On watching Jordan Patrick, it's not difficult to see why the clamour for his inclusion in the first team frame is steadily building.

He has been making a forceful case since his youth scholarship began over two years ago, and one would expect the time is not that far in the future when the winger adds to his sole substitute appearance for the first team.

"I wasn't nervous, I was excited," Patrick admitted following that debut late in the match at home to Barrow in August.

But since that cameo he has returned to the stage he appears to have as good as mastered. Competing in his fourth season of Ridgeons League football, the 18-year-old has continued to exhibit the form which earned him a first year professional deal in the spring.

Born in Honolulu but now Mildenhall-based, Patrick joined the youth scheme at Cambridge City eight years ago and his swift progress was recognised as early as December 2006. Still 15, and now a Cambridge United player, he and his former schoolmate Adam Marriott made their Ridgeons League debuts in an away draw with, coincidentally, Mildenhall Town.

The offer of a scholarship was not far behind, and although he was competing with the elder pair of Robbie Willmott and Craig Bussens for a place on the wing, he managed more than 30 appearances as a first-year scholar.

One moment from that season sticks in the memory; a moment which offered more than a glimpse of the capabilities of the winger.

On a bleak evening on the outskirts of Colchester, the scholars were 1-0 down to Stanway Rovers with stoppage time looming. Patrick received the ball near to the halfway line and raced clear, evading one challenge along the way, before finishing smartly under pressure to equalise.

Little sign of nerves, no shortage of confidence. While there were only 60 spectators at the Hawthorns that day, Patrick insists the crowd is neither friend nor foe, 3,000, 30 or 30,000.

Returning to times more recent, and while some supporters are pushing on Internet forums for the winger's inclusion, Patrick - fleet-footed and perpetually creative - is doing the job quite nicely himself in the Eastern Counties Leagues.

Playing wide as well as in support of a striker, he has contributed six league goals for the scholars and three in the cup competitions. He has been rewarded with a place on the bench for several recent matches and the progress of his colleagues into first team contention is undoubtedly a fillip.

However, it is evidently also difficult charting Sam Ives' regular outings. He admits, "It has been a bit frustrating so far, but I've just got to keep going and try and get into the first team."

Patrick, who doesn't turn 19 until February, is well aware of the potential pitfalls his life as a professional brings. Having witnessed Bussens slip from prominence and down the leagues, he appreciates the pressure, particularly with only a one-year contract for back-up.

"I've just got to get as near to the team as I can, but if a loan came about I'd think about it," he says. "I'll get my head down in training - right or left side, it doesn't matter."

Inevitably, he just wants to play, and perhaps more importantly, there's not a full-back who'll fancy playing against him.

Henry Milward

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