Wells: Follow my lead

Nahki Wells says he hopes he can inspire the next generation of Bermudian footballers to emulate his achievements in England.

Wells, 23, played his 100th Football League game last night in a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to playoff-chasing Nottingham Forest. 

Chances were limited for the Huddersfield Town striker, who has two goals in six games for the Terriers since making a club-record £1.3m move from League One Bradford City.

It was, though, only the first home league defeat in four for Town and while the front man finds his feet at the higher level, there is no doubting the impact his move into the Championship has had on his new fans as well as aspiring players on the island.

“All the attention I am getting is a bit weird, but it is nice at the same time,” Wells told the club’s match day magazine Give Us An H. “I still speak to all my friends and family back home and will always try and help them out. 

“To be labelled a superstar is strange, but apart from Reggie Lambe who is playing at Toronto, I am the only footballer from Bermuda who is doing well. 

“Hopefully the young Bermudians can see what I am doing and want to follow in my footsteps. It would be fantastic if they see me as a role model.”

Wells first caught the eye  at Dandy Town Hornets and praised the level of  football ability on the island.

He also remains in admiration of two Bermudian players that went before him — Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne — and continues to use the pair’s stellar careers in England as motivation for his own progress. “Football is an amateur sport in Bermuda but there are a lot of talented players,” he said. “Everyone loves the game but for the players it is just a hobby, it is very difficult to compare it with football in England. 

“There is a lot of raw talent but the players don’t understand the game like English footballers do.

 “Shaun Goater was someone that I aspired to be like, as was Kyle Lightbourne. 

“They both had good careers in England and they proved that it was possible to play at the highest level. 

“My aim is to reach the heights that they did and go beyond. It will be tough to replicate ‘Goats’ but if you don’t set your standards high, you won’t reach them.”

Last night’s game against Forest, which was won thanks to goals from Jamie Paterson (2) and Darius Henderson, showed the task facing Wells and his team-mates as they look to make themselves genuine playoff contenders. 

The performance, which left Town in 14th, did not impress manager Mark Robins.

“It was like men against boys,” he said. “They seemed to run faster, further and harder. 

“It’s disappointing to say that because it doesn’t happen often, but we were outplayed and outfought in every department.”

However, Wells, speaking before the game, is convinced he made the right choice
joining up with Town and their manager Mark Robins. “It was important that I moved somewhere that would offer me regular football. I clicked with Mark Robins the first time we met and we have a good relationship. 

“He believes that I can achieve a lot in the game and that gives me confidence.”