Youth graduate Jordan Annable knows just how important AFC Mansfield is

“I’ve been here for a long time so I know how important it is to have a good relationship with the people who work hard and tireless behind the scenes,” he said.

AFC may yet be a club in its infancy, but they have already proven what can be achieved in such a short period with the right structure in place.

Having soared through the ranks to score a permanent place in the first team, Jordan Annable is the embodiment of AFC’s aspirations as a grassroots football club.

With 169 appearances and six goals to his name since making his first team debut four years ago, it is clear that Annable is a true Bulls success story.

Fifteen years of age at the time, Annable joined the club in 2014, only two years after the new Mansfield outfit was formed.

But despite the little time they had to assemble a competitive squad, the Bulls’ youth sides had hit the ground running and – in Annable’s words – were “winning things left, right and centre”.

“The U18 and U21 teams we had when I was in the youth setup were just unbelievable,” he said, “I think all of them have progressed onto first team football, whether it be at AFC or somewhere else in similar or higher levels.

“That speaks for itself, really, in regard to the setup.”

Annable – nicknamed ‘JJ’ – said his decision to switch to AFC was a clear one, and that his connection to then-U16s manager Graham Caller, formerly his next-door neighbour, made the move even easier.

“I was at another club where there was no foundation or progression to anything really, so when the Mansfield Futsal lads recommended AFC to me I thought I’d give it a go,” he added.

“It wasn’t a gamble at all and I’m so glad I did it.”

The defender quickly impressed in Forest Town and was handed his first team debut by Rudy Funk against Yorkshire Amateur in April 2016.

“Not a debut to remember, though, as I came off at half-time,” Annable joked.

“But it was great,” he added, “I moved up quite quickly from the U16s to being involved with the first team and I was obviously thrilled about getting my first start.”

That single appearance at the end of the 2015/16 campaign quickly turned into 33 the following season, reflecting the immense faith shown by the AFC management.

Whilst Annable said he had many people to thank for his success, he singled out his former boss as the most important influence in his brief career so far.

He said: “I could name so many that the list would go on forever, whether it be managers or players, but it must be Rudy Funk.

“I’m grateful that he gave me the opportunity to play; looking back, I think his old-school approach helped me adapt to men’s football quickly as his standards were so high.

“Special mention to my Dad too, though. He’s probably the only person who’s never doubted me and only missed a handful of games from the U16s to the first team.”

A first-team starter almost immediately since his debut, the defender was a regular face in a string of success enjoyed by the Bulls under Funk, facing off with National League North side Boston United in the FA Cup third qualifying round before reaching the NCEL League Cup final and clinching promotion to the Northern Premier League.

Annable singled out two of his favourite moments in the red jersey: “If I was to go on achievement, I’d say getting promotion to the NPL, but for the sheer experience it has to be winning against Bridlington away in the League Cup semi-final.

“It was the best footballing display I’ve ever been involved in and I’m pretty positive everyone who was there would agree.”

To accompany his top moments, Annable also had his top performers – he singled out current defensive partner Matt Wilson as the pick of the bunch.

“He’s got to be the best player I’ve played with, hands down,” he said. “He’s always in position, loves a scrap, can pass the ball and more importantly helped me become a better player.

“We work well together… I just do all of his running!

“The best player I’ve played against is probably either Greg Smith who was up front for Boston, or Eli Hey for Pontefract; both a real handful for different reasons.”

News of the return of AFC’s U21 side was well received after the announcement was made earlier this month, and Annable too was quick to praise the move: “Any team in any league must have a structured setup for bringing youth players through, otherwise what’s the point?

“The club would otherwise be known as a first team and I know AFC’s aspirations aren’t that at all.

“It’ll be great to have the U21s back as it’s a good way to get to know the basics of men’s football, so when young players do get pushed through it won’t be a shock to the system.”

Annable and the rest of Matt Chatfield’s squad will hope to push on from a lowly 16th place finish in the expunged 2019/20 season, eyeing up a spot at the right end of the table in hope of returning to the fourth tier of non-league football.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you