BIG Interview: Jamie Reed

Age: 29 years old.

Nationality: Welsh 

Position: Striker

Current Club: Newtown AFC

Former clubs: Wrexham, Glentoran (loan), Colwyn Bay (loan), Aberystwyth Town (loan x2), Tamworth (loan), Rhyl, Bangor City (x2), Dandenong Thunder (loan), York City, Cambridge United (loan), Chester, South Melbourne, TNS and Llandudno.

Credit: Newtownafc.co.uk.

WHEN it comes to WPL players that have played in various different leagues, Jamie Reed is up there as one of the most experienced.

Having played in Northern Ireland, England and Australia, as well as many a club in Wales, it’s fair to say that the 29-year-old striker has always looked dangerous no matter where he goes.

A powerhouse forward who uses his strength and size to outmuscle defenders, Reid certainly knows where the goals is.

He scored 13 goals in 31 appearances for Rhyl, 41 in 52 during his first spell at Bangor City, 5 in 7 when he was on loan in Australia with Dandenong and at York City he hit 20 goals in his 74 appearances.

As well as all the goals, he also has three Welsh Premier League titles to his name, having won the prize with Rhyl in 2008-09, Bangor City in 201-11 and TNS in 2014-15. With TNS he also won the Welsh Cup and Welsh League Cup in that same year, completing a memorable treble for the side. In England, he had similar success when he won the FA Trophy with York City in 2011-12 and also gained promotion from the Conference to League Two in the same season.

Reed celebrating that York promotion. Credit: Yorkpress.co.uk.

Having established himself as a household name within football, Reid has now moved to Newtown AFC ahead of the 2017/18 campaign and told AFEFootballNews that he hopes the side can challenge for a place in the top six this year.

When I spoke to him recently, he gave an insight into life as a youngster at Wrexham and spoke of his time playing in England …

 

AFE: Hi Jamie. First off, who was your footballing idol when growing up and why?

JR: Hi mate. It was definitely Robbie fowler. I’m a big Liverpool fan and he is the best finisher I’ve ever seen.

The original Ronaldo was a big favourite of mine too, because the things he could do with a ball was about 15-20 years ahead of his time.

What would they be worth in today’s market I wonder, £100mil?

 

AFE: What was it like being a 16 year old at Wrexham? Did the club help you progress as a player?

JR: It’s was good. Joey Jones and Steve Weaver were our coaches and they were brilliant.

They really helped us youngsters push on. I made my first team debut at 17 so had to grow up quickly.

But it was all development and I don’t think I would have had the career that I’ve had so far if it had never met those guys!

Joey Jones – a legend to many at Wrexham. Credit: lfchistory.net.

AFE: Who are the best players you’ve played alongside and against and why?

JR: The best player I’ve played with is Andre Boucaud, who was our centre mid at York. He was such a good player and used to do things in training that were just insane.

I’ve played against some very good players too. Again, as a Liverpool fan, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher were my favourites, but that was in a friendly. I also played against Bolton in the FA Cup and Gary Cahill played. It was just before he moved to Chelsea and he was and still is a top class defender!

Boucaud – A special player according to Reed. Credit: BBC.com.

AFE: What was it like winning the WPL with both Rhyl and Bangor?

JR: You forgot TNS! (Oops!).

Both clubs were brilliant as both had the biggest fan bases in the League and when the teams are doing well there is massive crowds in the WPL.

However, I would probably say it felt more of an achievement with Bangor due to the size of the budget and it was so unexpected from everyone. I also personally had a really good season that year.

Baby faced Reed celebrates scoring a goal for Bangor in 2010. Credit: Dailypost.co.uk.

Winning it with Rhyl was good as it was my first but the calibre of players in the squad were probably expected to win it that year.

 

AFE: Who’s the best manager you’ve played under and why?

JR: I’ll have to go with Gary Mills on this one. He was brilliant with the lads and got York into the Football League.

I’ve got to give Nev Powell a mention as well though. He managed to get a great bunch of guys together that could win the league against two full time teams (TNS & Neath) and Llanelli who were paying big money out at the time. I think that just goes to show how far team spirit can get you sometimes.

 

AFE: Finally, you’ve made the move to Newtown now, what made you want to move there? what are your hopes for the season ahead?

JR: I know Chris (Hughes, the manager) from doing my B license and I needed a club that creates chances for their striker.

After seeing them having the league’s top scorer in their side last year (Jason Oswell), I thought if I get the chances I can go score a few goals and get back to enjoying my football again.

Hopefully as a team we can surprise a few people and sneak into the top 6 and maybe even Europe via the play-offs.

Jamie Reed scoring for York. Credit: yorkpress.co.uk

Thanks very much for answering AFEFootballNEws’ questions Jamie and all the best to you and Newtown for the 2017/18 WPL campaign.