Grounded Joel coming of age

SAFE HANDS . . . Joel Coleman has come a long way in a short space of time since being given the first-team goalkeeper’s jersey.

JOEL Coleman has been the star of Athletic’s faltering campaign in recent weeks.

The youngest regular goalkeeper in the league at 19, and the best number one to emerge from Athletic’s youth system in years, Coleman believes he is getting stronger and better with every game.

On Sunday the Coleman family takes centre stage as not only Joel but also his young cousin Robin (4) walk out as player and mascot at SportsDirect.com Park.

The final-day Peterborough clash will mark the 10th straight game Coleman has started following his debut in the 3-1 home defeat to MK Dons after Jake Kean went off injured.

Mike Coleman — who has driven to and from training for years from the family base in Walkden is justifiably proud of his grandson’s achievements.

Talk of his eventual progression up the divisions hasn’t turned his head: “I am made up for Joel,” Mike said. “From day one as a young lad, he always wanted to be a professional. He never missed a training session even when he was ill — and it used to get him into trouble when he couldn’t perform as well as usual because of it.

“He is truly dedicated and really wants it. But most importantly, he is a nice lad. There are no airs and graces about him.”

Coleman, who has a year left on his contract, says he feels at ease in the Athletic side partly because of sitting on the bench as a youth team player last term.

“I don’t really get nervous, he said. “I had been around the first team for quite a while last year. It gave me a good understanding what I was going into and what these games mean.

“It is not just three points you are playing for; it’s your family, for the fans and for your manager.

“I thrive on the pressure.”

Joel was at the ground this week to watch his training-mate Paul Tyson put on a terrific display as the under-18s lifted the Youth Alliance Cup.

He feels that his effort was so good on the big night that it may inspire the club to have a rethink over whether to release a player whose path, ironically, appears blocked by Coleman himself.



twitter: @Matt_Chambers_