Midfielder Luke Hyam has impressed manager Paul Jewell not only enough to win a new contract but also to be cited as an example to other players. In February, former Northgate High School pupil and academy scholar Hyam was controversially offered only a new one-year deal but has since shown his manager he is well worth a longer term contract.

Jewell said: “He’s been terrific. I’ve got to take my hat off to Luke Hyam. He’s an example to all players when they think all the world’s against them.

“He wasn’t even in our reserves side last season on a regular basis and I think he’s shown a brilliant attitude.

“I think he’s improved as a player, I think his confidence is coming through. He’s going to have peaks and troughs, but he will definitely be one that we will want to give a new deal, no doubt about that, that’ll be sooner rather than later. I haven’t spoken to him about it, but it’s one that I’ve spoken to the owner about.

“He’s done well, really well, and he’s got a lot of an improvement in him. He’s an example to all the young lads who think the door’s closed on them - it’s never shut.”

The Blues boss says he’s had spells as an outcast at clubs during his playing days and that it’s important to keep working hard and not feeling sorry for yourself: “As a player [at Bradford] I was training on my own in different training kit from everybody else at one stage, and 18 months or two years later, I was the manager.

“So, you’ve got to keep fighting for yourself. Luke’s done that and he’s an example to all the young players — or even the older players or more experienced players as we call them now as we haven’t got any older players — that it’s never too late.

"While you’re here and you’re training every day, you’ve always got a chance to impress me.”

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 12:19 - Aug 24 Super news, well done Luke!
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cobboldmassive added 12:31 - Aug 24 Surely this shows that our manager was not a great judge of ability on this one? - he does struggle with that!
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casanovacrow added 12:47 - Aug 24 He hasn't improved ...Paul Jewel was just blind to it before. At least he's noticed it now though. Well done Hyam, keep it up
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menacinho added 13:26 - Aug 24 DaleyITFC, that's the Shane O'Connor who is now tearing up the pitch and banging in the goals in the Premier League? I think PJ has done a great job managing Hyam.
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fifeblue added 13:59 - Aug 24 Luke Hyam has been the best player at the club for 3 years.
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adamisablue added 14:01 - Aug 24 @bossman- yeah he does do the simple stuff well, basics win matches. and kesgraveblue, maybe that "2 years" to discovewr lukes talent made that talent. for all we know, that 2 years of being shut out made him work harder, run faster, gave him that extra hunger. paul knows what hes doing, he's admited his mistakes last year and think even if we dont make promotion this year, hes worth at least another year as long as progress is made from last season

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AndyUK61873 added 14:02 - Aug 24 like it, but lets give him a 2yr deal, needs to stay hungry and not get complacent with a long term deal on his hands. The give him the 4yr deal taking him well into his 20's. or strucutre it that is is 2y guarnatee and then 2yr add on, but can be terminadted after 2yrs if he does not continue his improvement.
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DiamondGezzer added 15:10 - Aug 24 Adamisablue :- Agree. I think the one year deal [ when he was probably expecting a two or three year deal ] made him pull his socks up, one year doesn't give time for complacencey. Good management in my book. We've had enough of those with longer contracts prepaired to warm the bench or play halfheartedly. Andy ^ Not the worst shout in the world.
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chumley54 added 16:02 - Aug 24 according to wikipaedia shane o'connor has yet to score a senior goal IN ANY LEAGUE!! COULD BE DUFF INFORMATION THOUGH, BUT HARDLY SOMEONE WE MADE A MISTAKE ON IS HE?
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