Still impressed by Stockley’s attitude

Jayden StockleyJayden Stockley
Jayden Stockley
New Town striker Jayden Stockley’s willingness to try and prove himself on loan was a major reason behind Hatters’ decisions to sign him.

The AFC Bournemouth forward, who made his debut for the Cherries as a 16-year-old, has had spells at Accrington, Woking, Torquay, Leyton Orient and Cambridge.

He joined Luton last week and on his arrival, boss John Still said: “I’ve know Jayden since he was 15 or 16 when they were first talking about him at Bournemouth as my chief scout lives that way.

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“So we always knew about Jayden and one thing that’s always impressed me about him is that whoever’s wanted him, he’s gone there.

“He’s gone to Accrington, to Torquay, to Cambridge, he’s been to Woking as he he’s a boy who just wants to go out and play football.”

Although Stockley has only made 22 appearances for the Cherries, he has stayed with the club since their rise from a League Two relegation battle to topping the Championship.

Still continued: “He’s at a club with massive investment financially and some of the young ones, you can get left behind with that.

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“One of my former players, Matt Ritchie is there and I still speak to Matt.

“What’s gone on at Bournemouth is incredible, massive money has gone into the club and yet they’ve kept him as they’ve always thought a lot of him.”

Stockley made his first start against Shrewsbury in midweek and Still felt the attributes he can offer are ideal with Paul Benson injured and Ross Lafayette short of match fitness.

He said: “We’ve been looking for someone to come in for Paul and for Ross as we pushed Ross to play, two or three weeks ahead of what we should have done, as needs must.

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“But someone that can hold it up, someone that’s mobile, some that can score. He’s not been a prolific scorer, but he hasn’t been settled.

“He’s always come up with goals and it isn’t just the goals he can bring. It’s the goals he can help other people score, how he plays, how he holds the ball up and his movement.”

Still also admitted he had considered signing the striker earlier in the season as he added: “We spoke about him but we decided no as we looked to be okay. He went to Cambridge, but he was one of two players that we highlighted through this window to try and bring in.”

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