City loanee Jay Benn admits he finds it “mental” that professional clubs sign up players at such a young age.
Now 23, the right wing-back is back in Bradford, where life began for him at the turn of the century in Low Moor.
But it was not just the Bantams who missed a trick with Benn when he was younger, no other clubs seemed to have any interest in him either.
Many talented children these days have their journeys into professional football mapped out after they have barely started primary school, but not Benn, who was never once on the books of a league club.
He told the T&A: “I went to Halifax when I was 15, but I didn’t really go through an academy when I was younger.
“I was all Sunday League, it wasn’t until I was 15 or 16 at Halifax and Chesterfield where that changed.
“You see kids getting picked up at six or seven nowadays and it’s just mental.
“But I enjoy football and want to play as much as I can and thankfully this gave me the chance.
“Everyone’s journey is different, but I love mine and how it’s come about.
“It’s made me what I am today.”
Benn immediately had fans on his side after his arrival from Lincoln when they found out he was from the area.
Talking about life as a Low Moor native when you play for Bradford City, the defender said: “I’ve had a few messages but that’s part of football. Things pop up on Instagram and social media.
“It’s nice to be in contact with a few new people as well.”
Benn laughed: “Little Bobby (Pointon) the homegrown lad, he’ll get the “one of our own” chants and he deserves it.
“It’s nice to be a local like the two of us are and know your surroundings.”
Many questioned the logic of signing Benn on loan given he plays in the same position as last season’s overwhelming City Player of the Year Brad Halliday.
Yet a combination of the North-East native’s form dipping below its best, while Benn has continued to impress, means the Bradfordian has seen plenty of game time.
Discussing his form in a City shirt so far, Benn said: “That always comes with wins and results, your confidence grows.
“I’m confident in myself on the back of the win at Mansfield (in the EFL Trophy) that I was able to do it.
“I’d obviously not played in League Two before coming here, so it was a test for myself.
“I wanted to see how I could do and I want to keep proving I can do it.”
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