by Datti Jinkiri
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
CLINTON, Miss- Mississippi Brilla FC coach Mark McKeever has ventured into the Northeast to find the next group of Mississippi Brilla players. Joe Hulme, Ryan Shields, and Alex Shackley will be joining the club from Division 1 Manhattan College this summer.
Hulme is a former Stoke City and Liverpool FC youth product who McKeever is expecting much from. The sophomore defender has anchored the Jaspers' back-line for the past two seasons. He is seasoned due to the fact that he has already started 28 matches in his short career.
Shields is a freshman midfielder who played for Manchester United at the youth level. The Wigan, England native played and started in the midfield in his only appearance of the season for the Jaspers.
Shackley is a senior midfielder who captained the Jaspers his last two seasons. He led the team with five goals, including the game winner against Saint Peter's in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament. The Las Vegas native finished his fruitful Manhattan career with 56 starts and 12 goals.
McKeever had nothing but good things to say about the trio. “These 3 players are coming from a D1 program at Manhattan College. These lads are coming with the highest recommendation from their college coach. Joe is a lad that brings experience from Liverpool/Stoke/PDL and is a footballing center back. I am very excited to have Joe with us this summer, as he uses the ball remarkably well from the back and has a great range of passing. He is very smooth on the ball, which is important to the way we will play."
"Ryan is a very versatile player that can play centrally or wide and will cause a lot of issues for our opponents. Ryan can be a game changer on his day. Like Joe, Ryan has experience at the premiership youth level with Manchester United/Stoke.”
"Alex is a player that I have admired since seeing him play club ball 5 years ago. Since then, he has matured tremendously to captain his D1 college team this past year. Alex brings a great engine and work ethic with a creative ability to play between the lines. I have high expectations for all 3 players, and I am excited to work with them.”
Mississippi Brilla kicks off its 10th season in the Premier Development League with a home contest on May 14 at 7:00 pm. Brilla will play its home matches at Traceway Park in Clinton.