JACK DONOHUE is 18-years-old and represents Trafford FC. He is one of a number of talented young players that have been making their way through the Trafford FC Youth ranks over the last few years, and are now making an impression in the first team squad. Jack recently scored the winning penalty in the Premier Cup Quarter Final shootout at home to Glossop North End – a pressure cooker situation which didn’t phase the young man! Pete McGrath from the Trafford Media Team asked Jack a few questions a few days after that game…...

PM: So the 1st question has to be about how you've been with Trafford since you were a kid – from Trafford Youth to 1st team squad; An amazing journey. What age were you when you started playing for the Trafford badge and how did that come about?

JD: Steve Tobin has been a big part of the journey for me. Steve has coached me since I was about 4 years old. I was with Steve in the original Trafford Youth team that was previously at Meadowside. I was 9 years old at the time (when the team moved across) and ever since then I have played for Trafford .

PM: After going through grassroots football, very successfully, in the Timperley JFL, the team became Trafford's Youth Team/Under 18's in 2021 joining the North West Youth Alliance. It must have been a good feeling to make that progression into the realms of semi-pro Youth competitions?

JD: Yes, you could tell the difference in football compared to grass roots, and we had a great first season. We finished 2nd in the League (playing U18’s teams from other non-league/semi pro clubs).

PM: I remember the FA Youth cup game early on that season, in Shawe View. That was a great atmosphere - that must have been a real buzz too? (The team beat Glossop North End’s Youth Team 4-1 in the in front of nearly 350 spectators!)

JD: Yes the FA Youth cup was really good for us as a team. We prepared well, and to play in a cup like that with players you have played with for so long was a very good moment. Last season we did make it to the County Cup final however we unfortunately got beat. (Versus Altrincham at FC United’s Broadhurst Park stadium).

PM: Obviously the team has developed over the seasons, players come and go, but there's a core to the team that have been together for years & years, grown up together – yourself, Mackena, Niall Jordan, Matty Lusakueno, Jack Higgy, Will Burgess, Dexter and others – and we've seen those lads, particularly you, Mackena, Niall & Matty, make inroads into the first team. You seem to be top mates aswell – I guess you have a really good rapport with your team mates in that respect?

JD: Yes we have grown up together and we are all good friends. We all trust each other and are confident in one another.

PM: So what has it been like getting involved in the 1st team this season? Margy is a guy who clearly wants to develop young players, give them chances in the team, get them involved in the squad. He has a sprinkling of experienced players too – I guess you are learning so much from them?

JD: Being involved in the first team is a big step up compared to the U21s physically and mentally, and it’s good being around a team with a great bunch of lads – It does make it easier. The lads push you to the limit and they get 100 percent out of you. We train with them and we learn a lot from the senior players – we are always learning from them as they have the experience and the knowledge which they can pass onto younger players.

PM: So to the recent Premier Cup quarter final: You came on at half time if I remember rightly, had a good run out up front, got on the ball a few times, helped the team cause Glossop a few problems.... then it went to penalties. It transpired that you were the first of the "sudden death" penalties for Trafford, and you scored what proved to be the winner for us! What were your thoughts as you walked up to take that penalty?

JD: I mean I was nervous but I was confident in my ability to score the penalty, and my teammates helped me get through the nerves. When the whistle went I already knew where I was going to put the penalty. It was a great team effort.

PM: Sadly we went out in the Semi Final, but everyone's confident that under Margy and the players we have, the youngsters coming through, we will be winning things in the seasons to come. For you Jack, what are your hopes/targets moving forward with Trafford this season, next and beyond. Obviously you play regularly for our U21's, and I guess keep working hard, learning, knocking on the door of the first team when opportunities arrive?

JD: Yes that’s correct. For me, I’m working towards becoming a regular for the first team and to get my name out there. For the U21’s we have been performing all year round (currently 3rd in the league, 3 points off top spot) so hopefully we carry on and win trophies, but as I say, the main thing for me is to become a regular in the first team and help the club win trophies and progress in the right direction.

(Trafford’s U21’s are in the North West U21 Development League. You can follow their progress by clicking this link:

Trafford FC U21's

Jack Donohue seems like a sensible, hard-working young man, proud to represent this Club. With him and others like him, our future is secure! Thanks Jack for giving us your time!!