Jennings Destined For Great Things
By Sam Robinson
November 11 2010
With exciting youngster Dale Jennings currently the name on the lips of every Rovers fan, Sam Robinson takes a look at the story so far and in particular the last few weeks which have been something of a whirlwind for the player since making his first team debut......
When Dale Jennings burst onto the scene against Charlton on September 18th, little under two months ago, few would have predicted that his rise to prominence amongst the Tranmere Rovers squad would come so soon.
Since his debut, Jennings has grown into a key asset for Tranmere despite playing only ten games for the first team. His first goal for the club came away to Bristol Rovers; the only goal in a 1-0 win for Tranmere. He followed that up a month later with a brace against MK Dons in a man of the match performance to celebrate being given his first professional contract which runs until 2012.
Upon signing the contract, Jennings said, “It is a great day for me, all apprentices dream of the day they sign their first professional contract. I’m really pleased the club has given me this opportunity and hopefully I can repay them on the pitch.”
The seventeen year-old top-scored for the reserve and youth teams after joining Tranmere’s Centre of Excellence as an under-sixteen with nineteen goals and already has five goals for the reserve team this campaign.
With blistering pace to go with trickery, Jennings has the key assets to make a good winger as proven against MK Dons when right-back Danny Woodards was withdrawn after twenty-five minutes due to being unable to cope with Jennings – a testament to his performance that day.
Whilst being a fresh new talent, there is an air of unpredictability surrounding Jennings for the opposition. However, the real test of his talent is to come as, over the coming weeks as teams begin to learn about Dale, he will need to find new ways of beating his man and contributing to the team success.
If he is doubled-up on, it leaves space for another player elsewhere on the field which can only benefit Tranmere so even if he doesn’t have an impact on the game with his feet then his movement could also be key for the Whites.
As Dale progresses he will attract scouts from clubs across the land and he would do well to keep his feet on the ground given the hype surrounding him. He would do well to listen to an experienced professional like Ian Thomas-Moore, a veteran of the game in comparison to most of the Tranmere squad, to improve his all-round game.
Some Tranmere fans say it is about time we had another quality player come off the production line as the days of Ryan Taylor, Jason Koumas and Iain Hume are long-gone for the Wirral club. If Jennings can realise his potential he will surely demand a large fee and emulate the successes of the likes of Taylor and Koumas.
This article first appeared on Sam's own Blog Webpage which can be found HERE and we are indebted to him for allowing it to subsequently appear on Total Tranmere.
Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Total Tranmere (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 17:55
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Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: TT Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 18:02
Great piece Sam and thanks for letting us publish it!
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 19:51
I would say in response to the comments about Jennings, being comparable in prospects, to Taylor, Koumas and Hume, that I would actually list the likes of Collister, Cresswell and Stockton in that bracket too 
.
I think Tranmere have had some of the best crop of young players coming through in a long time. Players that look destined to progress, rather than play their early years or possibly their whole careers, lower down the system.
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I think Tranmere have had some of the best crop of young players coming through in a long time. Players that look destined to progress, rather than play their early years or possibly their whole careers, lower down the system.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: DevonExile (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 20:06
Producing players is our only real hope of finding quality for we cannot compete for experienced quality. The key thing is to ensure that where there is emerging potential that we have a watertight contract to ensure that we sell on rather than dependent on tribunal fees
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 20:33
I agree. I was a little dissapointed to see Oldham get £200,000 for someone that Bolton bought. I think they deserve 2x that for him and frankly why should Tranmere get some crappy tribunal fee for platyers like Cresswell and Jennings of £300,000 or less, with some dumb clause that Tranmere get 75% more than that, if the player gets 50+ games for his new club, which they then won't get, when the club gives the player around 45 games in 2-3 years then sell him on.
Tranmere have a right to expect £500,000 at least for such new players and much as I'd be loathed ot see them go, if the chance to boost the wage budget and build was there, it would be necessary.
Hopefully such players would be like Moore and return one day, when still in good enough nick, for regular games in a Tranmere shirt.
Tranmere have a right to expect £500,000 at least for such new players and much as I'd be loathed ot see them go, if the chance to boost the wage budget and build was there, it would be necessary.
Hopefully such players would be like Moore and return one day, when still in good enough nick, for regular games in a Tranmere shirt.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Kop Man Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2010 23:13
if i was Jennings i would stay at tranmere for a few more years, if he goes to a championship club he'll only play for the researves league for what more money ? its about the same as the scottish league.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/11/2010 19:06
True enough, the SPs is a bit like having 2 Europa Cup sides, 6 championship playoff sides, a championship struggling team ands a League 1 playoff side, in the same league.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: liggs001 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/11/2010 11:18
dale has got a future and it should be with us some of the young lads coming through have also got a chance stockton,vaulks, conchie although hes out injured this season and appleton why not keep them
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/11/2010 21:16
Keeping them would be great, but the way the club is run, if in 2 years Tranmere got an offer of something like 1,500,000 for Jennings, (hopefully with a fee release clause in his contract), he would almsot certainly go, as I worked out based on current spending, that the money could allow Les to spend approximately up to £2,500 a week for upto 5-6 players for around 3 seasons, before it ran out, assuming pretty much all the money went on wages.
By then players like Cresswell Collister and Stockton, could be sold for tidy amounts, (though not necessarily as much), which would permit the increased budget to remain pretty much as was, especially if the team were finishing higher up the table and making more prize money.
Frankly having that much money wouldn't be a megabucks wage allowance, but beggers can't be choosers and if in 2 years, Tranmere could get a few players for £1,500-£2,500 a week wage payments, it would be better for overall strength in depth and possible to then compensate for what Jennings wouldn't give the team any more.
By then players like Cresswell Collister and Stockton, could be sold for tidy amounts, (though not necessarily as much), which would permit the increased budget to remain pretty much as was, especially if the team were finishing higher up the table and making more prize money.
Frankly having that much money wouldn't be a megabucks wage allowance, but beggers can't be choosers and if in 2 years, Tranmere could get a few players for £1,500-£2,500 a week wage payments, it would be better for overall strength in depth and possible to then compensate for what Jennings wouldn't give the team any more.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: BELMONT (IP Logged)
Date: 13/11/2010 23:05
I can see him moving on at some point but we hope rather than a quick move out of P.P for some £200000+ now(Jan 2011) if he keeps scoring and playing like he is but to hold on to him for at least to the end of the season and perhaps into next season and if he has got what it takes when and if he goes he will go for more £800000 + plus sell on % ect,I know we(the club)can not stop him moving in the future (money talks)but if Les can keep Dale`s feet on the ground in the short term (next 12 months)the better for the Rovers money wise and better experience for Dale.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: daveyc (IP Logged)
Date: 14/11/2010 05:41
I think it is a little premature to be speculating on Dale's future now. He only signed professionally a few months ago, and yes, he has burst onto the scene since then - 9 of our 19 points are entirely down to him - but let's be realistic, scouts might be keeping tabs on him, but at the moment 4 goals at L1 level and a few assists isn't going to make the big boys come down to PP and watch him.
Personally, I think Les needs to make sure, providing he maintains his current level of development that we tie him to a longer, improved deal at the end of the current season. Let's learn from the Thornton, Davies scenarios and not wait around. 5 year contract, plus big incentives. That automatically drives up his value and gives Tranmere more bargaining power - simple sports economics Pj!
Same goes for Joe and Aaron.
Also, on the grapevine, ITM is supposedly doing a few UEFA coaching courses - future manager???
Personally, I think Les needs to make sure, providing he maintains his current level of development that we tie him to a longer, improved deal at the end of the current season. Let's learn from the Thornton, Davies scenarios and not wait around. 5 year contract, plus big incentives. That automatically drives up his value and gives Tranmere more bargaining power - simple sports economics Pj!
Same goes for Joe and Aaron.
Also, on the grapevine, ITM is supposedly doing a few UEFA coaching courses - future manager???
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: bigmart (IP Logged)
Date: 14/11/2010 09:39
davey we cant afford to put anybody on a 5 year contract no matter how good they are. Big clubs will be already taking notice of and keeping an eye on dale even if hes only played a handfull of games just look at the likes of shelvey going to liverpool.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: jade-trfc (IP Logged)
Date: 15/11/2010 13:22
if rotheram can expect 3mil for there stricker we geting atleast 1.5mil for dale
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: bigmart (IP Logged)
Date: 15/11/2010 13:46
jade hwat rotherham expect & what they are likely to get will be two different things.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 15/11/2010 13:51
If Rotherham get 3 million for Le Fondre, I'd like 2 million for ITM and 5 million for Dale.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 15/11/2010 19:15
Rotherham won't get £3,000,000 for Le Fondre. Maybe £1,000,000 perhaps, like Huddersfield did for Jonathan Stead.
Rotherham might possibly get £3,000,000 for the whole first team, but nobody would sell all ther best 11 players.
I'm wondering if Ronnie Moore is starting to show symptoms, of whatever Roberto Mancini is suffering with. If Ronnie starts saying at some point he could sign Torres, I'll know he's got the Mancini disease bad
.
Unless he was referring to Sergio Torres of Crawley Town, in which case yeah maybe.
Rotherham might possibly get £3,000,000 for the whole first team, but nobody would sell all ther best 11 players.
I'm wondering if Ronnie Moore is starting to show symptoms, of whatever Roberto Mancini is suffering with. If Ronnie starts saying at some point he could sign Torres, I'll know he's got the Mancini disease bad
.
Unless he was referring to Sergio Torres of Crawley Town, in which case yeah maybe.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Mighty White (IP Logged)
Date: 16/11/2010 09:43
It was reported on the radio this morning that Jennings was watched by Everton, Fulham & Sunderland on saturday. We could do with keeping him for the rest of this season at least.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY WHITES
COME ON YOU MIGHTY WHITES
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Trevor Charles. (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2010 09:06
How quickly we forget Ashton Taylor. He has the physical presence to play in the Championship if not the Premier League. Lets hope he comes back from inury even stronger.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: jade-trfc (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2010 11:18
i cant find any real trust worthy sources but did dale play for liverpool and has anyone got a link please
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: @gony (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2010 22:47
great shout Trev
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: cadburygorilla (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 08:15
dale was at liverpool but they got rid of him after an incident.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Kirkby (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 11:20
I can't see how we are going to get major money for Jennings for several reasons.
Firstly it could be argued he's raised the bar too early for his own good. Craig Curran anyone?
I'm not saying Dale will be another Curran, but he'll find it hard to maintain his current form.
It's imperative we use him correctly, more so for his own benefit, rather the short term benefit of points on a Saturday.
If he's as good we all think he is then over cooking him won't help.
Hume was used sparingly at times. Frustrating at the time, but probably for the best, with hindsight.
Another point is, there isn't a great deal of money in football these days.
Premier League clubs like ready made player that can go straight into the first team. The few English/British kids they sign for big clubs have so many clause's in their contracts that it's really hard to fathom out how much the selling club actually make. Simmo to Everton spring to mind, but more recently the Taylor and Koumas deals were dependent on certain things.
We'd get a small fee with add on's. Appearances, future transfers etc
And no doubt he'd rot away in a bigger clubs reserves and end up being loaned out left, right and centre.
If he went to a Championship club the fee wouldn't be massive. Talk of seven figure transfer fee's are ridiculous, and even that sort of deal would have so many add on's in the Championship.
I honestly believe if we sold him today, we wouldn't get more than £300,000 up front.
That's market forces.
Personally I want to see him develop at Tranmere, and if he's good enough he'll get his move eventually
I know money is everything in football, but if and when he's ready I hope he moves for footballing reasons too, and we make a few quid to aid our survival.
Firstly it could be argued he's raised the bar too early for his own good. Craig Curran anyone?
I'm not saying Dale will be another Curran, but he'll find it hard to maintain his current form.
It's imperative we use him correctly, more so for his own benefit, rather the short term benefit of points on a Saturday.
If he's as good we all think he is then over cooking him won't help.
Hume was used sparingly at times. Frustrating at the time, but probably for the best, with hindsight.
Another point is, there isn't a great deal of money in football these days.
Premier League clubs like ready made player that can go straight into the first team. The few English/British kids they sign for big clubs have so many clause's in their contracts that it's really hard to fathom out how much the selling club actually make. Simmo to Everton spring to mind, but more recently the Taylor and Koumas deals were dependent on certain things.
We'd get a small fee with add on's. Appearances, future transfers etc
And no doubt he'd rot away in a bigger clubs reserves and end up being loaned out left, right and centre.
If he went to a Championship club the fee wouldn't be massive. Talk of seven figure transfer fee's are ridiculous, and even that sort of deal would have so many add on's in the Championship.
I honestly believe if we sold him today, we wouldn't get more than £300,000 up front.
That's market forces.
Personally I want to see him develop at Tranmere, and if he's good enough he'll get his move eventually
I know money is everything in football, but if and when he's ready I hope he moves for footballing reasons too, and we make a few quid to aid our survival.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: ivvy (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 11:42
Quote:Mighty White
It was reported on the radio this morning that Jennings was watched by Everton, Fulham & Sunderland on saturday. We could do with keeping him for the rest of this season at least.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY WHITES
Yeah, clubs with no money, certainly not mega bucks which now goes for most of the premiership.
My bet, with PJ in mind, will be "for an undisclosed fee "
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: cadburygorilla (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 17:56
Disagree with some points above, with all the home grown rules coming in Good english players are now worth even more!!
Comparing Jenno and curran is like comparing ronaldo to bas savage, the kid has the class but from his past history could go down the thornton route if he doesn't keep his head screwed on.
Anything less than a million would be our board making yet another cock up.
Look at what Delph's fee was when he left leeds, dawson from rochdale. Dale is a player who impacts the game more than them 2 and as a result should command a higher fee.
Comparing Jenno and curran is like comparing ronaldo to bas savage, the kid has the class but from his past history could go down the thornton route if he doesn't keep his head screwed on.
Anything less than a million would be our board making yet another cock up.
Look at what Delph's fee was when he left leeds, dawson from rochdale. Dale is a player who impacts the game more than them 2 and as a result should command a higher fee.
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matthew the rover (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 18:29
To add to that list Cadburygorilla, Walcott to Arsenal and Bale to Spurs...
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: tranmerepete (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 19:47
I got told something by some one who knows his agent . He told me that his agent expect a deal to be done by the summer for a fee of 1 million. Beckford was going to go to Everton for 1 million be for he run out his contract. As said young English players are now starting too become back in the frame with the new rules. We have just signed Dale on a two year deal and the Davis deal he had no contract that's why we did not get big money for him. They will have to pay us good money to take him away..........................................
Every ball is a white ball............TRFC
Every ball is a white ball............TRFC
Re: Jennings Destined For Great Things
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2010 20:35
Agreed. I commented some time back on some Oldham player being bought by Bolton this season for £200,000. I think he should have been bought for 2x the amount. Though that's what big clubs can do these days sometimes. play the system ot their advantage.
That's the kind of money clubs like Tranmere could have to pay these days for top Conference strikers.
I read somewhere if I read correctly regarding Steve Davis, Tranmere got £250,000, then supposedly £275,000 on appearances and a sell on fee of £250,000 IF he was sold within 3 years.
So potentially a £775,000 deal that could be worth the £250,000 initial fee, when Derby work the system to their advantage.
If he had to play 50 games to release the £275,000, they could easily give him about 45 games in 3 and a bit years, then sell him and Tranmere would get either fee.
Annoying, as the way they were playing that season, the team looked pretty solid certs for promotion and Tranmere would have gotten a vastly better deal for him and held on to players like Coyne and Kay in the long-term, but Davis's injury put the mochas on a superb season.
I also think Tranmere got around £1,250,000 for Ryan Taylor, if I read correctly, so why not a big fee for Jennings too?
Hopefully judging by a few of the youth team reports I've read here, if Jennings leaves, Stockton could at some point replace him. He scored 3 in the Stockport 4-1 youth game didn't he and 2 in the previous game?
That's the kind of money clubs like Tranmere could have to pay these days for top Conference strikers.
I read somewhere if I read correctly regarding Steve Davis, Tranmere got £250,000, then supposedly £275,000 on appearances and a sell on fee of £250,000 IF he was sold within 3 years.
So potentially a £775,000 deal that could be worth the £250,000 initial fee, when Derby work the system to their advantage.
If he had to play 50 games to release the £275,000, they could easily give him about 45 games in 3 and a bit years, then sell him and Tranmere would get either fee.
Annoying, as the way they were playing that season, the team looked pretty solid certs for promotion and Tranmere would have gotten a vastly better deal for him and held on to players like Coyne and Kay in the long-term, but Davis's injury put the mochas on a superb season.
I also think Tranmere got around £1,250,000 for Ryan Taylor, if I read correctly, so why not a big fee for Jennings too?
Hopefully judging by a few of the youth team reports I've read here, if Jennings leaves, Stockton could at some point replace him. He scored 3 in the Stockport 4-1 youth game didn't he and 2 in the previous game?
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