Hednesford teenager Aidan Stone steps up to the big-time with Burnley

The 17-year-old from Hednesford was recently snapped up by the Clarets, whose scouts picked him out while playing for England Schoolboys Under-18s.

The former Kingsmead School and Wolgarston High pupil is set to start up with the club’s under-23s on July 3, alongside former Brocton team-mate Harry Flowers who signed for Burnley in February.

On going from the Midland League Premier Division to the youth set-up of the top-flight Turf Moor outfit, Stone said: “It all came around a bit quick – from being at Brocton and then getting the offer to sign for Burnley.

“It was a bit of a shock but then playing a few games and meeting everybody, it’s starting to seem normal now.”

Stone came on leaps and bounds last term, winning the Centenary Shield with England and being the No.1 keeper for Brocton in the Midland Premier.

Physical

His decision to join the Badgers came shortly after being let go by Walsall after a three-month trial spell, and he believes the rough and tumble of men’s football was key in getting him to where he is now.

“The Burnley scouts came to a few games for England Schoolboys and then a week after we won the Centenary Shield, they called,” said Stone.

“It was the best option for me getting into men’s football, getting used to the physical side of being a goalkeeper.

“In the Midland League, some of the players you come up against don’t really care if they injure you or not.

“It was something I had to get used to, and having regular men’s football last season certainly helped me.

“It was a good experience to play at those grounds in front of actual fans, who are passionate about their clubs. It’s not a kick-about – football at that level means a lot, wins and losses really matter.

“When I was at Walsall, they put me in a few under-18s squads so I thought there might be a chance of staying there.

“When they said they weren’t taking me on, on a scholarship, I was down about it for a while.

“I decided I wanted to play at the most competitive level I could and I managed to impress at Brocton and then play regularly.”

Despite Brocton’s relegation, Stone made a huge impression as he won their players’ player of the year award.

One of the players he impressed there was Flowers, grandson of Wolves great Ron Flowers, who has became a good friend with the pair of footballing hopefuls set to live together in Lancashire.

“Harry’s been great to me, he sort of showed me around and made feel welcome – as did everybody there to be fair,” said Stone. “They have all really made me feel a part of the team.

“Me and Harry are moving into a house up there as well.”

His mother, Donna, is immensely proud of how much he has come on in recent years and is delighted to see his hard work pay off.

“He actually started playing from the age of five, and he’s 18 at the end of July,” she said.

“He used to go Kingsmead School and then was at Wolgarston High for sixth form, where he did a sports course.

“He played for Sporting Khalsa prior to Brocton and was on trial at Walsall when he was 16 – and being let go from there really spurred him on to go into non-league and prove himself.

“He joined Brocton in February of last year, initially as their back-up goalkeeper, and impressed to make the No.1 shirt his own.

“It’s all happened very quickly, and we are all very proud of what he has achieved.”

Among Burnley’s pre-season friendly schedule is a trip to Silkmore Lane to play Brocton.

Stone’s family and friends are set to be there, and he added: “That’s probably the pre-season friendly I am most looking forward to.

“Pre-season starts July 3. It has been nice to have a little break after playing something like 50 plus games last season including England Schoolboys.

“I am doing work in the gym to get ready but I just want to get going now, really,” added Stone.