JOSIAH Dyer says being the son of a Barnsley legend does not put any pressure on him and his motivation is to beat his father’s goals record for the Reds.
Bruce Dyer netted 70 times for the Oakwell club between 1998 and 2003 then settled in the town where Josiah has grown up and come through the academy. The 18-year-old has been a key player in the under 18s side that won the Professional Development League over the weekend.
He told the Chronicle: “It helps having a father who played the game in the same position. It helps with the mental side of the game which is probably the most important.
“It doesn’t bring any pressure.
“My dad always says I am different to him as a human and a player.
“I don’t want to copy my dad.
“If anything it is a motivation to go and beat his record. If I manage to break into the first team, that will be my goal.”
Dyer junior’s journey at Barnsley has not always been easy.
Academy manager Bobby Hassell said: “He was nearly released by previous coaches aged 12 but Ben Mansford (then chief executive) kept him out of respect for his dad. He has that knack of scoring goals which you can’t coach and, recently, he’s been really consistent with his hold-up play and aerial play. He’s scored more than 20 goals for the under 18s and 21s, and 13 have been headers. The Jamaica under 20s are interested in him.”
Dyer has been coached in the under 18s by his dad’s former Reds team-mate Nicky Eaden.
Josiah said: “He’s been top. He’s got a really good relationship with everyone.
“With him having such a good career, it helps with how he speaks to us.
“His advice has been what has helped us this season – especially with his winning mentality.”
Josiah made his first team debut earlier in the season at Doncaster in the EFL Trophy with the fans immediately chanting his name. He said: “It was a really good experience. Everything from the fans to being around the changing room.
“It was an amazing feeling to get on the pitch for the first team.”
On winning the league with the under 18s, Josiah said: “They are memories we will have for life – when the final whistle blew and all the hard work we had put in paid off."
