Piers Wixon

Unlike some of his team-mates, Piers Wixon hasn't undergone an extensive academy football education, and he is evidence that such instruction is not absolutely vital for young players.

Piers was signed following trials in pre-season from under the noses of a number of higher profile clubs, and having witnessed some impressive displays U's staff and fans alike will be able to see just why Cambridge United were not the only club interested in the precocious Wixon.

Piers claims he was attracted to Cambridge United by the professional set-up and the club's ambition, and he believes the club can achieve "many things". And why not, with the current crop of youngsters, the sky is the limit. Piers has already been a major force behind the FA Youth Cup success, bagging a brace in the victory against Newmarket and acting as the hub of many attacks.

But his influence was most notably and indeed spectacularly showcased in the young Us' Third Round success against a strong Crewe Alexandra side. Following a sustained spell of United pressure, Piers ran at the retreating Alexandra back four before letting fly with a veritable screamer into the top left-hand corner. Certainly a moment to remember for the youngster, who will no doubt seek to repeat the feat against Cardiff in Round Four.

Meanwhile, in the Ridgeons League, Brentwood boy Piers has four goals to his name, all netted in impressive away-day performances, two of which were victories against Stanway Rovers and Harwich & Parkeston. He also bagged a brace to secure a comeback against League high-flyers Mildenhall Town on Boxing Day. So we can safely tempt fate in saying neither CRC or Cambridge United Under 18's have lost when Piers has scored.

Piers aims to "eventually achieve a pro contract at Cambridge United", and he has undoubtedly made a promising start to his time at the club. In fact, before the season even began, he netted a hat-trick on tour against the youth side of European giants Sparta Prague - quite an achievement, and one Piers lists as his best moment in football.

In the longer term Piers seeks to "achieve a career at a good standard of football" and, with luck, he will be shooting Cambridge United up the leagues. His experience of men's league football as well as competing against similarly talented youngsters in the FA Youth Cup will surely stand him in good stead for his future in football, wherever it may be.

What is certain is that Piers has plenty of time in which to accomplish his goals. Still only a first-year scholar, time is certainly on his side and with the coaching he receives here at Cambridge United he is sure to continue developing as a footballer, especially given his relative inexperience of academy football. Piers has arguably been thrown in at the deep end, but has shown he is quite capable of not only treading water, but swimming lengths.

West Ham fan Piers prides himself on his finishing, movement and pace - all of which have been in clear evidence in recent weeks, not least in the move that led to his aforementioned goal against Crewe. They are all important facets to a footballer's game; good finishers are a rare and valuable breed at any level and Piers appears to have the makings of a 'natural goal-scorer'.

Being a West Ham fan, Piers has tried to model his game on another good finisher - Paolo di Canio. Piers admires the Italian "because he is a great professional and can influence a team in many ways."

We wish Piers all the best for the rest of the league and cup campaign, and hope we will witness many more seasons of goal-scoring success in Cambridge.

Piers and the rest of the youth team take on Cardiff City in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup next Thursday, 18th January (kick 7pm). If you wish to support them, we are running a supporters coach to the game, click here for full details.

By Henry Milward

Previous Featured Players:
13Dec06: Phil Smith (scholar)
07Dec06: Danny Brown
23Nov06: Sam Cutler (scholar)
16Nov06: Robbie Simpson
02Nov06: Craig Bussens (scholar)
12Oct06: Michael Hyem (scholar)
06Oct06: Rob Wolleaston
25Sep06: Matt Kendrick (scholar)
20Sep06: Jon Brady
14Sep06: Mark Peters
11Sep06: Jordan Collins (scholar)

Last season's Featured Players:
16May06: Jon Brady
04May06: Tommy Jaszczun
26Apr06: David Bridges
20Apr06: Scott Howie
13Apr06: Craig Westcarr
22Mar06: Andy Duncan
15Mar06: David Bridges
01Feb06: David Chick
08Dec05: Michael Morrison
29Nov05: Ritchie Hanlon
25Oct05: Stephen Smith
05Oct05: Fola Onibuje
29Sep05: Mark Peters

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