One to Watch – Dale Jennings

Name: Dale Jennings

Date of Birth: 21/12/1992

Nationality: England

Former Clubs: Tranmere, Bayern Munich, MK Dons

League Appearances (Goals): 97 (11)

International Appearances (Goals): 0 (0)

Stat of the Day: Dale Jennings has attempted a total of 71 crosses in his 26 appearances for Barnsley this season

Player Profile: The uncharacteristic transfer of youngster Dale Jennings from lowly Tranmere Rovers to world-class Bayern Munich in 2011 would seemingly have been better suited to some laughable transfer rumour splurged across the front page of a tacky ‘football rumours` website. Bayern viewed Jennings as a future star, however, and the signing of the Liverpudlian put paid to any misgivings pertaining to the teenagers promising talents. Despite failing to make a single appearance for the Bayern first team, largely down to an unfortunate string of recurring injuries, Jennings has held his time in Germany in high regard, citing the experience as vital for his football development. The 21-year-old now finds himself at Oakwell, and having won the Football League`s Young Player of the Month award for March, finally looks set to live up to the early praise surrounding his talents.

The winger swapped Birkenhead for Bayern at the age of 18 following a recommendation from Dietmar Hamann, the German who was on the MK Dons side that lost 4-2 to Tranmere in a game which Jennings scored a brace earned many plaudits for an impressive performance. The midfielder`s German education looks to have developed his game further, the guidance of Andries Jonker and Mehmet Scholl cultivating the ambitious whiz kid into a greater all round player. Barnsley`s 2013/2014 campaign has been largely disappointing, but the introduction of Jennings under new manager Danny Wilson has breathed a tiny shed of light into a discouraging Tykes season.

Player History:

Dale Jennings started his football education at Liverpool but having been released at the age of 15 went on to join Tranmere Rovers. He made his club and Football League debut for Rovers in 2010 in a 1-1 draw with Charlton and went on to score his first goal for the club against Bristol Rovers a couple of weeks later. He went on to win the 2011 Football League Apprentice of the Year award and in just his seventh league start for Tranmere was recommended to German giants Bayern by opposition midfielder Dietmar Hamann.

He completed a three-year-deal at Bayern Munich in 2011 at the age of just 18, for a fee rising to a possible £1.8 million. Jennings career in Germany was blighted with injury and he failed to make a single appearance for the first team. He did make 36 league appearances for the reserve side, however, scoring two goals in his two years at the club.

Jennings decided to return to England with one year left on his contract and moved to Barnsley in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £250,000. His Tykes debut ended in disappointment, however, as he was sent off five minutes after coming on as a second half substitute in a league game against Wigan. In November he joined MK Dons on loan and made six appearances for The Dons. Jennings returned to Barnsley and has since established himself as a first team member, three goals in seven appearances in March led to the Young Player of the Month award.