At one point, players like Bobby Reid, Joe Bryan, and Alex Scott all attended the Robins’ program, demonstrating their remarkable ability to develop fresh talent.
But Antoine Semenyo has to be the most notable player of the last ten years. The Ghanaian forward established himself at Ashton Gate, but since joining AFC Bournemouth, where he is now considered one of the Cherries’ greatest players, he may have exceeded all expectations.
Bristol’s red and white supporters will be thrilled with his performance in Dorset, but the attacker’s journey may have taken a completely different turn in 2015 had Crystal Palace not made a crucial choice.
Crystal Palace rejection spurred Antoine Semenyo on
With trials at several teams, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Millwall, and Fulham, Semenyo, who was born in Chelsea, spent a large portion of his early years attempting to get a spot in a prominent academy. Sadly, he was turned down by all four clubs, but after spending eight months at Palace in Croydon, it appeared like he could have a chance there.
This brief stint was in vain because the Eagles cut him loose in 2015 after deciding he wasn’t skilled enough to play in the Premier League.
The Ghanaian said that it broke him in an interview with the BBC’s Football Focus: “I was there for maybe eight months and loved every moment.”
“My father informed me that he had witnessed an instance during a game where I ought to have passed the ball to someone, and I shot and missed. And he saw the coach in the distance just shaking his head
“He realised right away that I wouldn’t get signed. They broke the awful news to me when I was called into the office.
“I remember going back into the car, just being emotional, crying.”
He was given the chance to play professional football in 2017 as Bristol City selected him from the football academy at Stroud College and South Gloucestershire, transforming this destruction into drive.
He hasn’t turned back since, taking full advantage of the chance the Robins provided him to show off his abilities.
Following in the footsteps of many young Bristol City players, Semenyo signed his first professional contract and went on loan to Bath City, his local neighbours.
This first experience playing men’s football was priceless, and further loan stints at League One Sunderland and League Two Newport County gave him vital experience that he could bring back to Ashton Gate.
He made 44 appearances for the Robins in his full debut season in 2020–21, and under Dean Holden and subsequently Nigel Pearson, he established himself as a consistent member of the first squad.
Semenyo, however, came into his own the following season after playing brilliantly for a Bristol City team that scored 62 goals overall and was comparatively free-scoring. The Ghanaian formed an attacking connection with Andreas Weimann and Chris Martin, contributing eight of those goals himself and dishing out 12 assists.
Many others further up the English pyramid took notice of this, and January would turn out to be his last month at BS3 when he maintained his excellent form in 22–23.
He would be acquired by Bournemouth for £10.5 million, but Palace, who were eager to make up for their earlier error, showed late interest.
Given that his outstanding performances at the Vitality Stadium have not only allayed any misgivings but also earned him an incredible £50 million price tag, his subsequent choice to reject the Eagles must have given him a sense of validation.
Leave a Reply