On loan Yeovil defender Ryan Inniss is looking forward to rekindling fond memories when the Victory Shield arrives at Huish Park.
November, and Inniss will enjoy reminiscing after enjoying Shield success.thThe Glovers’ home ground will play host to England v. Scotland in the Under-16’s cup competition on the 20
“I’m very excited and I’m going to stick around and get involved with it as much as I can. In terms of my experience I was lucky enough to represent my country and it was a big part of my career and growing up, fortunately I scored the winner, it came off of my shoulder but I’ll take them all!
“It propelled my career because as soon as you accomplish that you are classed as top players in your age group in the country so Palace recognised that and I started playing in the youth team a lot more, above my age group, too and that really helped me develop physically and mentally.”
Yeovil last hosted a Victory Shield match when England beat Wales 1-0 in 2009, with both Nathan Redmond (Norwich) and Tyler Blackett (Manchester United) featuring for the Three Lions.
Whilst the Crystal Palace loanee is full of praise for the competition, the central defender is keen to point out it is only the beginning of any potential professional footballer’s career.
“It shows you that it is possible but without putting a downer on it you are only 15 or 16. I think there is so much more to do and I realise that now, but at the time I took it as a reward and I loved it, and look at the some of the players I played with, look where Luke Shaw is now.
“People were from all different walks of life and have taken different career paths but I think, I’m not knocking it, I think it’s an unbelievable experience, but I think as long as the lads that do play in it realise that it’s just the foundation and they should enjoy it at that age, because there is a lot of pressure at the time, but it was an unbelievable experience and I really did enjoy it.”
For Inniss, the Victory Shield acted as the catalyst for what is now a promising career in football, and his moment in the spotlight for England still can’t be put into words.
“It was surreal actually because for me I didn’t start playing after injury for a pro club until I was 15 and then later that year I went to the training camp and I was away with England so it all came fast.
“With it being on live TV and my family being able to watch because it was quite far away was unbelievable, so that’s how it came about. It was such a buzz, and scoring the goal, even now I’m struggling to find the words to describe the feeling, it’s taking me back as we speak.”
