play. I couldn’t speak enough of anyone and fans who held the team during a difficult period.”
Dan Long

George Abbott: Growing up in Spurs was “amazing”

George Abbott is currently enjoying his first season in senior football on loan at Notts County, but upbringing is in Tottenham to thank him for helping him to start his career.

The midfielder, which is now 19 years old, was at the Spurs Academy of just seven years. He made his debut for the club on the last day of the 2022/23 season, and the captain is U21 side to last year’s Premier League 2 title.

“It was amazing,” Abbott says. “The training center is funny, and no matter what age group you are in the same area as everyone else.

“You feel a little spoiled when you move away from it, because you don’t realize how good it was or what you had at the time.

“Growing up was all you could ever ask for. Objects, food, coaching staff.

“I trained a little when I was 17, 18 with the first team. And then in recent times I was with all of them in this pre -season. Then I felt a little more like I was part of the team.”

EFL Node on Sky Sports+ on Tuesday night

(All 7.45 hours begins if not specified)

• CH: Burnley Vs West Brom, Cardiff Vs Luton, Derby Vs Coventry, Middlesbrough vs QPR, Norwich Vs SHAFF WED, SUNDERLAND VS PRESTON, Sheff Utd VS Bristol City (20:00 – Also on Sky Sports Football)
• L1: Birmingham vs Stevenage, Bristol Rovers vs Bolton, Crawley vs Charlton, Exeter Vs Mansfield, Reading Vs Wrexham (20:00)
• L2: Colchester vs Port Vale, Grimsby Vs Rounds, Salford Vs Chesterfield