ANFIELD WINNER... Midfield player ALLAN STEVENSON has set himself some pretty high standards in his three years at the club and it appears to be paying off for the 20 year-old.
He has already made quite an impact in the first team with some mature and industrious displays and
he has played on the winning side in a cup final at Anfield! That success was described as an "amazing experience" by Allan as the Hartridge Academy side beat the Bluecoat School of Merseyside by a 3-2 margin at the famous ground in the final of the English Schools Under-19 Trophy last May.
In his early teenage years it appeared more likely that he would be following his football ambitions with Chester City, then in the Third Division of the Football League.
Allan said: "I joined Chester when I was twelve and hoped to be offered a YTS place by them. There was interest from other clubs and I had a trial with Glasgow Rangers, but I missed my chance when Chester were relegated from the league."
The interest from a major Scottish club was appropriate as Allan considers himself Scottish, because his parents Allan and Elizabeth both came from Glasgow. His dad was his inspiration although sadly he did not live to see Allan junior play at Anfield.
Allan said: "My father always encouraged me to express myself when I play and he gave me confidence, and my mother and my grandfather, Andrew Penman, also gave me
great support. I also have a sister, Lucy who is the brains of the family - she is doing a Master's degree but is not involved at all in sport! "
Allan was actually born in Chelmsford, but the family soon moved to Wales and settled first in Ruthin, and then in Pwllheli. When he lost out on the chance of joining Chester, a surprise opportunity occurred.
Allan said: "A teacher in my school at Pwllheli recommended me to Glyn and Roger at the Academy and it seemed like an ideal chance for me to play at a higher level and continue my education.
"It was a bit daunting moving away from home at the age of sixteen, and I didn't really settle in the first year when I was homesick. But I feel that last year I started to play to my potential. My main aim was to get into the first team by the end of the season and I achieved that."
He used to play on the right wing, but it was as a central midfield player that he made his mark at senior level, and this is now his preferred position because he finds it more physically demanding.
Allan said: "I was a bit shocked by the reaction of our supporters to me when I played in the first team. I think they are superb. They really cheered me on and it had a great effect on my confidence."
He scored goals in a Gwent Cup-tie against Albion Rovers, and then in Premier Division games at home to Crawley and again when the team of his birth, Chelmsford City were convincingly beaten 3-0 here at the end of the 2001-02 season. The future looked bright but Allan’s progress stalled a little last season when he was unfortunate enough to pick up the mystery bug that sidelined most of the squad on the pre-season trip to the south coast. Allan suffered more than most and was hospitalised for a short time and then when he recovered he damaged ankle ligaments but he has shown a commendable determination and has made an impressive contribution to the team this season.
Indeed he has sometimes been the senior member of the midfield quartet where he can offer words of wisdom to the likes of Gethyn Jones and Ashley Williams.
He still regularly visits his family in North Wales, but he has long overcome the feelings of homesickness he experienced when he first came to the Academy and is popular with players, staff and supporters at the club.