Blues kid James makes history but dad misses it!
REECE JAMES’S dad missed his son’s record-breaking moment for Chelsea on Tuesday night because he was busy coaching Hanworth Villa’s Under 18s to a famous FA Youth Cup win over Gillingham. The joy was writ large on 19-year-old Reece’s face as he became the youngest Chelsea player to score in the Champions League with their crucial fourth goal in the 4-4 draw with Ajax. However, dad Nigel was at Priestfield Stadium, overseeing a 3-2 win for Hanworth. ‘There was about 10 minutes to go in our game and Gillingham were pushing for an equaliser when there was a large cheer in the stands,’ Nigel told Sportsmail. ‘A load of our supporters were shouting to me that Reece had scored. I was so proud, but I had to hold my concentration until the end. Thankfully, the boys held on and I left the other coaches in the dressing room to celebrate, while one of the supporters allowed me to watch the end of Chelsea’s game on their iPhone. ‘You could see what it meant to Reece. He’s been at Chelsea since he was six and when you’ve been with a club that long it’s like family. A lot of passion came out in that celebration. I spoke to him on the phone after I’d left the ground and he was absolutely over the moon.’ Nigel was a player with Luton and Aldershot before forging a reputation as an accomplished coach and scout, while Reece’s elder brother Joshua was at Fulham and Reading, while 18-year-old sister Lauren is starring for Manchester United. ‘I’ve tried to keep them all grounded over the years,’ said Nigel. ‘I’ve always been honest with what I thought about them, as it’s important with all young players to keep it real. Reece was disappointed that I missed his last midweek game against Manchester United as we were playing Dover Athletic in the qualifying round and won 5-0. ‘When the draw was made for us to play Gillingham, I had to tell him I’d miss Ajax, too. I don’t think he was too happy but he understood. ‘It’s been frustrating for him lately, not getting as many minutes as he’d like, but as I say to him, whether you are playing 90 minutes or one, be thankful you have that opportunity, make sure you have an influence on the game. ‘He played 46 games at Wigan last year. He trained every week and knew he’d play at the weekend if he trained well. At Chelsea, that’s not so certain — it’s challenging but it’s part of his development. Not many 19-year-olds will have this experience. ‘The club knows he is a talent, so he has to have patience, keep that work ethic.’ Those words will be all too familiar to the teenagers under Nigel’s tutelage at Combined Counties League side Hanworth. ‘We have a lot of bright kids, some doing their A-levels or going to college, so they can’t always make both sessions. ‘But I underline to them the importance of having the right attitude if they want to
progress,’ including Crystal he said. Palace, Clubs Bournemouth and Charlton were represented in the stands at Priestfield and Nigel added: ‘I know what scouts look for, so I tell the kids how important every little detail is: how they train, warm up, their work ethic, how they conduct themselves or celebrate. Everything counts.’ Chelsea are also reaping the benefits of that mantra.