Stockley: I will continue to work hard

AFCB Vitalfootball are once again sponsoring young striker Jayden Stockley this season.

We haven`t spoken to Jayden since the end of last year so we caught up with him to find out what he did over the summer.

Did you get to go on holiday over the summer?

'I was lucky enough to squeeze in two trips, one to Marbella and one to Crete.

'Marbella was with other player`s such as Partington, Cook, Cummings and Cooper the Crete one was with my girlfriend.

'We`ll just say that they were quite different holidays.

Since the change in management at AFC Bournemouth Jayden has seen a lot of changes around the club.

In Lee Bradbury`s final game in charge, Stockley received his first League start for the Cherries, but is yet to make an appearance under new manager Paul Groves.

Stockley has also been moved into the new development squad rather than the first team, which has seen Jayden feature quite prominently during pre-season.

The development squad is a new concept at Dean Court, set up to try and bridge the gap between the youth team and the first team. There are no competitive fixtures for the squad, with the Cherries withdrawing from the Football Combination League (reserves set-up), but they are set to play around 30 games a season against other clubs development squads and local non league sides.

Could you explain to us, what the advantages of being moved into the development squad are for you personally?

'I don`t know whether the word 'advantage` is really the right word…but the thinking is that I will spend more time on the technical side of things and spend more time actually playing.

'The recent August pre-season friendly I played was the first time I have played a whole match since Christmas 2011.

'It is vital I play weekly and for ninety minutes, I want to play..I want to develop…I want to score goals and Paul and Shaun have recognised that I must have this to personally develop and to make up for wasted time I have experienced on the side lines.

How does it work on a practical level? Do you train daily with the first team or separate with the development squad?

'At present I train with the development squad…the carrot is to train hard, focus and to break into the First Team.

In the past you`ve said that you had enjoyed being fast-tracked into the first team, so do you feel this is a good time to now take a step back and concentrate on your development or are you eager to prove your worth and get back into the first team fold?

'I want to play first team football. I believe I am good enough and I believe I can add to the squad in terms of goalscoring and overall contribution to a game, I do however need the opportunity and a run of games…something that may not be possible, I hope it is, and therefore proving oneself elsewhere on loan may be the way to go.

'Paul will obviously have the final say on this.

Unlike previous products of the Cherries youth set-up like Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid, you have never had a long spell playing for the youth team, playing week in and week out, enjoying your football and scoring regular goals. You must be looking forward to getting regular football amongst this new set-up?

'The development squad is earmarked to have 30+ games, that would be excellent.

'I want to play every week, whether that`s development football or on loan I really don`t mind…I just want to play.

Talk us through how you felt the pre-season games went for you.

'A couple of games were just 15-30 minutes so nothing to report on that, the two games at the stadium were excellent to be involved in and I just wish I had more opportunities that came my way.

'I know I can do a job and am eager to prove my worth to AFC Bournemouth.

You haven`t been involved in the first team as yet this season, but did play in a game against Gillingham last week alongside first team players Steven Gregory, Mark Molesley and the returning Richard Hughes, how did that go?

'It was okay. It was minutes played and therefore helped me fitness wise…apart from that it was a fairly dis-jointed game which was played in a fairly friendly manner.

'Competitive football is far different and far better for all involved.

As you've mentioned, you might like the chance to go out on loan this season. Last season you had a loan spell in League Two with Accrington Stanley and had been linked with a move to Aldershot before it collapsed. Would you like to get out on loan sooner rather than later this season, if that is what is decided?

'Yes, if Paul thinks that`s the way to go I would be delighted to go on loan to play regularly and to score at League level.

'Then back to Bournemouth as a more complete, experienced and confident player.

'I don`t want to waste any more of my time and therefore a loan move may be the way to go.

There have been a lot of new faces around the squad over the summer, but one of the most important to you will be Chris Hargreaves who comes in as your new development coach.

'Chris has been excellent, and has made the move back to the Development set-up for me much easier as I know he knows his Football.'

How do you think the squad have looked during the opening few games of the season and what are the squads aims for the season?

'The squad will take a little time to gel, though we all know time is not a luxury we can afford in Football.

'We are fully focused as a squad and a team in delivering quality winning football, Paul and Shaun are looking for players to step up and deliver when the opportunity arrives…therefore I will continue to work hard and hope that opportunities come my way to impress…and to score!

To read Jayden Stockley's previous AFCB Vital features - click here.

Supporting the Club

Vital Bournemouth helps to raise money for the football club and The Junior Cherries, through a variety of schemes and its sponsorship of Cherry Bear and the AFC Bournemouth Travel Coaches.