It is the moment every young footballer dreams of.
A goal in front of the home support for the Club you represent is perhaps the very best way to make a name for yourself early in your professional career, and it was the exact way that Kofi Shaw introduced himself to Gasheads at The Memorial Stadium in late August.
Bristol Rovers welcomed Tottenham Hotspur U21s to BS7 that day, for the first Bristol Street Motors group stage clash of the season. Although Rovers did not claim all three points that late summer evening, losing out on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in 90 minutes, the occasion will always mark Shaw’s first strike in the blue-and-white quarters.
“The Tottenham Hotspur game has been my best game of the season so far, for sure,” Shaw smiled. “I feel like I played really well and I was also able to score, which was an amazing feeling, especially in front of the fans in the Thatchers End. That was a really, really great moment.
“We didn’t get the win in the end but I do feel like I played well for the team and did a good job.”
Amidst seasoned professionals and Academy prospects from the elite level of football in this country, Shaw looked right at home. His goal, a well-taken finish inside the area, capped an all-round exquisite showing from the midfielder; one that earned him high praise from the home supporters and a rave review from manager Matt Taylor.
Not to mention a place in Rovers’ 18-man squad for the next three Sky Bet League One matches, away to Stockport County, at home to Cambridge United and away at Barnsley, culminating in a 13-minute showing from the bench at Oakwell.
Those efforts even got Shaw a place in the starting XI for the trip to Peterborough United in mid-September.
“Playing well against Tottenham, I got to come on away at Barnsley at the start of September and, although we were behind and lost that game, that was also another really good experience,” Shaw continued. “I was then really happy to make my first start in the league at Peterborough. It was a hard game but I feel like I gave it my all, and I want to keep building on it now.”
The Bristol Rovers adventure, as a whole, has been a positive experience for Shaw so far. Born and raised in Gloucester, the youngster started his journey in football close to home before being scouted and signed by West Bromwich Albion, joining a club that could boast Premier League-level facilities and the grandest of opportunities.
After eight years training in the West Midlands, Shaw found himself released by the Baggies. The opportunity to come back down south, closer to home, presented itself, and it was one he grabbed with both hands.
“I started at a Sunday league team in Gloucester, which is where I’m from. I only played there for a couple of seasons and then I got picked up by West Bromwich Albion. I was with them from U17s to U15s, and I learned so much there. I was playing with some really good players and some of them have gone on to really big things, and are now with Premier League sides.
“I was released by West Brom and then I came to Bristol Rovers, which was a really great decision. I could see there was a clear pathway to the first team here and every single person I’ve worked with here has helped to get me to where I am now. They’ve helped me build back that confidence that I lost after I got released by West Brom. It was a really good decision to come here and I’m really enjoying my football.”
The decision proved to be the right one when, having turned 17, Shaw signed his first professional deal with the Club. The hard work done by the youngster was reaping rewards. Not that the contract was the final ambition.
“It was a great achievement,” he reflected. “Every kid dreams of becoming a professional football player and it showed I was on the right track. But it wasn’t the end goal for me, it just symbolised the beginning of the journey for me.”
Opportunities continued to come for the young Shaw, with the chance to train at The Quarters with the first team at the end of last season. One session turned into another, and another, before Shaw was eventually called into the matchday squad for the final game of the 2023/24 season, away at Wigan Athletic.
Not just a token gesture, Shaw would earn his Rovers debut, playing the final 12 minutes of the campaign against the Latics.
Shaw said: “I’ve been between the U18s and the first team and, when I had the chance, it was good to come up here and see the differences and the levels reached by senior pros like Scott Sinclair and Chris Martin. It was really good to see, feel and experience those differences first-hand because it showed me what was going to be required.
“Building up to the Wigan Athletic game on the last day of last season, I just couldn’t wait. Everyone was pushing for that last little bit, and to be in that environment for the first time was really cool. Wigan is obviously a big club and it was a massive stadium, and there were loads of fans there from both sides. It felt like a good game to come on in and I was eager to impress, and I hope I made a good first impression.
“After coming on against Wigan I was just really hungry to go again and show even more, coming into this season. I put a lot of work in over the summer and I think that’s been proven through pre-season and into the early stages of the new season too.”
That Shaw has continued to be in and around the first team environment, despite his tender years, displays the talent and maturity held by the young man. Shaw’s work-ethic and attitude catches the eye. He is soft-spoken, but assured. Quiet, but confident.
It is the same attitude that he takes into training with the first team every single day.
“To be honest, I feel like I’ve been able to deal with it okay. I think, because of the style of my game and how comfortable I am getting around the pitch, it’s important to show what you can do in the first team environment for the first time.
“I didn’t find it too steep a jump this season because I had trained up with the first team last season and into pre-season too, so it was more of a gradual thing. I feel like I built it up and it came through in the right way.
“I feel confident, 100 per cent. The players and staff are all really helpful, especially with me being the youngest in the team. I feel like they all take the time to tell me different bits and bobs, what I’m doing well, what I can be better at. This is a really good environment to be in to learn, and learn quickly.”
A new-look squad has seen 16 signings join the Gas over the summer, meaning a whole new feel to the team at the Club. Each person brings their unique characteristics, and Shaw is enjoying the dynamic that has quickly been formed by the team.
“It’s a really good group,” he continued. “A lot of new players came in this summer, of course, but we’ve all bonded really quickly. There is an instant connection in the group. In terms of midfield, people like Macca, Kamil and Jake are good players for me to look up to as well. There is a lot of competition in the midfield, and a lot of good players in there too, but we get on well and look after each other and everyone is driving me to be even better.”
There is one player that has made a particular impact on Shaw so far.
In captain Scott Sinclair, Shaw has a role model who has been there and done it all. A career that has seen big-money moves, international recognition, silverware, fame and everything in-between, Sinclair has maintained his drive and humility. The No7 is imparting every bit of wisdom he can, not just on Shaw but on any young player who is looking for guidance.
It is something Shaw does not take for granted.
He said: “Scott is great with me. I spend a lot of time with Scott. I couldn’t have a better mentor to look up to. He gives me a lot of advice. He’s been in the game for many years and, in a weird way, we’re the youngest and one of the oldest in the group, but he’s taken me under his wing a bit. He’s a really good character at the Club. I learn from him every single day, both on and off the pitch. He sets the standard for me.
“One example is, when I first started training with the first team, I was taking a lot of touches. I think I was just eager to show I could be trusted with the ball but I could really have just been taking one or two touches. So Scott told me that, and when I went into the next training session everything just felt cleaner and smoother. I was taking less touches which made it harder for the defender to get near me, so it was a bit of advice that just made an impact on my game immediately. I always remember that now in matches.”
The thirst to learn has given Shaw a good platform for his career at Rovers. It has been noted by the manager, and his coaching staff, who are comfortable trusting Shaw out on the pitch as part of the team.
Having impressed on his showings so far, Shaw’s sole goal is to continue to impress and gain even more opportunities.
“The talks I’ve had with the manager have been so positive. He’s helped me all the way through the close of last season, pre-season and this new season too. He’s giving me a lot of advice and things I can work on as well.
“I think he thinks it’s good for me to be around this environment, and I feel like it is too. I’m glad he feels like he can trust me out there already.
“I believe in myself, completely. I believe in my ability. Yes, I’m still young, but I also think I have the right mentality to go into games and be the very best I can be every time I represent this Club. I want to give my all for my teammates and the fans as well.”
