Next Sunday's Capital One Cup Final doesn't only have fans from Bradford and Swansea excited, but around these parts Bermudians are eagerly anticipating the game too.
The reason for that? 22-year old Bermudian born striker Nahki Wells, who left the island in 2010 in attempt to make it as a professional footballer in England. Wells paid for himself to attend the then brand new Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy in Headingley, near Leeds where ex-pros Mark Ellis and John Hendrie are heavily involved.
Whilst there he had a season with the Academies affiliated non-league team Eccleshill United in the Northern Counties East League (6 levels lower than Bradford City in the pyramid) and after a couple of trials he ended up at the unlikely outpost of Carlisle United. I have spent time in both Carlisle and Bermuda and they're unlikely to ever be twinned.
Wells was released by Carlisle manager Greg Abbott after half a season and just 3 appearances as Abbott felt that Wells wasn't anywhere near ready for first team football. Wells moved back to the Bradford area and was given a trial by Bradford City, then managed by Peter Jackson in the summer of 2011.
Jackson gave Wells a one-year deal before getting the sack just as the season started but new manager Phil Parkinson took a liking to him and the Bermudian featured in 33 games during the 2011/12 season, scoring 12 goals, and the Bantams took up the option of an additional year's contract.
It has been this season that Wells has caught the eye with television cameras and the national media following Bradford's fairy tale journey to the final of the League Cup beating three Premiership teams on the way. Parky has said that Wells fluid style, pace and ability to score with both feet will not keep him in League Two for long but just as his manager did when Blackpool inquired after him, Wells committed himself to the Bantams at least until the summer despite January transfer window rumours.
Wells, who signed a 3-year contract extension in September has scored 18 goals so far this season including 3 during the League Cup run. One of those goals was the opener against Aston Villa when he remembered his friend Tumaini Steede, who died following a motorcycle accident in Bermuda last summer. Both Leeds and Huddersfield are said to be monitoring his progress but I have read here in the local press
Wells has a respect of Parky, something we know all about at Charlton.
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