The Gaffer has got his keeper! We are delighted to announce the signing of Jake Askew, our new goal custodian. I could tell you all about him but he’s done it much better than I can – so read on (& thanks to the mighty Ken W for help with the questions)!
Webmaster: Tell us a bit about yourself – we know you’re a keeper but tell us about your previous clubs
Jake: I Started playing for Rotherham’s Centre of Excellence when I was 8. After being released at 16, I decided to get an education whilst continuing to play football. Between 16 and 18 I played for TRC’s goal academy under Martin McIntosh and Retford United. I chose to study and play internationally in America. Whilst I was in America I played for the university of Jamestown for 4 years and captained this side in my final year. I also played for Little Rock Rangers in the 4th division of US soccer in 2019. When I returned to England I played for Heanor Town for a short period and then signed for Long Eaton United.
WM: & a bit about yourself outside football – job / family / interests etc
JA: Outside of football I work in sales at a wholesale distribution company. I am currently living at home with my parents and I am one of 3 children, with both a brother and sister. I follow my hometown club – Rotherham United – and enjoy socialising with friends in any spare time I have.
WM: Tell us about your time in the US of A, how did you end up there and what was the standard like?
JA: I spent 4 years in the US and it was a great experience. It enabled me to continue playing football full-time and play with players from around the world. In between all of the football I achieved a degree in Business Administration. Whilst I was there I was lucky enough to visit most of the States. I would recommend this to any young player who has been released by an academy. The standard was very good, just a lot less physical than in England.
WM: Our Media Team’s goalkeeping hero is Chelsea legend Petar Borota, but who is your goalkeeping hero?
JA: Unfortunately I wasn’t old enough to witness Borota between the sticks. A personal hero of mine would be Petr Cech who I admired when I was younger.
WM: You must see a lot of the play from where you are, who’s the best player you’ve played behind?
JA: I have played with some great players at Rotherham who have gone on to play professionally, such as Jerry Yates and Ben Wiles. But the best would be a player from Little Rock Rangers called Donald Benamna who represents his country – Central African Republic – he was the fastest player I’ve ever seen and could change the game on his own in a couple of seconds.
WM: How did the phone call go when Frecks got in touch regarding signing for the club?
JA: I was thrilled to be called by Frecks, it’s been my goal to play at the best level possible since returning to the U.K. and this is definitely a step in the right direction. I’ve heard some great things about Frecks and the club and after my first couple of training sessions and meeting Frecks and Sax it was a no brainer to sign with Frickley
WM: What are your hopes for the club & for yourself this season?
JA: My hopes for this season are to win promotion for the club. We definitely have enough talent to do this and this would achieve a personal goal of mine to progress up the steps.
WM: Play out from the back or get it forward quickly?
JA: From a young age and in the States I’ve been coached to play out from the back so I’m more than comfortable to do that. But a strength of mine is distribution so I have the capability for going forward quickly. I probably prefer going forward quickly as I’ve had a few assists in my playing time which always feel good.
WM: Punch or catch?
JA: There’s a time and a place for both but I’d always choose to catch where possible.
WM: In the 70s, Man U keeper Alex Stepney dislocated his jaw shouting at his defenders, are you a vocal keeper and should we expect a bit of verbals from between the sticks?
JA: I am a vocal keeper and it’s important that I continue to be verbal as it adds to my presence between the sticks.
Jake also added “I can’t wait for pre-season to begin, meet all the lads and the people at the club and start winning football matches and hopefully keeping clean sheets”
Music to our ears is that – welcome aboard Jake Askew
