Jhai Singh Dhillon
Jhai Singh Dhillon (born 2 April 1995) is a footballer who plays for Redditch United. Dhillon is also currently an international footballer representing the Panjab football team.
Career[edit]
Chelsea FC[edit]
Dhillon was the winner of Chelsea's inaugural search for an Asian Soccer Star competition aged just 14 in 2009.[1]
Stevenage FC[edit]
Shortly after leaving Chelsea Dhillon signed for Stevenage, progressing through the clubs youth system. He Captained the Under 16 side and was subsequently offered a scholarship at the club in 2010, which he accepted.
During the 2012/2013 season, Dhillon made his first appearance in a first team fixture aged 17 and also scored in a 5-0 Win against Sawbridgeworth.[2] In January Dhillon was loaned out to Southern league Premier side Hitchin Town FC on a one-month loan agreement which was then extended to three months.[3] He was a regular starter during his loan spell and was instrumental in helping Hitchin Town to avoid relegation, making 12 appearances in all and contributing with 1 goal and 6 assists, his goal came in a 2-1 home defeat against Weymouth.[4]
Shortly after returning to his parent club at the end of the season, Dhillon signed a one-year contract with Stevenage, in June 2013, which was his first professional deal.[5]
At the start of the 2013/2014 season Dhillon was recognised for his personal achievements in the previous season and nominated for Young Footballer of the year award, at the Asian Football Awards.[6]
Another successful loan spell followed for Dhillon, this time at Royston Town, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
At the end of the 2013/14 season Dhillon was released from Stevenage following the clubs relegation to league 2 along with 15 other professional players.
Dhillon signed for Barton for the 2014/2015 season, which turned out to be the most successful in the clubs existence. Dhillon was central to the clubs progress which eventually culminated in winning the Bedfordshire Senior Cup and narrowly losing out 2-0 in the play-off final to Bedworth.
Hayes & Yeading FC[edit]
In the summer of 2015 Dhillon signed for Conference South League side Hayes & Yeading United F.C.. Dhillon made his league debut for Hayes & Yeading United F.C. in a 0-0 draw with Gosport Borough F.C.. He then followed this up with two further appearances and clean sheets for the National League South side against Bishop's Stortford F.C. (0-0 draw) and Concord Rangers F.C. (3-0 away win). Dhillon's performances for Hayes & Yeading United F.C. led to an approach from Slough Town F.C. and in September 2015 Dhillon opted to join the Berkshire-based side.
Slough Town FC[edit]
Dhillon was named man of the match on his debut for Slough Town F.C. in September 2015 and went on to make 26 appearances for the club during the 2015/16 season.[7]
Panjab football team[edit]
Following Dhillon's performances during the 2015/16 season, he was called up to represent Panjab football team in December 2015 and made his international debut the same month, starting in a 4-1 win against Chagos Islands national football team.
ConIFA World Cup[edit]
Dhillon's performances at both club and national team level earned him a place in the Panjab football team squad for the 2016 ConIFA World Football Cup. Dhillon was instrumental in his country's run to the final, in which they topped their group, before playing Western Armenia national football team in the quarter-final, and Padania national football team in the semi-final. Victory saw them face the hosts, Abkhazia national football team in the final, where they led until the 88th minute before losing on penalties. Following the tournament Dhillon was named as player of the tournament for Panjab football team.
Notts County FC[edit]
During pre season ahead of the 2016/17 season Dhillon was invited to trial with EFL League Two side Notts County F.C. following his displays for both club and country during the 2015/16 season. Dhillon played three pre-season friendlies in total, including two man of the match displays [8] and a solid performance against Nottingham Forest F.C. when he was up against Scotland national football team winger Oliver Burke.[9]
During his trial period Dhillon's performances and attitude impressed manager John Sheridan (footballer) and his assistant Mark Crossley who were keen to sign the youngster, however due to the EFL League Two side's financial position a deal was unable to be made.
Redditch United FC[edit]
During the 2016/17 season Dhillon signed for Southern Football League side Redditch United F.C. who are currently managed by former Aston Villa F.C., Walsall F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. striker Darren Byfield. By joining Redditch United F.C. Dhillon also teamed up with his national team manager and former Oldham Athletic A.F.C. captain Reuben Hazell who is part of the coaching staff at Redditch United F.C..
Dhillon made an instant impact on his debut for Redditch United F.C. by scoring a brace in a 4-2 loss against Hitchin Town F.C..[10]
Dhillon continued his flying start to life at Redditch United F.C. by helping his side to follow up with two clean sheets in his next two appearances for the Southern Football League side, against Basingstoke Town F.C. (1-0 away win) and local rivals Banbury United F.C. (0-0).
Futsal[edit]
Prior to joining Stevenage Dhillon was a keen futsal player and became the youngest ever debutant to turn out for KFA (Khalsa Football Academy) against Valencia C.F aged just 14.
After leaving Stevenage in 2014 Dhillon was free to participate in futsal again, playing for the KFA this time helping them to win the KFA futsal fives league while also being named player of the league.[11]
Dhillon was also part of the team that progressed to the National futsal Cup in 2014. He is now an ambassador for the Khalsa Football Academy.
References[edit]
- ↑ http://www.kickitout.org/news/chelseas-asian-star-winner-lands-professional-contract/#.VZvYhflViko
- ↑ "Boro 5 Sawbridgeworth 0 - News - Stevenage Football Club". www.stevenagefc.com.
- ↑ http://www.hitchintownfc.co.uk/articles/weekly_articles/20130110050287044778.shtml
- ↑ "THE TERRAS". THE TERRAS.
- ↑ "YOUNGSTERS GET PRO DEALS - News - Stevenage Football Club". www.stevenagefc.com.
- ↑ http://www.kickitout.org/news/asian-football-awards-to-take-place-at-wembley/#.VZvZs_lViko
- ↑ "Slough Town FC". www.sloughtownfc.net.
- ↑ http://www.nottinghampost.com/notts-county-boss-john-sheridan-to-take-a-good-look-at-trialist-jhai-dhillon/story-29521830-detail/story.html
- ↑ "John Sheridan to enter talks with Notts County trialist Jhai Dhillon". Pride of Nottingham (Notts County Community).
- ↑ "No joy on the road for United".
- ↑ "Home". Norwich Evening News.
This article "Jhai Singh Dhillon" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Jhai Singh Dhillon. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
