Janoi Donacien is used to waiting for the final whistle in the latest away match for the Aston Villa academy team, waiting to get the results from his teammates. Whilst his fellow young Villans have been jetting off to Amsterdam, Istanbul and Trondheim, whilst they are preparing for yet another trip, this time to Marseille, the 18-year-old central defender remains in Birmingham.
These trips are a results of Aston Villa's progression through the group phase of the NextGen Series. The tournament touts itself as essentially the under-19 version of the UEFA Champions League. In its inaugural year, the NextGen Series features 16 teams, from England, France, Norway, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.
The claret and blue topped Group 3, but the breakdown of the results of the six matches - against teams with whose names most fans of European football would be intimately familiar - bear close review, and may well say something about how valuable the subject of this story is, and what a bright future he could have, if only the authorities will allow him to remain on track.
Aston Villa had a 2-1 away record, thanks to a come-from-behnd 2-1 win over Fenerbahçe. They lost 0-2 and 2-3 to Ajax and Rosenborg. But in three home games, the 2011 Premier League Youth winners and Youth Cup finalists were unbeaten, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one. Perhaps not coincidentally, Janoi Donacien played all but 11 minutes from a possible 270 at home.
So why hasn't Janoi, who is described on the Villa website as possessing "tremendous athleticism and [being] comfortable on the ball," been showcased in away competition? The answer is that if Janoi were to leave England, he might not be able to re-enter the country. To put it bluntly, Janoi is an illegal immigrant. And though he is now in limbo, his situation could get worse.
In 2001, Janoi and his parents moved to the United Kingdom from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Janoi would have been about 8 at the time his family settled in Luton. The young man has spent more than half his life in England, and the last few years working and learning under the guidance of Villa academy director, Bryan Jones. He had every right to dream big.
Janoi would have gone on to follow St Lucian-born Premiership players like Les and Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe. He would have succeeded the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Craig Gardner and Gary Cahill as household names who have graduated through the club's highly-acclaimed youth system at Bodymoor Heath. And he still could, but he needs help.
Currently registered as a schoolboy, the gifted centre back cannot sign a professional contract or travel overseas until he gains permanent UK residency, which he has been denied by the Home Office. An immigration appeal has been filed on his behalf. If successful, he stays. But if the UK Border Agency turns down the appeal, Janoi could be kicked out of the UK for good.
Lawyers and Luton South MP Gavin Shuker have alerted Home Secretary Theresa May, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt and immigration minister Damian Green, but they have taken no action. A UK Border Agency spokesman said individual applications could not be discussed in detail but added: "All foreign nationals must ensure they have permission to remain in the UK."
Villa academy director Jones does not sound entirely hopeful, but he reiterates the urgency for Villa... and for Janoi: "Time is running out fast because, if this is not resolved, Janoi will be unable to play football in this country. That would be a travesty. It's time that the authorities examined the case and allowed the boy residency so he can pursue his career."
With the NextGen Series quarter-finals starting this Wednesday, Janoi will be tasked with shackling the French team's forwards at home. But unless his immigration status gets sorted, it's Janoi who will remain shackled while his friends pack for their Mediterranean adventure. The next plane he takes may well be back to Saint Lucia. And what a shame that would be.
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