White keen to make impact with Bristol Rovers (From Gazette Series)

Yate Town spell can be important stepping stone for striker Joe White

9:26am Thursday 29th January 2009 in Sport By Rob Iles

JOE White is hoping a successful loan spell at Yate Town can help him break into the Bristol Rovers first team.

A local lad who lives with his parents in Old Sodbury, 18-year-old White was a pupil at Brimsham Green School before joining Filton College’s Football Development Centre and has since followed in the footsteps of his dad Steve by becoming a professional footballer.

He came off the bench to score his first Yate goal in the 2-1 defeat at Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday and, after impressing in his three substitute appearances for the BGB Southern League Premier club, he could be in line for a first start at Banbury United this Saturday.

White can look to the influence of Josh Klein-Davies, who made an impact on loan at Yate last season before making ten appearances for the Rovers first team and also take encouragement from senior players who progressed through the League One side’s academy before being given a chance in the first team.

He said: “Josh came for a month, scored a few goals, got recalled by Bristol Rovers, came off the bench for the first team and scored for them so Yate was a good learning curve and stepping stone for him.

“There are people like Chris Lines and Sean Rigg who are all young lads that have gone on to play for the first team.”

For the moment though White is not looking much further ahead than the immediate future and is hoping to add to his goals tally for the remainder of his stay at Yate.

“It’s very early at the minute, it’s my first year as a professional,” he said. “Obviously the reserves disbanded this year so I’m pleased to be at Yate and getting some games so I’ll see where that takes me. I’m just looking forward to the next game at Banbury at the moment.”

“I would like to get some games under my belt and score some goals. I’ll see how it goes but I would be happy to stay at Yate if it was extended.”

His dad Steve enjoyed a distinguished career, scoring 83 league goals in over 200 appearances for Swindon Town as he helped them reach the Premier League in 1993 as well as enjoying two spells at Bristol Rovers, on one occasion switching to Luton Town for a fee of £200,000.

White junior was too young to remember much of his dad’s career but revealed he has had a positive influence on his own fledgling career. “He got a good career out of the game and scored lots of goals, and he’s always encouraging me and giving me advice so I look up to him,” he said.

White could start up front against Banbury with Yate leading goalscorer Dean Griffiths, who has recovered from illness which forced him off at half time against Merthyr.

Yate manager Richard Thompson said: “He staked his claim. He probably did not play as well (against Merthyr) as he did in the other games he came on but I cannot ask for any more than that and now he’s got a great chance of getting a start. I’ve got no fears if I throw him in.”

Should Joe White start for Yate on Saturday and how much potential has he got? Have your say below.