"At 9 or 10, I was playing the offside trap"

Jack Hinshelwood opens up

Jack Hinshelwood is 20 and already has his B licence. He’s remarkably mature. “I remember at nine or 10, I was playing the offside trap and some kids didn’t know what that was.” Did the trap work? “Yes! A couple of times!” the Brighton & Hove Albion player laughs after England Under-21s training at St George’s Park. “I’ve always had a good understanding of the game and potentially it’s come from my upbringing in football.”

Jack Hinshelwood. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

His is a familiar football name. Hinshelwood’s father Adam played for Brighton and is on his third stint managing Worthing. “My earliest memories are of watching my dad,” Hinshelwood recalls. “Then as he’s become a manager, I’ve followed him.” Jack’s grandfather Paul played for Terry Venables’ Crystal Palace. His great grandfather Wally played for Fulham and Chelsea briefly. Jack’s great uncle, Martin, who played with Paul for Palace, is now director of football at Brighton. It’s quite a dynasty.

Jack has had a footballing education at home and at Brighton. “The education there is unbelievable. They’re always trying to challenge you with different courses you can do. It’s totally your choice. There were a few lads in the Under-21s at Brighton who first did the B licence and that inspired me. Me and Lewis Dunk have done our B licence. I took an interest in it because you’ve got to think about life after football, right?” That’s quite a long way off, I venture.

He laughs. “It helps my understanding of the game. I don’t know if I’m quite ready to be a manager yet! It definitely made me respect them a lot more seeing how tough it was. My dad’s a manager and I’ve seen how brutal it can be.” Adam was appointed manager of York City in February 2024. “He moves his whole family five hours away from home and then to be sacked, it’s like, ‘now what do I do?’” Adam was dismissed last August. “He’s now doing really well for Worthing.” They’re second in National League South.

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Hinshelwood has watched and benefited from Lee Carsley’s people skills with England Under-21s, especially on the eve of last summer’s European Championship finals. “My daughter was born two days before the (opening) game. It was the way he handled that situation, giving me the time off I needed and then bringing me back into the team and playing in the rest of the games for that tournament. I will forever be grateful for how he handled that.” Carsley was rewarded with some good displays by the versatile, composed Hinshelwood as England retained the trophy.

Becoming a father has accelerated the maturing process. “It’s made me realise I love football and football is my passion, but it’s not life or death,” Hinshelwood continues. “Having a kid is my No 1 priority. After a loss I used to get so emotional because I cared so much. I still care but it just brings things into perspective. My motivation levels are higher than before.” He walks out at the Amex and is even more inspired, knowing his family is watching on.

“The senior players always forget how young I am. Maybe it’s the way I act or because I’ve got a kid that they think I’m mid-20s, 30s. Whilst I am young, I feel like I play and act like quite a mature footballer. I watch all of the experienced guys we’ve got - the likes of James Milner, Lewis Dunk, Danny (Welbeck), Jason (Steele). I like watching how they act, what they eat, how they train. As a young lad if you can pick that up then it can make you a better player.”

He’s watched and learned from Milner’s versatility. “It’s quite nice actually playing the different roles. It adds a different string to my bow, which some players don’t do. To be able to play left-back, centre-mid, striker and I played a few games at centre-back, I’ve loved every different role. The manager (Fabian Hurzeler) can trust me in lots of different roles. Ultimately, it gives me a better chance to play.”

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He’s currently playing in attack with Welbeck. “Danny, most recently, I’ve been questioning him about the role that I’m playing. There’s been no better learning curve for me than playing alongside him. We’ve linked up well, and we both understand the game well. So, I know if he’s dropping in short, if I stretch the game, we can make space for each other. To play alongside someone with that football IQ has been really good. He’s a real driver of the standards we’ve got at the club. He’s the ultimate professional.”

Hinshelwood was surprised Welbeck wasn’t called up by Thomas Tuchel. He wasn’t surprised that Steele was. “It didn’t come as a surprise to people at Brighton. Everyone at Brighton knows what a character Jason is, and also the quality he has is unbelievable. I dread having to press him in training. It’s hard work. He’s a great guy, and similar to Danny, he really pushes the standards at Brighton. He’s great for the young lads, and he provides that experience in the changing room. That’s exactly what he’ll bring here (SGP). He can be a big asset.” Steele is tipped to travel to the World Cup as England’s training keeper.

Steele, 35, was first choice at Brighton but now features only in the cups. “It probably has been tough for him, but testament to his character,” Hinshelwood continues. “You wouldn’t have noticed that in the way he acts and the way he performs in training. Every time he’s been called upon this season, he could have arguably been man of the match in every game. Against Oxford, he made some unbelievable saves. Recently we played (Manchester) United in the FA Cup, and he was also incredible. He’s such a well-respected figure as well, annoyingly good at darts. He’s frightening. He’s really good, 180s - they’re just casual for him.” (Note to media: avoid Steele in the darts competition at England’s World Cup base in Kansas.)

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