The Bulls have announced the signing of striker Ahkeem Rose. Simon Wright checks out the new Hereford acquisition.
Ahkeem Shavon Rose is 25, and born in Kingston Jamaica though his formative years were spent in the Black Country. He’s not tall at 5 foot 9. His main asset is his pace so he’s just as often used wide as in the middle. We’re his 11th club. His precious employers range from Hamilton Accies in the Scottish central belt to Dover.
At some stage he was apparently part of the WBA Academy programme though his stay was surely brief. He made his debut for Pelsall Villa (step 6) aged 16 and scored a hat trick. After a few games there, he transferred to Heather St Johns (also step 6 outfit based in an attractive Leicestershire village) before Grimsby Town came a calling. Initially, there were complications regarding his work permit which cost him several months of game time.
He stayed with the Cleethorpes club for several years including late on the arrival of a certain Montel Gibson. Rose played about 40 times for the Fishy types, scoring only 3 EFL goals. Should have been more but yes, you’ve guessed it, injuries.
Ahkeem had repeated hamstring problems. Manager Ian Holloway made a ham fisted attempt to explain. “He’s from Jamaica and sometimes the people over there have inherent problems with their hamstrings.“ As the excellent Cod Almighty put it. “he might have chosen his words more carefully.”
In 2019, Ahkeem became a dad to a baby girl at his Birmingham base. Unfortunately, any football work he could get was beyond commuting range. His next employer was Step One Dover where he had to live locally. Another injury pre-season took its toll. Rose played every game but didn’t score until January. The season was cut short by covid.
Weymouth signed him next, then a full tine Step One club. Once again, troublesome hamstrings had him in and out of the physios’ room. As he lamented on his social media “Give me few seasons injury-free and I will prove myself..”
Season 22/23 started late due to an injury in May. But having “made many changes to his lifestyle”, his fitness and the goals flowed. Now Step 2 Weymouth were in a desperate battle against relegation. Twenty goals in 44 appearances from their No 9 saved the day. Rose’s big grin was much in evidence this season. He was awarded the Players Player of the Year award and then left. With a polished CV, the striker hoped for work near his home. He ended up at Ayr United, almost as though his agent didn’t like him. Still, it was a full time 2-year deal and the Rose family separated once more.
After a low-key time on Scotland’s West coast, he was loaned to League One hopefuls Hamilton Accies in February 2024. Something just clicked with Rose being the missing ingredient. He scored 8 times in 18 games with 5 assists. There was a hat trick too, the first treble for an Accies player away from home for over a decade. Kelty Hearts were sunk 6-0. In the last few games, Rose was carrying a pelvic injury so was used sparingly. The striker came off the bench in both Play-off Final games against Inverness Caley Thistle (won 5-3 on aggregate) . By strange coincidence, I was in Scotland that week and saw the second leg on a big TV on an obscure Orkney Island. I should have paid more attention. Accies manager Rankin wanted to sign Rose (Ayr had ended his contract by mutual consent) but Akeem wanted to be with his family in Birmingham.
Accies loss could be our gain. With two decent seasons behind him, curious there are no more concrete offers for the striker. If he carries on scoring then we’ll have a nice problem to deal with. Welcome to Hereford Akeem. Feel free to show off your full wardrobe around the Street. You know you want to.
Simon Wright