Brackley Town midfielder hailed as ‘the definition of professional’ amid debate over minutes
“He’s one of the most professional human beings I’ve ever seen,” Gareth Dean says of a Saints star.
Brackley Town boss Gareth Dean couldn’t be happier with the attitude shown by midfielder Kai Lissimore amid a recent struggle for regular minutes.
Lissimore, signed in the summer following an initial trial period, has featured in 11 of Brackley’s 16 National League North fixtures so far this season, but the majority of his appearances have been off the bench.
Having stepped in as an auxiliary right-back during pre-season before moving into a more natural midfield role, Lissimore may have hoped his versatility would have boosted his chances of starting matches.
That’s not how things have transpired, however, with vice-captain Charlie Cooper and O’Shea Ellis often starting in the centre of the park.
At right-back, meanwhile, the pacy Kieran Coates and Shrewsbury loanee Byron Pendleton have been the first-choice right-backs.
Even new signing Jack Lorentzen-Jones - on loan from Luton Town - has been more of a fixture in midfield than Lissimore has, but it isn’t for the want of trying from the latter's point of view.
“We’ve had some honest conversations with Liss and we’re quite spoiled in that area of the pitch,” Dean admitted after Brackley’s recent 1-0 league defeat to Chester.
“Football changes quickly, Jack’s tweaked his hamstring so he’s now out. Liss gets his opportunity and I thought he was vocal and brought an energy and a demand to the group.”
With Lorentzen-Jones sidelined for a brief period of around a fortnight, Lissimore may have the chance to impress once more.
It’s the very least that the former Alfreton, Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers man deserves considering his efforts behind the scenes.
“He is the definition of professional, he’s one of the most professional human beings I’ve ever seen,” Dean went on to say.
“From the disappointment of not getting many minutes in this team, his application in training… he’s the best trainer by a mile.
“Really, I feel unjust for leaving him out of this team when he conducts himself in the way he does. He’s put himself right in the firing line with how he’s played.”