Dylan Youmbi on his Bantams release - and Bobby Pointon

Bobby Pointon relished the Valley Parade stage when his opportunity came to establish himself as a potential City star of the future.

The local lad made good was a real success story in an otherwise unconvincing campaign for his hometown club.

But it was very different for his two academy teammates who also signed pro this time last year.

Like Pointon, Dylan Youmbi and Harvey Rowe had travelled with high hopes for City’s preseason training camp in Spain as they mingled with the more established names in the squad.

Dylan Youmbi nets in pre-season against Bradford (Park Avenue) (Image: Thomas Gadd)

But while Pointon went on to make the step-up to League Two, Youmbi and Rowe never got the call - and both were among the players to be released when the club published their retained list.

Youmbi was sent on loan to Clayton Donaldson's Farsley in the National League North in November and played 16 times in a three-month stay, starting nine games.

He then got recalled by City to go back out and join Scunthorpe, swapping 17th in the table for second and the club with the biggest target on their back in the sixth tier.

But after playing 23 minutes off the bench on his debut at Scarborough, the 20-year-old did not kick another ball.

He was not even named in the Iron squad for the last 12 games of a promotion push that would end in penalties agony in the play-offs against Boston – and the departure of manager Jimmy Dean.

“It didn’t go well at Scunthorpe,” admitted Youmbi. “Farsley guaranteed me game time but although Scunthorpe was a step-up, I didn’t play.

“Players got back fit and, when I signed, four other attackers came as well, who were all older. But that’s football I guess.”

They say there are more downs than ups in football and Youmbi believes he has grown as a player – adding more physicality to his game - and a person from a challenging year.

“I wouldn’t say I was scared at the start. But it was a new environment that I wasn’t used to being involved with the first team.

“But I was getting better through preseason and fitter.

“Sometimes you get your chance, sometimes you don’t.

Dylan Youmbi, Bobby Pointon and Harvey Rowe last year (Image: Bradford City)

“We were training well, in our opinion, but Bradford had to win games and it made it difficult. That’s just how first-team football is.

“I’ve learned a lot in life as well.

“At Farsley, I was enjoying it and then you come back down again with not playing for Scunthorpe. But that can happen in football.

“Playing at Farsley helped me a lot understanding the game. It makes sense why they choose more experienced players because they are more trusted with what they need to do.

“It definitely pumped me up in the gym and playing against men. Even watching other attackers and how they use their body has helped.

“You play a bit of mind games with defenders – but they are experienced as well and know what they’re doing.

“It’s a lot different to the academy football and a big jump. I wouldn’t say it’s not pretty but it’s more direct and you’ve got to use your physicality.”

Pointon, who is nine days younger, featured in 32 games for City – and scored four goals including a couple of belters to sign off a memorable debut campaign.

Youmbi always knew that was in his locker and is delighted for him.

“I was happy because I’ve known Bob for a while now. I’ve always known he’s a very good player.

“It’s good for him to get his chance. At least one of us did and obviously he’s taken it and done very well.

“I wasn’t surprised. I always knew that if Bob gets the chance he’d do well.

“He doesn’t feel the pressure. He’s obviously very good and just needs to showcase it and that’s what he’s done.

“He’s one of my friends in football and in life so I’m really happy for him.”

Youmbi, meanwhile, is ready to start again with the conviction that he can also crack it in league football one day.

Bobby Pointon made 32 appearances in his breakthrough year (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“I back myself 100 per cent but it’s not about talking,” he added. “I want to show that on the pitch.

“I’m waiting to see what happens with my agent.

“Then once I sign for a club, it’s just tunnel vision, get the goals I needed to score last year and play as many minutes as I can.

“I did miss out quite a lot towards the end. My season stopped, started and then stopped for ages.

“It wasn’t a big shock (to be released) but you just have to keep believing in yourself. If you don’t back yourself, then who else is going to?

“I’ll do a lot of running and (work) in the gym, then hopefully start preseason well and go from there.”

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