A TEENAGE Ballymena footballer is hoping to land a dream cross-channel move in the new year. Jamie Davidson, who plays for Ballymena United Reserves, is currently awaiting confirmation of a date for a a trial, with a posse of English clubs tracking the winger. Barclays Premiership sides Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City have expressed an interest in seeing Jamie at first hand, as have Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion. âThere are people working on that side of things and it will be a question of choosing which is the best option for me,â Jamie told Times Sport. The 18-year-old has caught the eye of cross-channel scouts with his performances for his club and also in recent trials for the Northern Ireland under-18 team. Jamie, whose father Roy is a former Ballymena United player and who is also well-known in local junior football circles, has been on the fringes of Unitedâs first team and recently made his debut against Glenavon, in one of previous United boss Roy Walkerâs last games in charge. Jamie, from Grove Road in the town, already holds a unique place in the clubâs history books by becoming the first player to come through the Showgrounds clubâs youth ranks from the age of SIX years old to play in the first team. âThere have obviously been players like Aaron Stewart and Chris Rodgers who have come through the Youth Academy but when they started, the youngest team was under-12,â Ballymena United Youth Academyâs Head Coach Stanley Galbraith told Times Sport. âJamie is a bit diffeent in that he came through the mini soccer which we used to have in Cullybackey High School on a Tuesday night, so heâs been with us since the age of six. âHeâs a smashing kid with a left foot to die for and itâs been great to watch his development as a footballer over the years,â added Stanley. His sentiments were echoed by United reserve team manager Clifford Adams, who believes Jamieâs development is progressing well. âJamie had a couple of setbacks early on in the season with a couple of suspensions but he has really come into his own in the last three months. âHeâs always the first boy to training and the last one off the pitch at the end - he just loves football. âHeâs our top scorer this season and the goals that other players have scored, heâs been involved in setting up a good number of them,â added Cliffy. http://www.ballymenatimes.com/sport/football/cross_channel_clubs_tracking_teenager_jamie_1_3393249
