TEENAGER Nick Kennedy is hoping to learn the ropes from York City striker Richard Brodie this season.

Growing up in Clifton, Kennedy would often spend his Saturday afternoons watching the Minstermen as Brodie, during his first spell at the club, scored goals for fun.

Brodie, now 29, is back at York after a six-year absence and Kennedy, 18, has just signed his first professional contract.

“Surreal’’ is the word used by Kennedy to describe the crossing of their paths – but York manager Jackie McNamara now has a dilemma.

With Brodie injured in midweek and struggling for fitness, is the youngster ready to stand up and be counted? Scott Fenwick and Reece Thompson are currently the front-runners to start against Maidstone United on August 6 but does Kennedy provide adequate cover to stop McNamara re-entering the transfer market?

Brodie scored 54 goals in 98 league games during his first three years with the Minstermen and his all-action style of play won over the club’s supporters.

Kennedy accepts that he is a ‘different’ type of striker but still feels he can develop his game under the guidance of his former hero.

“I lived on Burton Lane – just five minutes down the road from the ground,” he said. “I used to come down and watch games and it’s a dream come true now just to be a York City player.

“I used to look at Brodie, as a youngster, and now he is back and we are playing together, so it’s all a bit surreal!

“He is definitely a player I want to learn from this season. He has got experience and he is very physical with pace and strength. As the younger lad, however, I think I have got a bit more pace!”

Significantly, Kennedy was the only player to survive last season’s cull of second year scholars at Bootham Crescent.

He looks back on that period as a possible crossroads in his career.

“It was a tough year and a few players lost the urge to push on and get a professional contract,” he said.

“I just tried to keep my head right and not get easily persuaded by them to mess around and lose my head.

“I stayed focused and worked on my football. I didn’t want to get another job.

“Playing football was my dream so I focused on myself, my technique, and I worked hard.

“I ended up working as the only second year scholar for most of the season but I got a ‘pro’ deal from it.”

Kennedy, who attended Easingwold School, replaced the injured Brodie at half-time against Harrogate Town on Wednesday night and now hopes to be involved in the final pre-season fixture tomorrow against Newcastle United at Bootham Crescent.

“The manager said I would get a chance in pre-season and I know that I have to take my chances if they come,” he said. “Obviously, I am not the first name on the team-sheet but if I do get a few chances and put them away and fight for my place, who knows? I might get a chance in the starting eleven.”

“By the end of the next 12 months, I just hope I have made enough progress to get another contract.

“And it would be great to be part of a push for promotion and get the club back into the Football League,” he added.

Defender Jack Higgins is ruled out of tomorrow’s game by a family commitment. He is also nursing a groin strain that led to his substitution against Harrogate.