Ric Flair Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 RICHARD HEADS FOR THE TOP Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list BY JON DALE 10:30 - 07 December 2004 Richard Stearman's progress in a Leicester City shirt has been dramatic this year. The teenage defender has become a regular for the reserves, having made a big impression with the management team. While only a second-year scholar, he worked his way into the pre-season squad of senior players who travelled to Finland, Estonia and Scotland in July, and helped himself to a goal. The 17-year-old's meteoric rise up the footballing ladder continued in October when he was rewarded for his efforts with a professional contract. Now, he has been nominated for a Leicester Mercury Sports Award. The Wolverhampton-born centre-half, who has been involved with the club since the age of 10, signed a two-and-a-half year deal. A day later, he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute during the goalless Championship draw at Cardiff City. "It was a weekend to remember," said Stearman, who was also on the bench against Burnley and Gillingham in September. "I am thoroughly happy with the deal the club offered me and delighted that I am going to be at Leicester City for a while longer. "To sign pro forms was a nice reward for what has been a great start to the season for me. I hope I can continue to improve. "I have been biding my time, waiting for my chance, and now I have got my reward." Stearman's game has benefited thanks to advice and encouragement from City defensive stalwarts such as Martin Keown, Matt Elliott and Nikos Dabizas. "The senior players have helped me tremendously and keep pointing me in the right direction," said Stearman. He is also hoping to add to his international honours, having represented England at under-16 and under-17 levels. "I want to keep progressing through the age groups," he said. "I recently went with the under-18s to a training camp and, while I haven't played any fixtures at that level as yet, I am optimistic I will be able to keep my place in the England set-up." * To nominate a champion for the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards, fill in the coupon, which will appear in the paper daily for next month, and return it to us. There are 13 categories, covering all aspects of sporting life in the county. They are Sportsman of the Year; Sportswoman of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach/manager of the Year; Under-19 Team of the Year; School Team of the Year; Young Sportsman of the Year (under 18); Young Sportswoman of the Year (under 18); Junior Sportsman of the Year (under 14); Junior Sportswoman of the Year (under 14); Club of the Year; Event of the Year and Contribution to Sport. The closing date for nominations is noon on December 29. A panel of judges will deliberate and announce the winners on February 17.
Stuliasz Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. He is a player we very much need to keep our hands on, one of the most promising youngsters I have seen for many a year.
Cat Burger Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 I spoke to him the other day and he seems to have his feet firmly on the ground, he told me he needs to 'bide his time' and I told him he's got 'everyone behind him' and wished him luck.
Ric Flair Posted 7 December 2004 Author Posted 7 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. He is a player we very much need to keep our hands on, one of the most promising youngsters I have seen for many a year. 44365[/snapback] We are ok now as he signed a 3 year professional contract last month. There were some big clubs sniffing round him last season after the year he had and I have it on good authority that Arsenal and Man United were both enquiring about him. Thankgod he's signed that deal now as before he could of left for a small compensation fee, now we can slap a £10 million price tag on his head.
Mark Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. 44365[/snapback] I would, i want players in our academy to do well, and if we aint going to give them a chance, then someone can take them and then later in their career can stick two fingers up to the management that refused to play them <_< Hopefully that wont happen though but i've had no indication of any chances as of yet.
emmalcfc Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 He's already won Footballer of the Year in the Harborough Mail Sports Awards.
Craig Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 He's already won Footballer of the Year in the Harborough Mail Sports Awards. 44454[/snapback] Surely thatd be young footballer of the year? He's brilliant, but surely players like Lilly Nalis would be ahead of him
emmalcfc Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 He's already won Footballer of the Year in the Harborough Mail Sports Awards. 44454[/snapback] Surely thatd be young footballer of the year? He's brilliant, but surely players like Lilly Nalis would be ahead of him 44456[/snapback] Nah, it were just footballer of the year. Likes of Nalis didn't get nominated. It was just Stearman, Wright, and then like little kids.
Ash Posted 7 December 2004 Posted 7 December 2004 Media attention attracts other football clubs to the player , now we don't want our Stearman being prized away from us now do we !?!
Ric Flair Posted 8 December 2004 Author Posted 8 December 2004 Media attention attracts other football clubs to the player , now we don't want our Stearman being prized away from us now do we !?! 44504[/snapback] Stearman has signed a 3 year professional deal, if other clubs want him they will have to pay money. He won young player of the year last season at City aswell, the lad is gonna be a legend.
Guest Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 Well done to the lad, I hope he does come through.
Onion Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 I spoke to him the other day and he seems to have his feet firmly on the ground, he told me he needs to 'bide his time' and I told him he's got 'everyone behind him' and wished him luck. 44384[/snapback] You asked him for more than that mate... Onion
Macca4lcfc Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. He is a player we very much need to keep our hands on, one of the most promising youngsters I have seen for many a year. 44365[/snapback] We are ok now as he signed a 3 year professional contract last month. There were some big clubs sniffing round him last season after the year he had and I have it on good authority that Arsenal and Man United were both enquiring about him. Thankgod he's signed that deal now as before he could of left for a small compensation fee, now we can slap a £10 million price tag on his head. 44395[/snapback] its saying things like that which makes people get big headed about themselves and over confident
shen Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. He is a player we very much need to keep our hands on, one of the most promising youngsters I have seen for many a year. 44365[/snapback] We are ok now as he signed a 3 year professional contract last month. There were some big clubs sniffing round him last season after the year he had and I have it on good authority that Arsenal and Man United were both enquiring about him. Thankgod he's signed that deal now as before he could of left for a small compensation fee, now we can slap a £10 million price tag on his head. 44395[/snapback] its saying things like that which makes people get big headed about themselves and over confident 44848[/snapback] We did the same with Piper though didn't we?... Although we didn't get £10 mil, we still got a hefty sum of £3,5 mil for a player who made what... less than 20 Premiership starts?... not bad... B)
Guest Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 The days of silly money for players is coming to an end, I reckon. For every Rooney, there'll be plenty more freebies available.
Ric Flair Posted 8 December 2004 Author Posted 8 December 2004 Hmm I'm not sure I would like to see Stearman attract too much media attention at the moment. He is a player we very much need to keep our hands on, one of the most promising youngsters I have seen for many a year. 44365[/snapback] We are ok now as he signed a 3 year professional contract last month. There were some big clubs sniffing round him last season after the year he had and I have it on good authority that Arsenal and Man United were both enquiring about him. Thankgod he's signed that deal now as before he could of left for a small compensation fee, now we can slap a £10 million price tag on his head. 44395[/snapback] its saying things like that which makes people get big headed about themselves and over confident 44848[/snapback] Are you saying you think Stearman is potentially a big head? I wasn't making the comment to feed his ego, I made the comment as a reference to scaring off other clubs if they come sniffing.
Cat Burger Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 I spoke to him the other day and he seems to have his feet firmly on the ground, he told me he needs to 'bide his time' and I told him he's got 'everyone behind him' and wished him luck. 44384[/snapback] You asked him for more than that mate... Onion 44838[/snapback] You willy puller, just because I had the fortitude to go and speak to him . If he'd have told me to #### off I would have just told the bouncers he aint 18
Ash Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 I spoke to him the other day and he seems to have his feet firmly on the ground, he told me he needs to 'bide his time' and I told him he's got 'everyone behind him' and wished him luck. 44384[/snapback] You asked him for more than that mate... Onion 44838[/snapback] You willy puller, just because I had the fortitude to go and speak to him . If he'd have told me to #### off I would have just told the bouncers he aint 18 44984[/snapback] I saw him in a nightclub aswell , Which one did you see him in ? I saw him at Life
Cat Burger Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 I don't know what you look like mate so..... Did you speak to him? no? where's your balls?
Ash Posted 8 December 2004 Posted 8 December 2004 I don't know what you look like mate so.....Did you speak to him? no? where's your balls? 45003[/snapback] Yer i spoke to him mate , I just asked him if he was in the squad for Saturday and i think he's 10 times better than Heath :w00t:
Cat Burger Posted 9 December 2004 Posted 9 December 2004 I didn't think he was drinking! naughty boy. Not what I like to see.
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