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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Wales's James watches Hereford - as Wayne Rooney told star's 'gonna go far'

Jordan, second left, watches the game with mum Vikki and dad Tony
Wales international Jordan James - son of former Hereford defender Tony - was watching last night's county cup win over Clee Hill United.

Sitting alongside dad Tony and mum Vikki, Jordan watched on as Paul Caddis's side - made up of the under-18s - came back from going a goal down in the first minute to win the Herefordshire FA County Challenge Cup first round tie 2-1.

It's believed he was there to support relative Lewis Rose, who scored the young Bulls' equaliser. Lewis is also the son of Michael Rose, who played for United between 2002 and 2004, alongside Tony James.

While he grew up in Hereford, where Tony, an FA-registered agent and UEFA B licence holder is now a coach with the Westfields first team, Jordan's gone on to make waves at Birmingham City and in the Wales national team.

In fact, the 19-year-old stole the show in midfield for Wales on Sunday evening as they beat Croatia 2-1 in the EURO 2024 qualifiers.

He drew rave reviews in the face of Croatia's triumvirate packed with quality and experience, with WalesOnline giving him 8/10 in their player ratings.

Reporter Tom Coleman said: "A big ask for a player so young to go up against Luka Modric and Co. Handled it brilliantly. Read things superbly and even gave his side an injection of dark arts that certainly helped them over the line."

While a brace from Fulham winger Harry Wilson got Wales across the line, reports from the Cardiff City Stadium showed it was Jordan James, and Leeds counterpart Ethan Ampadu, who accumulated plenty of acclaim for their handling of the occasion and combatting of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.

He played the full 90 minutes and under pressure Wales boss Rob Page pointed to Jordan's performance and predicts the player, who will return to Birmingham this week and begin working under new boss Wayne Rooney, can continue to go through the levels as he matures further.

"I just want to focus on games of football," Page said, as reported by BirminghamLive

"We're two wins away from qualifying for a fourth major tournament. What about young JJ's performance against one of the best midfields in world football? He's got to be looking at [Luka] Modric tonight thinking 'Oh my God'. He must think he's dreaming.

"He's gonna go far that kid. He really is. Along with many others. It's been such a positive camp for so many reasons."

Speaking after the 2-0 against Latvia in September, Jordan said it had been a proud camp but he doesn't want to stop here.

"I want to get to better things and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the lads in that dressing room, they've been unbelievable," Jordan told BBC Sport.

"They've took me under their wing and tonight I repaid them hopefully and we move onto the next one.

"Out there it showed the togetherness, everyone's still together. Obviously, there's been speculation, but together, we got through tonight. It was a tough test, it's not a nice place, to be."

Jordan joined Birmingham City at pre-academy level and took up a two-year scholarship in July 2020.

According to the then head of professional development phase Mike Dodds, the youngster was "technically very good and versatile, can play in both offensive and defensive areas of the pitch."

Dodds also highlighted the commitment shown by the James family in making a round trip of more than 100 miles from their Hereford home for training in Birmingham three times a week for nine years.

He made his senior debut for the Blues aged just 17, alongside youth caps for Wales.

The FA of Wales's technical director Dr David Adam actually praised those caps for getting Jordan to where he is now.

Tweeting after the Croatia win, he said: "Delighted for Jordan James and family. What a journey from our regionals development squads through under-13 to under-15. 

"Twenty-five youth caps across under-15 to under-19 to ensure effective transition. Big effort and thanks to all the technical team."