Josh Bernard completes rapid Plymouth Argyle rise with first pro contract

Midfielder Josh Bernard is about to start out as a professional footballer at Plymouth Argyle but his path to get there has been far from a conventional one.

Most young pros at EFL clubs are graduates of their academies, but for Bernard it was different. He even ended up working on a building site for a couple of months. That was until he joined the Argyle Community Trust's football development and education programme for 16 to 18-year-olds, and it was not long before his progress on the pitch was recognised by a call-up to the academy.

After being part of the Argyle under-18s squad which topped both the EFL Youth Alliance South West Division and Merit League One last season, Bernard was rewarded for his efforts by being offered a professional contract to complete a rapid rise for him.

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Bernard told Plymouth Live: "It's everything I have ever wanted really. It's what every little boy dreams of. I can't wait to get going, I'm really excited. I had a trial (for the academy) when I was about 14 and didn't get in so I just kept playing DJM youth football for Parkway until I was about 16. I was a little bit lost and didn't know where to go.

"I went to the building site for about two months and then after that I took a bit of a jump and went to the community programme. I kept playing my football and four months in I got a bit of a chance with the academy and have never looked back since then."

On how he had dealt with the rejection by Argyle at a young age, Bernard said: "All my friends were in the academy and to tell them I didn't get in it was a bit like 'Am I not good enough?' You are young and it didn't really affect me too much and I just kept playing my football. I knew one day I would get another chance.

"I didn't really know what the community trust programme was too much, but my Mum told me I would be playing football and doing my education on the side as well. It was like a win win really.

"When I got in there I thought it was going to be 90 per cent education, but it was 70-30. You were doing a lot of football and the standard of games was really good. You would go all across the country. You would basically be like an academy player. I really enjoyed it."

Bernard can now be an example for young footballers who are not initially offered an academy place that they can still make it all the way to the professional ranks. "It's not impossible to achieve what you want to achieve, you just never know," he said.

It was not until March 2023 that the midfielder made his Argyle under-18s debut and he marked the occasion by scoring one of the goals in a 4-4 draw at home to Gillingham in Merit League One.

"That was a crazy feeling," he said. "On matchday minus one, on the Friday, I got told I was starting and I was a bit nervous but I scored early, which was the best way to settle the nerves. I played with freedom from there on and loved every minute of it."

Now 15 months later, Bernard is gearing up for his first season as a professional. "Thanks for all the coaches that have been involved, I'm really happy," he said.

Argyle under-18s head coach Jamie Lowry is a former Football League midfielder who spent some of his career playing for the Pilgrims so Bernard has been able to learn a lot off him.

"He was really good with me," said the teenage prospect. "He picked out some of my weaknesses and told me 'This is what you need to work on'. The bits I was good at he just let me do my thing. I really enjoyed working with J."

The culmination of Bernard's rise from the community trust's football development and education programme came when he was told by Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip he would be getting a professional contract.

"I was very nervous before," said Bernard. "When I went in there and Neil told me I was going to get a contract I just couldn't stop smiling, I loved every second of hearing him talk to me about it. It was a big relief.

"The hard work starts now really. The pro game is levels above, you are up with the big boys, you are playing with some people who are at their peak, some who are career professionals and know the game inside out."

Bernard was born in south Wales, which explains why he is a Cardiff City supporter, but moved to Plymouth at a young age and has played all of his football in the city, first for Manstow and later Plymouth Parkway in the DJM League.

"I have always had a soft spot for Argyle," he said. "I remember watching them when they were in League Two against Dagenham and Redbridge, that was my first game (a 3-0 win at Home Park in December 2014). Bobby Reid scored."

On the season ahead, Bernard declared: "I just want to hit the ground running and give the manager a bit of a headache, to say 'I'm here, I want to be in and around the squad'. I want to enjoy it but at the same time push myself to the highest level I can.

"I like to get people off their seats, get at people, try to score goals but I also do the other side. I love to run, and make sure to get in behind the ball. I like to be in the pockets, in the lines, and just get at people."

Argyle's recently-appointed head coach Wayne Rooney has a reputation for being ready to give young players a chance if they are good enough so that offers some encouragement to Bernard and those of a similar age to him, such as Jack Matthews, Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts.

Bernard said: "I'm so excited to meet him (Rooney) and work under him, there is not really a better person in my position to learn from. You have just got to work hard, keep your head down and who knows what will happen."