Ben Hutchinson's performances in The FA Youth Cup earned him a move to Middlesbrough.
By Russell Staves. Thursday, 02 February 2006.
Ben Hutchinson's majestic performances in The FA Youth Cup have earned him a dream move to Middlesbrough.
The striker, whose prolific displays in The FA Youth Cup caught the eye of numerous scouts, signed at the Riverside in a deal worth £100,000 just hours before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
In the same way The FA Cup propelled DJ Campbell to stardom and a move to the Premier League, The Youth Cup has done the same for Hutchinson, helping the 18 year old realise a dream which was drifting out of sight.
"It all came about because of our FA Youth Cup run," said Arnold Town Academy coach Andrew Muldoon. "The Youth Cup gives them the platform to impress."
Muldoon described the move as a 'rags to riches' story.
"He just could not believe it. All his life he's wanted to play football. He's had a lot of knockbacks from professional clubs, now is his chance to prove them wrong," said Muldoon.
Along with former Nottingham Forest star Calvin Plummer, Muldoon took charge of Arnold Town's youth team which reached the Third Round of The FA Youth Cup - a fine achievement for such a small club.
The Nottinghamshire based club were eventually knocked out by Sheffield United, but not before young Hutchinson had caused a stir, especially in the 7-1 win over Dunston where he ran riot, scoring four.
"Middlesbrough were alerted to Ben because they had a scout up at Dunston. He got four, but the team were just unbelievable that day. They sent a scout to the Sheffield United game too," added Muldoon.
Hutchinson and team-mate Tom Watson were both taken on trial - Watson scored in a recent Reserve game against West Brom - but it was the Arnold Town hotshot who Middlesbrough plumped for.
"They called up at 3.30pm on deadline day and said 'we want him, and we want him now'. It's very exciting, both for the club and for him.
"We could make £100,000, depending on first-team appearances, and he has got a two and a half year contract, which shows they are serious about him. He's in dreamland," said Muldoon, who described Boro's new signing as 'explosive'.
"When he gets the ball, you expect something to happen. He has worked hard at his game, if he continues to do so he could go a long way in the game," he added.
Hutchinson follows in the footsteps of Chris Freestone, another striker who moved from Arnold to Middlesbrough.
Another young star making waves is Liverpool winger Paul Anderson, who recently signed from Hull.
Watch his destruction of Burnley in The FA Youth Cup on Monday by clicking on this fantastic video below.