New Boys

by Simon Wright

 HARRY BURNS

 Anyone who scores the winning goal against Stourbridge deserves an extended stay. Trialist no more, Harry Burns repeatedly impressed supporters and management during pre-season. He was the tall, blond, attacking midfielder who was in the right time right place last Saturday to leave our opponents visibly cross.

The Brockworth-born centre or right midfielder started his footballing career with Step One Weymouth FC youth between 2019 and 2021.  His time coincided with the first two years of university degree study, probably at nearby Bournemouth.  During that period, he also briefly played for UD Horodada of the Valencia regional league, possibly as a favour to his dad who was already there.

In the summer of 2021 after his release by Weymouth, he moved to Dorchester. Town had been impressed by his display for Weymouth against them in the Dorset Senior Cup Final.  Quickly, he discovered that the final full-on university year and playing football as well became too much. In October 2021, he took a career break to finish his studies.

The break appears to have lasted a couple of years, probably covid related.  His next action came in 23/24, when. Burns played 35 out of 38 League games for Cirencester Town, He found the net 7 times and was made Supporters Player of the Year.

Step 3 Gloucester City signed him the following summer as Cirencester took voluntary relegation. Yet other than some embarrassing short video clips, there wasn’t much action in the City squad. He was loaned out to Bishops Cleeve, quickly returning to City still frustrated before “Hot Shot Harry” as they described him, signed for Cleeve permanently in November.   Cleeve reached the Step 4 play-offs but Harry saw little match action.  If any.  In the summer, he was invited to train with Gloucester again but clearly decided he needed a move.

Harry lives in Gloucester. He has two brothers and a sister (Lucy). His Dad Chris Burns had a decent career, playing for Portsmouth v Liverpool in a FA Cup Semi Final. Latterly, Chris made 315 appearances for Gloucester and is a former Tigers manager. These days, his dad works as a bricklayer with Harry’s brothers.

 Welcome to the Yeltz, Harry.  Downers of Stourbridge are always remembered here.

JAMES KELLERMAN

I’ve drafted dozens of pieces on Step 2 players. Part of that process is an expectation around their playing CV.  I look for higher level appearances, a consistent run of games, and playing for well-known clubs of status.  Having all those is normally a signing shoe in. 

My first thought upon checking Jim Kellerman’s record was “how on earth did we land him?”  Jim is 30 with 229 appearances, the majority of them in the National League.   His 228 performances in non-league’s top division is far greater than the rest of our squad put together.  The midfielder has 19 goals to his name. This is a highly creditable CV, which normally gets a gig in National League North.  I notice the Hereford manager follows Jim on social media where the player openly advertises that’s he’s open to work offers.  What didn’t happen there?

James Aaron Kellerman is London-born with German ancestry and stands a very handy six foot one.   He relocated with his parents at a very early age to Kidderminster.  He attended the same school as Platty, albeit 3 years later.  Harriers were the first team he watched consistently from the age of 9.  Back then of course they were a Football League side. He learnt about football with Stourport Swifts before being spotted at 14. 

We’ll gloss over his near seven years with Wolves Academy and focus on his more recent employers.  Kidderminster, Tamworth. St Mirren, Chesterfield. Woking, Ebbsfleet, Aldershot.    These are non-league “names.” Just a year ago, he signed a deal with a full-time Step One club. Now he’s joining the Yeltz.

Our new arrival is predominately a central midfielder though has played in every midfield position and in extremis as a right back.  “He’s an all-rounder” explained St Mirren assistant manager James Fowler.  “He can score goals and spot a pass.”    Aldershot fan Kaylee Seckington thought his attributes were “calmness, energy and acting as a driving force.”  Woking media spoke excitedly about his “energy and being a box-to-box player.”

But now? “I’m old, too many injuries, my knees are hurting” Jim joked only last week to a Kiddy Harriers podcast.  A combination of injuries and being in the wrong place at the wrong time held him back from a more lucrative career. Several injuries were mentioned at Wolves. A dislocated shoulder at Aldershot.  Another in Scotland. A long-term muscle strain at Ebbsfleet. He “struggled at Woking due to injuries.” He had surgery on his shoulder in 2020.  That Kellerman can be a very impressive performer is in little doubt. He was Woking Players Player of the Season in May 2023.  

He had 2 really good years at Aldershot after escaping Wolves. He was 22.  When a two-year offer came in from a Scottish Premier League club, the progression seemed ideal. Two days after signing for St Mirren, the manager left.  Another dislocated shoulder, suffered against Celtic was the first of two injuries which side-lined him for 3 months. By the time he was fit, the Buddies were on their third Gaffer in 5 months. He’d never seen Kellerman play. Jim was isolated in every way, living alone in Scotland. 

Kiddy manager Russ got in touch and an arrangement was quickly made.  Then covid hit and he had to wait 181 days to make his debut. And then he suffered another injury.  The midfielder fell out of love with football and was going to leave the game after his release from Aggborough. Then Chesterfield came in.  His career began again.

Jim and his partner bought a house near Kiddy a year ago.  His local club couldn’t offer a deal to meet his expectations so he signed for Ebbsfleet instead.   The travelling was arduous and after his son was born, became too much so just after Christmas a loan deal was agreed with Harriers.  He couldn’t get into the Kiddy team for two months because the incumbent central midfielders were in top form.  He finally secured a starting shirt was making an impact when he was struck down by anther injury when performing at Spennymoor.  “Three injuries worth of hamstrings in one” according to his doctor.  That was his season done and much of pre-season too.  He spent some off-season time having rehab at Aggborough.  His recent cameos as a Yeltz trialist was his first football for 5 months.

Why the Yeltz?   I’d speculate on a combination of these. The Penn factor. Less travelling/ fewer games than higher leagues which helps family commitments.  The empathy with the other new dads.  (Halesowen players are such a fecund bunch) The realisation that he needs time to develop a new career.   Jim is working through his UEFA B certificate with a view to being a coach or starting player mentoring.  Whatever the reason, our new man feels like a major asset if he can stay fit.   Welcome JK.  Its football Jim but not as you know it.