Stevens hoping to show off talent

Striker Jarred Stevens hopes to use AFC Telford United as a shop window to display his precocious talents on a competitive stage.

The 18-year-old has agreed non-contract terms at Telford after failing to earn a deal with Championship big guns Birmingham City - and went straight into the squad for this afternoon's Blue Square North opener at Stalybridge Celtic.

But his stay may yet prove a brief one, with a host of clubs further up the footballadder believed to be considering a move for the teenager.

Bucks boss Rob Smith moved quickly to get him at the New Bucks Head, but has already stated that he would not stand in the marksman's way if the opportunity arose to go pro once more.

"I had a phone call out of the blue asking if I would fancy coming to have a look at the club and I was up for it," said Stevens.

"They said they'd like to offer me a deal and I agreed to join because it seems like a good place.

"Hopefully I can start a few games and score a few goals and we'll see what happens then.

"I still believe I'm good enough to make it as a pro and I hope I can come to Telford and build my way up the leagues."

The Cannock-based ace began his career at Stoke before following coach Mike Pejic to Plymouth and continuing his football education in Devon.

A hat-trick against Birmingham in the FA Youth Cup brought him to the attention of the Blues and he was invited to spend pre-season with the St Andrews outfit.

But, despite impressing over the last few weeks, an offer was not forthcoming.

"They told me they wanted to get back into the Premier League and they've got strikers like Kevin Phillips and Marcus Bent so if they signed me I wouldn't get into the first team," he added.

"There's no point in that so they let me go and I had no problem with that."