Joe Ackroyd in the Czech Republic

‘If you say you’re going to do something then just go and do it!’

They’re the words of a renowned ex-manager who I respect enormously, and with myself probably being not quite as wired up right as that particular gaffer, it sometimes results in doing things which others might consider to be crazy.

So when Joe Ackroyd joined MFK Vyškov in the Czech Republic Second Division on loan a few weeks ago, I made the promise to fly out and watch a game at some point.

Joe Ackroyd on his debut (Photo: MFK Vyškov).

It’d have been easy to make excuses - especially in the middle of a pandemic and with all the extra paperwork ‘faff’ that a trip abroad entails at this moment (especially with passenger locator forms which takes ages to do but, it seems, nobody bothers to check anyway!) but I’ve stuck by what I said and flew out to Central Europe last weekend.

Only things didn’t quite work out as I’d planned where the game was concerned!

That’s because after a 1,000+ mile trip - including a night in Leeds-Bradford Airport, a flight to Slovakia and then a bus from Bratislava to Brno, ‘Ackers’ was an unused substitute as Vyškov were beaten 2-0 by SK Líšen. 

You can either laugh or cry, and I’ve already had a few pelters, but you can always rely on me to be true to provide someone with a kiss of death!

Despite my ‘Grim Reaper’ style, having been with Vyškov for around a month now (including for their ‘winter break’ trip to Turkey), he’s already made his competitive debut - coming on as a sub for the last 20 minutes as they beat Opava on Saturday. He’s also perhaps got the highest squad number in Czech football at present, having been given the No.77 shirt which I suppose is twice as good as wearing the No.7 shirt!

I’d initially planned to go to that game against Opava but by the time I got round to booking flights, they’d rocketed in price so I opted to get the next flight and just go to only the one game instead.

Again, you can laugh or cry, or just absolutely batter me with that facepalm emoji!

Luckily, I have seen Joe Ackroyd play before so for anyone who isn’t clued up on him then he is a dependable and hard-working midfielder who has numerous positive facets to his game. In addition, those I’ve spoken to - from old team-mates to coaches, have all said he’s got the best and most relentless attitude you could ever wish for in a young player.

It shows because what he lacks in height he makes up for in courage, desire and determination. He’s a proper grafter who can put a tackle in when it’s necessary and do the ‘dirty work’ in a game. That is complimented by good technical qualities - he can read a game exceptionally well and always be positionally aware, his out-of-possession work is usually of a high standard (something I’ll always look for in a player!), he can thread intelligent passes through to others as well as supplementing attacks in a decent way. Overall, there’s a good structure and psyche within him to do alright for himself!

It’s easy to spot a promising player a mile off; Barnsley have a few good ones right now who are on the periphery of establishing themselves, and Ackers is up there with the best.

He won’t rest on his laurels because he is ‘Mr Barnsley’ - the town personified, and with the broadest Yorkshire accent that anyone could possibly have, there’s no way he’ll ever go ‘big time’ as is sometimes what can happen to young players. He’s down to earth, proper, and a good player!

It’s a shame that he didn’t get any minutes against SK Líšen because he could definitely have made a difference. Although Vyškov weren’t poor by any stretch (they had a few decent chances), they were second-best for large parts against opponents who are in second position in the league, full of confidence and flying!

Vyškov perhaps lacked a little bit of composure and cohesion in certain areas but there was an intensity to the game on the whole (along with some over-done play-acting!) and it was a step up from U23s football. He’d have certainly benefited from exposure to things; it didn’t happen this time but he’s certainly good enough to force his way into Vyškov’s team (which will probably change now after a defeat) and then maintain a place in the long-term.

I trust what he can offer and I’ve got huge amounts of respect for any young player coming through and taking their first steps into senior football - even more so when it’s 1,000 miles from home in a foreign land. It’s definitely a lot different to a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic or FC United (or whoever) where you can be back home within two hours of the final whistle. There’s so many challenges and character tests; culturally, getting to grips with the language, being away from friends/family, plus also the style of football, and I’ll be rooting for him throughout this loan spell and checking every week to see how he’s getting on.

Barnsley’s academy has produced quite a few players in recent years who are capable of all having reasonable careers. 

Amongst those I rate highly, there’s some who’ve flown the nest including Adam Lund (nowadays at Alfreton causing mayhem with his long-throws) to the more recent crop such as Jasper Moon (who is a reliable and solid defender), Jason Sraha (named in the ‘Team Of The Week’ on his Conference North debut for Guiseley last month), Jordan Helliwell (who I’ll always back to the hilt - especially if he has a post-pandemic loan out in Scandinavia again!), plus others like Lewis Cunningham and Fin Shrimpton who were released before the U18s but went elsewhere and worked hard to earn their pathway into senior football.

They’re all good and down to earth lads and my hope is that things work out well individually for all of them, and they ultimately get the rewards their abilities and attitudes deserve.

Vyškov play FC Mas Táborsko (halfway between Brno and Prague) in an away fixture on Sunday afternoon, but the good news for Joe is I’ll be back in England by then - and that means there’s a much greater likelihood of getting some minutes!

Good luck!

All the photos below are from SK Líšen’s stadium. The attendance was about 500 and I’m not sure how that away end (the Gillingham of the Czech Republic) got it’s safety certificate!