By Matt Badcock
Peter Adeniyi says Carshalton Athletic plan on giving more players like Mickel Miller the platform to achieve their professional dreams – and is confident the Robins can maintain their promotion push even without their talented 25-goal striker.
Miller, 21, has progressed from the Bostik South club’s academy to first team star and his performances have seen him join SPL side Hamilton Academical on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee.
Player-boss Adeniyi will now have to cope without his in-form goal getter, but says Miller deserves his big break into the pro ranks.
“We are absolutely delighted for the boy, the chairman Paul Dipre more so than anyone else,” Adeniyi told The NLP. “He’s seen the kid come through the youth system and believed in him.
“He’s been a fantastic, fantastic, player for the club – I can’t speak highly enough of the kid. The advice you give him he takes on board and tries to implement it as quickly as he can.
“I knew he would go eventually. He’s obviously a massive loss for the team, but it creates an opportunity for somebody else to take the mantle and drive us forward.
“We were happy to let him go because we know we have a squad capable of pushing for promotion.
“The chairman’s ambition is two-fold. To get the club as far as we possibly can. When I took over, a big part of my interview was my thoughts on youth development.
Philosophy
“With my background and being at Dulwich, a club that likes to push players on, I’m a big believer in giving players a platform to express themselves and hopefully progress.
“Our philosophy is if we have someone do what Mickel has done, all that does is attract more players like him to our club to give the same opportunities.
“You’re always sad to lose a player like Mickel but at the same time it’s what we want to be known for.”
Adeniyi’s side are in the thick of an exciting title race with the runners-up also promoted to Step 3 as part of the National League System’s 2018-19 restructure.
“I love it,” Adeniyi said. “I said to the players, ‘This is what you work for’. From July when pre-season starts it’s to put yourself in a position like this.
“For me, there’s no pressure whatsoever. It’s something you should enjoy because this is what playing football should be all about. Enjoy it and grasp it.
“Personally I don’t get nervous about these situations, I relish it and that’s what I say to our players. This is what you work for and you have trained to put yourself in this position, there’s no point getting nervous.
“We had a young squad last year and we came close to the play-offs. This season you can see they love being up there. They want to be successful, do well for the club and themselves.”
And the midfielder, who turned 38 last month, joked his squad’s enthusiasm is like anti-ageing cream when it comes to pulling his boots on.
“They are keeping me young,” the former Dulwich Hamlet man said. “I say to them, ‘I wish I was ten years younger,’ because I’m loving being part of this group.
“I’ve tried to manage myself this season in terms of games. I’m not 23 anymore and I think I’ve been smart with listening to my body to keep myself fresh.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday
