Just two years after playing for Pinchbeck United Juniors, Jack Withers is looking forward to life with a Premier League club.
Swansea City fans scanning the news of who the club had signed on Transfer Deadline Day last month were confronted with the name of the 18-year-old centre half from Pinchbeck.
Even looking online they may have struggled to find out much information on the 6ft 4in player who impressed so much in 17 games for Pinchbeck United’s senior team that Boston United took him on.
Now it’s Swansea who have seen Premier League potential in Withers and signed him on an 18-month contract.
“I didn’t know what to feel when I signed the contract,” said the defender. “It’s really not something I expected to happen.
“I was just really relieved to get it all over and done with and signed as it was all last minute.”
Withers is now officially a Swansea City player, though as a condition of his contract he is continuing the current season on loan at Boston United while he completes the studies that are part of the Pilgrims’ youth programme and where he’s been playing with the under-23s.
A Swansea City statement announcing Withers’ signing says he will join up with the youth squad in the summer.
He comes from a long line of Pinchbeck footballers.
Both dad Richard Withers and granddad Trevor Withers played for United, while granddad Norman Inglis was also heavily involved in local football.
Jack came through the ranks at the Knights and was part of the successful junior team that won a treble two seasons in a row. His performances in the backline were noted by the senior team and he made his debut for the first team aged just 16.
In all he made 17 starts during that season, including 90 minutes in the President Premier Shield Cup final against Moulton Harrox.
“I used to go down and watch Pinchbeck’s first team and I was really proud to play for them when I was 16,” he continued. “It was great for me as it meant I was getting to the physical side of men’s football which is important for a centre half.
“The coaches there at all levels have been great.”
Withers’ performances for Pinchbeck – despite his age – alerted the scouts of Boston United, who invited him into their youth set-up.
And he’s continued to impress a host of clubs including West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Derby County and Barnsley, who had all expressed an interest in offering him professional terms. But it’s Swansea who have won his signature after he spent a week at the South Wales club on trial.
Withers said: “I went down to Swansea’s training ground and just really liked the area and the people that I met at the training ground. The facilities are really good.
“I just want to make sure now that’s it’s not just this 18-month contract and it’s the start of a career I can continue until I reach retirement age.”
When asked what kind of player he is, Withers continued: “I’m quite good in the air as I should be really given my height. I don’t have scarily quick pace but I feel I read the game quite well.
“I’m also comfortable with the ball at my feet.
“For now I’m looking to complete college and play as well as I can for Boston for the next few months
“Then I will be doing my all to impress at Swansea.”
His proud mum Karen Withers said: “We’ve been there out in the wet and windy Sunday mornings but football is all
Jack’s ever wanted to do. This is a dream come true for him”
“I’m really, really pleased. It all came out of the blue and just sort of blew us away.
“I’m just hoping it goes well for him. It’s now all down to him. It’s a fantastic opportunity and it just goes to show that it does happen if you put hard work in.”
