Luton fans who missed the debut of new signing Matt Robinson on Monday need only search the Internet for his self made video –a clips package the midfielder had hoped might showcase his talents in the USA before the Hatters came calling.
The 18-year-old prospect was released by the Leicester City Academy at the end of last season but he’d already made contingency plans with a video highlights package, just as ex-England star Owen Hargreaves had done when Manchester United released him.
Robinson said: “The reason I did it was because there was a point last year where I was not doing particularly well in the youth team at Leicester.
“I was quite bright in my college work and people were saying, ‘Why don’t you consider going to America?’
“I said, ‘How? No-one has ever seen me play.’ All the games are filmed for statistics and analysis so the video guy at Leicester said he’d put together my clips.
“I used to see him every week and analyse my own performance game
anyway and he put a montage of all my best clips together, so I could send it off.
“I put in on YouTube to be viewed, but it’s nice for people to be able to see it.”
Now the teenager is hoping to repay Luton boss Paul Buckle’s faith in him after he penned a two-year contract following a stand out showing in the 1-0 win over Hitchin on Monday.
The manager said: “Matt is a real prospect –it’s not often I will give out
two year contracts to an 18-year-old.”
Robinson replied: “I’m thankful he’s given me this opportunity. He’s done his part in giving me the contract and it’s up to me to prove why I got it.”
Robinson is no stranger to his new club as he trained with the Hatters at the back end of last term after Under-18s boss Paul Driver had seen him play for the Foxes Academy at Fulham.
He also revealed that his mother is also a Hatters fan and he said: “My mum is a Luton supporter – she is from Harpenden, which isn’t too far away.
“She’s told me about how she used to get off the train at Leagrave and walk down Dunstable Road to the stadium, so I know a bit about the club.
“They’ve got a big history, they are a big club and to get back to the Football League is the main aspiration for this season.”
