FIVE months is a long time in football – just ask MFL graduate Lamin Barrow.
Having lit up the pitches at Diamonds Academy, Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons and Fairfield Villa, the power of social media showcased one of the MFL’s best-kept secrets and put him on the radar of ambitious Bromsgrove Sporting.
The Rouslers spent the summer attracting a number of high-profile names, including many with strong EFL CVs that blew Barrow’s mind, but far from being overawed the new kid on the block has cemented himself among the go-to names that gaffer and Premier League-winning goalkeeper Tim Flowers relies on.
The 21-year-old has five goals to his name already and less than five months after entertaining 80 in his final match for Fairfield match – a 4-0 win at Central Ajax in which he provided two assists either side of hitting the post – he took to the stage in front of 3,342 in Bromsgrove’s FA Cup tie at Bury on Saturday.
Picture: ThreeFiveThree Photography (Garry Griffiths)
But as eye-catching as all of that is, it is just one part of a journey in which a grateful Barrow has had his talents honed and showcased by various people.
Having arrived in Birmingham from Gambia in his teens, it all started through Sunday mornings with Birmingham Youth Sports Academy before heading to Diamonds Academy where he top scored with 15 goals in 23 matches in MFL Under-21s.
A first foray into senior football ended in glory, winning MFL Division Three with Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons, contributing 26 goals in 27 matches and a further five in nine games in Division Two before the team resigned from the league.
Fairfield came calling and the upward trajectory continued with 16 goals in 14 games, some of which were caught in a showreel that Joe Sims put on X – formerly Twitter.
“I had no experience, I had just come to this country and wanted to play football. BYSA gave me the opportunity to play,” said Barrow.
“Anwar, the owner, he is a great guy and someone who I am still in contact with. He always advises me and comes to my games whenever he can. I am lucky to have good people around me who want me to achieve as much as I can.
“Joe put my videos online and Bromsgrove sent people to look at me, Jordan (Lengthorne), my gaffer at Boldmere, all of the places I have been, they have all taught me very well.
“I always believed I could play higher but I didn’t think it would be this year.
“When Bromsgrove called me I had to grind so much so I could be ready. I have started well but if you have the right environment, you can play good football.
“The way I was welcomed, I just started playing my football. Everyone is loving it, I am loving it.”
The giant strides come while Barrow is being mentored in a different role alongside one of the most experienced strikers he could wish to learn from.
Jamille Matt has clocked up more than 400 EFL appearances and was playing seven levels – yes, seven – above his rookie colleague with League Two Walsall last season.
“I am actually a winger but they are turning me into a striker and I am doing well,” said Barrow.
“I have Jamma, I have JJ (ex-Plymouth frontrunner Jake Jervis), the gaffer is telling me what to do. It becomes easier when you have experienced players.
“I am the only inexperienced player here and if I am coming in from Step 7 and don’t listen then I will not go far. I have to play my own game as well but everyone is here to help get the best from me.”
By the start of September, the trialist-turned-regular had been rewarded with a contract, prompting talk of Barrow heading even higher.
“That’s the aim but I am not in a rush,” he added.
“I just have to make the right decisions and learn as much as I can so that if I do go higher, it won’t disrupt me.”
