10 – Stefan Moore – Was captain of the Aston Villa youth side which beat Wayne Rooney’s Everton in the 2003 FA Youth Cup final.
Made inroads into the Villains first team under Graham Taylor until injury curtailed his season. After 3 loan moves to Chesterfield, Leicester City and Millwall was sold to QPR and made 27 appearances for the Hoops. After this his career hit decline and dropped quicker than a brick off the top of a skyscraper. Port Vale, Walsall, Kidderminster and Halesowen followed until, Moore surfaced at St Neots Town of the United Counties League.
9 – David Bellion – Was the subject of a ‘tapping up’ scandal at the time of his move from Sunderland to United. After seeing his performances for the Red Devils there was surely NO WAY anyone would have tapped him up.
Appeared 24 times for United’s senior side albeit mostly League Cup games even a move to West Ham on loan couldn’t improve his form, eventually Sir Alex grew tired of his under performing and sent him back home to Nice. Which after a move to Bordeaux stagnated is where he has found himself loaned back out to.
8 – Neil Mellor – Highly thought of at Liverpool after top scoring in the youth sides run to the 2001 FA Youth Cup semi finals. When his chance finally came he appeared to grab it with both hands with a stunning winner for Pool against Arsenal, his stunning 30 yard volley in injury time endeared him to the Anfield faithful.
But as in all our Top Ten things soon turned sour for the young Mellor. In fairness to Mellor an injury to both knees played a massive part in halting his progress. He was sold to Preston North End in 2006 and is currently on loan at League 1 Sheffield Wednesday.
7 – Francis Jeffers – The fox in the box as he was affectionately known by Everton fans when after he burst onto the scene as a 16 year old in 1997. After a decent record of 20 goals in 60 games for the Toffees came his big move, an £8 million transfer to high flying Arsenal.
This should have proved the take off point of Jeffers career; unfortunately it proved to be the beginning of the end. Never really fought off Henry or Wiltord for a starting berth in the Gunners starting 11, then embarking on a journey round the country stopping off at Charlton, Blackburn, Everton (again), Ipswich and a trip north of the border to Rangers.
Thought he had found his level at Sheffield Wednesday but even that was above the 1 cap forward. Currently starring for Newcastle United . . . . . Jets in Australia.
6 – Danny Cadamarteri – Another Evertonian wonderkid that burst onto the Premier stage back in 1996. Made almost 100 appearances for the Toffees before an assault charge put an end to his Everton career.
Made his way to Bradford, despite scoring on his debut never really settled at Valley Parade. Then, just as Francis Jeffers did, began a nomadic lifestyle in footballing terms. Signed for Leeds United, then Sheffield United a trip back to Bradford, Grays Athletic, Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town and now plying his trade in Scotland with Dundee United.
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5 – Moses Ashikodi – Became Millwall’s youngest ever player when appearing at the tender age of 15 years and 240 days, was widely tipped for superstardom. After an alleged training ground incident the Lions terminated his contract.
He the popped up at West Ham, without ever making a first team appearance for the Hammers was farmed out to Gillingham on loan and made 4 appearances without scoring. Has since been on the payroll at Rangers, Watford, Bradford, Swindon, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Ebbsfleet and now appears to have settled at Kettering Town.
4 – Paul Dalglish – Was expected to follow in his fathers footsteps and achieve greatness at both Celtic and Liverpool. He left both before ever playing professional matches for them, instead was signed by his father when he took over as Newcastle United boss in 1997.
He made only 14 appearances for the Magpies and made his way south to Norwich, another footballing nomad lifestyle followed with trips to Wigan, Blackpool, Scunthorpe, Irish side Linfield, then back to Scotland with Livingston, Hibernian, a Journey Stateside followed with Houston Dynamo then finally back to the SPL with Kilmarnock where, after an injury ravaged season Dalglish Jnr hung up his boots.
3 – Leon Knight – Was once considered Chelsea’s hottest prospect after banging goals in left right and centre for their youth and reserve sides. An appearance in UEFA cup against Levski was supposed to be the platform for progression. Instead it was his only first team outing for the Blues.
Was loaned out 4 times to lower league sides before settling at Brighton, a move to Swansea followed then trips to MK Dons, Wycombe, Rushden & Diamonds, Greek side Thrasyvoulos, Scottish sides Hamilton and Queen of the South were the next to have L. Knight of the payroll. He has now found a footballing home in Ireland with Coleraine and some good goalscoring form.
2 – Paul Brayson – Was a record goalscorer for Newcastle’s youth and reserve sides with Kevin Keegan declaring the Geordies had found a Gem of a player who would be a Premier League star for years to come.
Hindsight is a terrible thing and Super Kev never played his prodigy once in United’s first team. A loan to Swansea gave the youngster a taste of first team football. A permanent move to Reading and a subsequent loan back to Wales with Cardiff followed. Here his career hit free fall and moves to Cheltenham, Northwich, Gateshead, York, Newcastle Blue Star and Durham all proved fruitless. Now playing for Blyth Spartans in the Blue Square North.
1 – Sonny Pike – If ever there was a case of ‘too much, too quickly’ Sonny Pike was it. Was thrust into the public eye as a 7 year old and appeared on almost every television show imaginable.
He was rather unfairly compared to World Beaters like Diego Maradona and George Best. Was taken from lowly Leyton Orient to European giants Ajax Amsterdam, where interest was that high that his training sessions where broadcast live. After his fame led to the breakdown of his parents marriage over arguments about what was best for the youngster, his love of football dwindled.
Returning to England he signed for Stevenage Borough then Barnet without playing a game, Enfield and Waltham Forest followed for the youngster now using the name Luke Pike. In 2006 he played briefly for Dryburgh Saints before retiring from football for good and attending the University of Dundee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnVH3fjQAAU
Photo’s of Sonny are hard to find, but here is a link of the youngster on Fantasy Football League.
Follow Steve Featherstone on Twitter @FeathersWorld
