Clearly, bursting on to the scene runs in the Cadamarteri family. Readers might recall the odds heavily stacked against Everton ahead of a Merseyside Derby in 1997, when 18-year-old Danny seized possession, skipped past Neil Ruddock and scored an iconic match-winner.
It continued a fine run of form for the teenager, who at the end of that game had scored four goals in his last five matches. Funnily enough, there is a similar theme unfolding in the Championship this season.
Bailey Cadamarteri, 18, had failed to make the matchday squad for Sheffield Wednesday in 13 of the 16 games before German coach Danny Rohl, the youngest EFL manager at 34 years old, took over at Hillsborough.
But since being handed a break from Rohl, Cadamarteri has scored three goals in his last four games as the Owls have turned around their fortunes, including an 86th-minute strike against fellow relegation strugglers QPR on Saturday, a game in which Wednesday went on to win.
Rohl’s men have won three of their last four games and Cadamarteri has been crucial to that. The striker is quickly becoming a fans’ favourite, though his rise is no surprise — he has long been touted for a big future at Wednesday’s Middlewood Road training base.
Bailey Cadamarteri, 18, has broken onto the scene for Sheffield Wednesday with three goals
Bailey is the son of ex-EFL forward Danny and is leading the way among football’s rising sons
It is understood that Manchester City and West Ham have previously scouted the youngster, who has an innate ability — like his father when he first broke through — to be in the right place at the right time. Positional awareness is a gift rather than luck, especially at such a young age.
‘He’s done really well,’ said long-serving midfielder Barry Bannan. ‘He’s got three goals now and he’s stepped in when people have been out injured. He’s brought his goalscoring from the Under 21s on to this scene and he’s been brilliant so far.
‘He got a new contract, deservedly so, and it’s about knuckling down now. It’s only the start, he’s got good people in front of him here he can learn from off the pitch and on it as well. He’s in a good place.’
Cadamarteri’s rise is testament to the work done by Rohl. Wednesday are on a roll thanks to his attention to detail and shrewd tactical skills honed in jobs coaching at RB Leipzig, alongside Ralph Hasenhuttl at Southampton and then assistant manager to Hansi Flick at Germany.
Bailey’s father, Danny, who went on to play for 12 clubs including hometown team Bradford after leaving Everton, is very supportive of his son on social media, despite the fact that he now works across the city at Sheffield United’s academy.
‘Not bad at all, Bailey,’ he posted on X alongside a video of his latest goal. ‘Keep working hard mate and the Wednesday fans will love you lad. Well done again.’
Danny’s other son, Caelan-Kole, is also in the Owls’ academy.
The youngest Cadamarteri scored more than 70 goals for the Under 13s and 14s last season and impressed so much that he spent time trying with the Under 18s. ‘I got called into the academy yesterday, I thought I was in trouble… they offered me a scholarship,’ he tweeted.
Funnily enough, Bailey’s first goal for the club was assisted by Josh Windass, another Wednesdayite with a former footballer as a father. Josh followed in dad Dean’s footsteps last season by firing his team to promotion with a play-off final winning goal.
Cadamarteri has been linking up for the Owls with Josh Windass, son of former striker Dean
Wednesday still face a tall order to stay up, but are resurgent under German coach Danny Rohl
It is a theme that runs across the Championship. Liam Delap, son of long-throw specialist Rory, is firing in the goals for Hull on loan from Manchester City. Bryan Gunn’s son Angus, another from the City academy, was pivotal in Norwich’s draw against rivals Ipswich on Saturday.
D’Margio Wright-Phillips and Tyrese Campbell, offspring of Shaun and Kevin, are both at Stoke, while Leeds boast Charlie Cresswell, son of Richard, and Archie Gray, whose dad Andy, granddad Frank and uncle Eddie all playing for the club.
The list goes on with QPR’s Andre Dozzell, son of Ipswich legend Jason. Hull’s Jacob Greaves is following in father Mark’s footsteps of playing for the Tigers, while former Chelsea and Birmingham star Paul Furlong’s son Darnell is at West Brom. Don’t forget Tom Ince, of course.
For Wednesday, avoiding relegation is still a tall order despite a recent revival under Rohl. But their new generation could be the spark they need. As Bailey said after his first goal: ‘I know (our dads) played together, but it’s mine and Josh’s time now.’
Bell’s boys get in the festive mood
Your festive football in the EFL kicks off tonight with nine fixtures across the divisions. I’ll be one of around 6,500 at Crewe versus Barrow, where the hosts are offering a cut-price ticket deal which should boost the gate by well over 2,000. More clubs should take note.
Punters will be treated to a top-of-the-table clash, with the Alex able to leapfrog second-placed Barrow with a win.
Lee Bell has continued a rich tradition of starting academy graduates, with Ireland Under 21 international Connor O’Riordan being watched by Blackburn and Leeds.
Not many managers in England are doing a better job than Barrow boss, Pete Wild, though. They are on a six-match winning streak in League Two and you have to go back to October 3 for their last defeat. It should be a thriller under the lights.
While on the topic of Crewe, a reader last week sent me a newspaper clipping from Boxing Day 1940, reporting when the Railwaymen not only played on Christmas Day, but had two games.
They won at Tranmere in the morning but, in the reverse fixture back in Crewe later that day, only drew.
Lee Bell is doing a fine job at Crewe and they face a top of the table clash with Barrow tonight
Managerial churn in the Championship
What do Mark Robins, Ryan Lowe, Kieran McKenna and Jon Dahl Tomasson have in common? The quartet of managers are the only four in the Championship to have been in charge of their current club at the start of last season.
Steven Schumacher became the latest manager to jump ship this week when he joined Stoke from Plymouth. He is a talented boss but he will need some luck. The Potters have good resources due to the bet365 ownership but fans can be impatient.
Steven Schumacher jumped ship from Plymouth to Stoke and will need some luck to succeed
Many good bosses have gone there and failed, such as Michael O’Neill and Alex Neil, and turning the ship round is not easy. It might be seen as a downgrade but he will have got a pay-rise and the Scouser will be much closer to home.
This column spoke to Argyle chairman Simon Hallett recently, and it is worth noting that much of their recent success is down to the shrewd way they operate. ‘Schuey’ won’t be afforded such luxuries at Stoke but he is one of the country’s brightest managers — so good luck to him.
