Beckfoot Thornton s Ben Whelan, 16, has signed a two-year deal with League Two team Mansfield Town. What makes it even more remarkable is the teenage sensation, from Clayton, has never officially been part of an academy system in the past. The move stems from a trial at Sheffield United when after failing to make the grade, one of their recruitment team noticed Ben s potential and put his name out there. Plenty of interest came his way before Ben and his family decided a move down to Nottinghamshire would be best. It is his resolve to bounce back from rejection which makes him special, according to his dad Mark and PE teacher Rachel Ballantyne.