Nahki can go all the way, says Bummy
Local sports legend Cal Bummy Symonds is backing Bradford City striker Nahki Wells to fulfil his potential in the English game.Symonds, who played for Rochdale in the 1950s before his career was cut short by a knee injury, reckons that Wells has the pedigree and right attitude to make a name for himself in his chosen sport.“He is really stuck in to what he is doing and he is going to go places,” the former PHC skipper and coach said. “He just needs to take his time, don't be too cocky and learn the game.”Symonds, who was the second local footballer behind Arnold Woollard to play professionally in the UK, had the opportunity to personally meet Wells during one his visits back home from overseas.“I actually thought he was taller before I met him,” he smiled. “He’s very level headed and you can see that he’s had good upbringing.”Wells and his Bradford teammates will face Swansea in the Capital One Cup at Wembley Stadium tomorrow.Should he play, the 22-year old striker will be the third Bermudian to do so at the iconic stadium but the first in a major cup final."It’s a good experience getting to Wembley and there's a few other Bermudians that have been there,” Symonds noted. “People like Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne who have been there can tell you how good it is to be there. Wembley is a spot the whole world wants to play at, especially at the new venue.”The Bantams are the first fourth tier side to reach a major English domestic cup final in 51 years. Incidentally, Symonds’ former club Rochdale were the last fourth tier club to reach a major cup final in 1962.Symonds, who also excelled as a cricketer in his heyday, is hoping Wells will play a part in the cup final."The whole of Bermuda is rooting for him and I hope he has a good game if he plays,” he said. “If he plays it will be a good opportunity for him to show other Bermudians who want to get out there the work that needs to be done.”Symonds believes tomorrow’s Capital One Cup final will be a toss up.“It would be nice to see Bradford knock off Swansea,” he said. “But football is a funny game and you have your ups and downs.“Bradford has nothing to lose and everything to gain while Swansea is the Premier team and if they get beaten they will look lowly underneath the table.”