Robson Shipley feature in Town’s latest U17s game against Bradford City
- Robson Shipley makes his comeback after a 14-week layoff
- Young Terrier scored on his first start back
- Under-17s are back in action on Saturday 6 January 2021
Huddersfield Town Under-19 forward Robson Shipley is delighted to be back on the pitch and scoring goals following a 14-week injury layoff.
The youngster has linked up with George Danaher’s Under-17 side as he works on building his fitness and played in their most recent game – a 4-2 victory over Bradford City.
The Welshman admitted that although he couldn’t wait to be back to be back playing football and bagging a goal, it was a shock to the system.
“It was tough getting back out there. You need to take time to adjust, especially to the way that we play as a Club.
“There’s no amount of training that can prepare you for it, so I think it was just good that when I was playing, I was able to build into the game as it went on.
“Getting a goal was great! I went into the game with the mindset of ‘just score’.
“It’s one of those were if I hadn’t scored, I think my confidence would have been a bit knocked and I would have felt a little bit like I’m not the same as I was.
“The fact I scored; it was the best thing that could possibly have happened for me.”
Throughout his recovery, Shipley made sure to continue supporting his teammates from the sidelines. However, he admits it was bittersweet as he got closer to getting the all clear.
“It was tough seeing all the lads out training and playing every day while I was mostly in the gym, but to be fair to the physiotherapists, they made it as enjoyable as it can be.
“They made it all engaging and it never felt like a chore to do, so I have to praise them for what they did for me.
“I remember watching the lads play in the FA Youth Cup and I was just sitting watching thinking ‘I could be there playing this’, but obviously there’s reasons why you can’t with the amount of rehab that you need to have done.
“It’s a weird feeling when you get close to being back because you’re anxious about how you’re going to perform, but you’re also just so excited to be back playing football, because that’s what we’re here to do.”
The 17-year-old went on to discuss his relationships with the new intake of Academy scholars both on and off the pitch.
“Some of them are top class.
“As a squad, they’re all very diverse in the way that they play – you’ve got some that are small and very technical, and you’ve got some that are very physical. Brodie Spencer is a lot more physical than a lot of the lads my age!
“When I’m playing with them, it’s strange because I subconsciously slip into a leadership role.
“You realise that you’re the oldest and the lads will look to you for things if they don’t understand because we’ve obviously had the whole year of all the blocks that they’re doing now.
“They’ll sometimes come to me and some of the older lads and ask us questions and you do sort of automatically become a leader, because we’ve all experienced what they’re experiencing.
“I think it helps the lads confidence knowing that if they have any have any questions or don’t understand something, they can come to us instead of the coaches at times.”
Shipley was also keen to highlight his aims for the rest of the 2020/21 season now that he’s back.
“Hopefully I’ll continue flying for the rest of the season.
“I’ll try and keep getting better and better and hopefully earn that pro deal by the end of it and see where it goes from there.”
Robson and the Under-17s will be back in action on Saturday 6 February 2021 when they host Grimsby Town.
You can keep up-to-date with all things Huddersfield Town Academy on their official Twitter page; @htafcacademy.
