New recruit sums up what academy stands for
Ten-year-old Jayden Garner’s performance at Wembley in May helped convince AFC Wimbledon’s academy coaches that he could be a star of the future.
Jayden was an integral part of the victorious Corpus Christi team who represented AFC Wimbledon with distinction by winning the League 2 Kids Cup Final at the famous stadium before the play-off final.
And that was just the start for Jayden as he earned a six-week trial with the academy that resulted in him being signed up on Friday.
Jayden said: “After I represented AFC Wimbledon at Wembley, I attended trials at the club to see if I could get in. It went well and so I’ve signed for Wimbledon – it’s a very friendly club. We won the Kids Cup and the London Youth Games with Corpus Christi, but I just want to get better at football and be the best that I can be.”
Rob Tuvey, Lead Foundation Phase Coach at the AFC Wimbledon Academy, said: “Jayden’s attitude when he was on trial was absolutely brilliant. Now that Jayden has signed we can work with him on Tuesdays and Thursdays at training to help him improve and he will also be playing in matches for the Under-11s on Sundays. Jayden has shown the commitment and passion that the AFC Wimbledon Academy stands for and hopefully one day we will see him out there in a Wimbledon shirt.”
Jayden’s Corpus Christi School came through several rounds, including the AFC Wimbledon Kids Cup, hosted by the club’s Community Football Scheme, to earn a final place at Wembley.
Jayden (right) is pictured with Rob and “Home Grown Haydon” – the academy mascot – at the Cherry Red Records Stadium after signing for the Dons.