Wednesday 18 June 2003:

New deal at Man U for Jimmy

DAVID Beckham might be on his way out of Old Trafford but there is another promising right winger celebrating the award of a new three-year contract.

Former Arrow Vale High School student Jimmy Davis put pen to paper on a new deal yesterday (Tuesday) after his previous contract expired.

And the young attacker has had a double boost with the news his request for first team football will be granted by a season- long loan at first division Watford.

The 21-year-old has had opportunities limited at Old Trafford, with players like Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of him in the queue.

He made his first start for United in an early Worthington Cup exit to Arsenal two seasons ago and has been on the bench for United a couple of times in the Champions League and Premiership without playing.

Apart from a brief loan spell in Belgium, Davis has been establishing himself in the United Reserves under Brian McClair and enjoyed a successful three month loan to second division Swindon Town last season.

And he has been told this will be a make-or-break season by Sir Alex Ferguson.

"The manager said he would know by the end of the season whether I'll be able to cut it at United," said the Redditch export.

"This will be a big year and there will be pressure but I'm just going to try and enjoy it at Watford and play first team football."

Davis revealed he had been offered the chance to go straight into the first team for Watford's FA Cup semi final against Premiership Southampton last season but Sir Alex vetoed the move.

"The gaffer didn't want me to go," said Davis, "he said I was one of the Champions League group of players and he didn't want to lose me."

With a swathe of Premiership and Nationwide League players on the dole this summer, Davis has done well to earn improved terms and said he was delighted to sign for another three years.

"I'm very happy with the new deal," added the youngster, "it's given me security for the next three years and the chance to go out and get more first team football.

"Playing in the first team at Swindon was a whole new ball game and I can't wait to get to Watford for pre-season training."

Davis is a client of the First Artists group and agent Phil Smith has engineered a season-long loan at Vicarage Road.

The young wide man has been told Watford will give him the number seven shirt worn by Beckham and hopes to take inspiration from the England captain.

"I could never see him (Beckham) leaving United and thought he would be here for the rest of his career," said Davis.

"No doubt the gaffer will buy someone in to replace him but I'm hoping I can impress him enough this season."

And a good season for his new club could see Davis earn a call-up to David Platt's England under 21s.

The youngster has represented his country at every level up to under 20s

Wednesday 20 November 2002:

Bend it like... Davis

REDDITCH hotshot Jimmy Davis is inching nearer a dream Premiership debut for Man Utd and if called upon he will be asked to fill David Beckham's boots.

The 20-year-old has one of the toughest jobs in world football because he favours the right midfield position the England captain has made his own for United.

But Sir Alex Ferguson recalled Davis from a successful loan spell at Second Division Swindon Town last week and with Becks sidelined by a rib injury, Davis made his first Premiership squad as a non-playing substitute at West Ham on Sunday.

Another England star - Paul Scholes - pipped him for a place on the right but the versatile midfielder could be moved back into a more familiar central midfield berth with United struggling to keep pace with the leaders in the continued absence of injured skipper Roy Keane.

And if called upon, former Arrow Vale pupil Davis says he is ready after endearing himself to Swindon fans.

Any elevation to the Old Trafford first team is sure to catch the eye of England under 21s boss David Platt.

Davis is one of few players to have appeared for his country at every level so far and enjoyed a successful time with England under 20s last season.

He has yet to be called up this year because manager Les Reed is taking a look at the next generation of young hopefuls for friendly fixtures.

Davis is training his sights on Man Utd's reserve team fixture at home to Aston Villa tomorrow night (Thursday) but he will also have one eye on the visit of Sir Bobby Robson's Newcastle United on Saturday and will be hoping for at least a place on the bench.

Wednesday 13 November 2002:

Davis Champions League call

Former Redditch youngster Jimmy Davis has been recalled from his loan spell at Second Division Swindon Town.

While on a three month loan, Davis made his league debut and opened his Nationwide League goal account.

He has already appeared in the Man Utd first team for a Worthington Cup tie last season and could be handed a place on the bench for tonight's Champions League tie at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are already guaranteed a place in the second phase along with their German opponents.

"I don't know what sort of team Sir Alex will put out against Leverkusen because we are already through, but I have been called back early, so I am confident of making the squad," Davis told the Times, "Playing in Swindon's first-team has been a great experience."

The 19-year-old forward scored three goals in 14 games at the County Ground, swiftly becoming a fans' favourite during his three month loan spell.

And Robins manager Andy King has tipped him to break into the Man Utd first team before the end of the season.

Wednesday 21 August 2002:

Debut for Utd ace

MAN Utd ace Jimmy Davis is enjoying an eventful spell on loan to second division Swindon Town.

The former Redditch schoolboy moved to the County Ground on loan on the eve of the season in a bid for first team football.

First division Sheffield United were also interested but Davis followed Sir Alex Ferguson's advice and opted for the Robins instead where it was felt he stood more chance of first team action.

And the decision paid off with Davis making his league debut as a late substitute in the club's opening day 3-1 win at home to Barsnley.

The forward, who has starred for England at all levels up to his under 20s caps last season, came on at half time in the following Tuesday's 4-2 win at Chesterfield and made his first full league start in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Blackpool.

And with Swindon now out of administration and a surprise feature among the division's early pacesetters the move appears to have paid off.

Swindon manager Andy King told the club's swindontownfc.co.uk website "As for Jimmy Davis, well he's played here and there for us at the moment - but you'll certainly here a lot more about him in the future.

"The most refreshing thing about Jimmy is that he turned up at the club and just wanted to play football.

"There was no talk about money or contracts - he just wanted to play and in the current climate that's really refreshing."

Davis has played one game for United, a Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal last season but has seen his chances limited by the form of players like David Beckham, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan.

Wednesday 22 May 2002:

England miss with Davis out

ENGLAND'S youngsters finished fourth in the Toulon under 20 tournament after failing to score with Man Utd's Jimmy Davis left out.

Coach Martin Hunter stuck to his policy of involving all his squad and former Arrow Vale hotshot Davis was the victim for the third/fourth place play off.

The young lions completed the tournament without conceding a goal but lacked firepower against Japan as Davis, who has played at every level up to under 20s for his country, watched from the sidelines.

The match went to penalties with Chelsea's Leon Knight seeing the spot kick saved with the chance to win the shootout and Coventry's Craig Pead missing England's first penalty in sudden death to see the Japanese finish third.

Wednesday 15 May 2002:

Davis aims for third

ENGLAND under 20s bid for a place in the final of the Toulon tournament was frustrated by a 0-0 draw against group leaders Brazil in Frejus last night.

Former Arrow Vale hotshot Jimmy Davis and his teammates will play in Friday's third/fourth place play off.

Two wins and two draws saw England finish level with Brazil but miss out because of a goal difference four worse.

Thursday 21 March 2002:

United ace Davis at the double for England

FORMER Redditch schoolboy Jimmy Davis was celebrating last week after bagging his first brace in an England shirt.

The Man Utd forward hit two for England under 20s in their 3-0 win over Finland at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

And Davis, a regular alongside Trinidad and Tobago legend Dwight Yorke for the Old Trafford reserves, is hoping to secure some first team football in the Nationwide League if he can secure a loan deal before the transfer deadline on Friday, March 22.

"I have been told there have been inquiries from clubs at Division One or Division Two level but have not been told who they were," the 20-year-old hotshot told the Advertiser.

"I'm waiting for them to get back to me because I would like to get some first team experience.

"It's tough trying to get into the first team at Man United but you have to look at the situation and say I am learning my trade alongside the best.

"I have played with players like Dwight Yorke and Diego Forlan and am learning all the time.

"It's a matter of just working at it and hoping my chance will come."

Davis had a brief loan spell at Belgian top flight club Royal Antwerp under an agreement between the clubs last season but returned after three months.

The promising forward had his first taste of action for the Red Devils first team in the 4-0 Worthington Cup third round defeat to Arsenal in November.

Davis has appeared at all levels from under 15 to under 20 for his country and is hoping to earn a place in the squad to play in a mini World Cup tournament in Toulon in the summer.

The next England under 20 date is a friendly against Portugal.

Thursday 08 November 2001:

Davis makes Reds debut

FORMER Arrow Vale High School pupil Jimmy Davis made his full debut for Premier champions Man Utd on Monday.

Davis, 19, was part of a weakened team fielded by Sir Alex Ferguson against Arsenal in the Worthington Cup Third Round.

The England Youth International joined United as a trainee in July 1999 turning pro eight weeks later.

Davis made his debut for United in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham in the summer when the Champions fielded two teams on the same day.

He scored twice in ten appearances for the reserves last season.

But after a 4-0 defeat on Monday Davis only has to dislodge Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Scholes and Danny Webber for a regular place - good luck!

Wednesday 07 November 2001:

Man Utd debut for town-born Jimmy

BROMSGROVE-born Jimmy Davis made his first team debut for Manchester United on Monday in the Worthington Cup third round tie against Arsenal at Highbury.

Nineteen-year-old Davis, together with Lee Roche, made his first full competitive start for the club in United's 4-0 defeat.

England youth international Jimmy signed as a trainee with United on July 6 1999, and turned professional just eight weeks later on August 31.

During his second season in 2000/01, Davis made ten appearances and scored two goals for United's reserves.

Davis, who was a pupil at Arrow Vale High School in Redditch, first turned out for United's first team in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham. His squad number with the Red Devils is 36.