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Rob da Bank and friends

On Air Now 04:00 – 06:00

Last updated: Wednesday 16 Apr 2008
1XTRA NEWS: THE REAL TALK OF THE STREETS
When the gaffer says "no"
Wayne Rooney
It's every young footballer's dream to make it to the big time. But how do you get that first professional contract?
Each year thousands of teenage wannabes try to follow in the footsteps of players like Wayne Rooney.

Olympic Gold Medallist Darren Campbell tried and failed before he went on to become an athletics star.

He follows six young apprentices as they deal with injury, pressure, living away from home and trying to balance their studies with football.
Does the high pay of the professionals fit the work apprentices put it? Have you ever tried to make it as a pro footballer? What's the hardest challenge you've faced? How tough is it to get that first contract?

Gibin Shaji
i am only 11 but when i grow up my dream is to proffesional goalkeaper. I support man utd but i would be happy to atleast play for sunderland. because i know i good enough to play for a premier league club

tomo101
im a left back playing sunday league level at u15's, i play in my top division which is a good standard and i play at good grounds i have played for my county 3 times and had a traial at reading but bacause of my height they wont take me, it seems to me that they all want 6ft 7 giants in there teams.

neil
My son Jordan is a gifted central midfielder who can als operate on either flank.Hes 17 and is now in 6th year to complete his highers to go to university and study law.At 15 while playing for East Renfrewshire(county level) he was scouted by Hamilton Acciedamicals and more impressively Spurs. He had trials with Hamilton and spent a week at Spurs acadamy.He wasnt signed by either had another trial with Newcastle Utd never heard anything then out of the blue he was asked to sign for Greenock Morton of the Scottish Football League .He played 1 season then was asked to join Cowdenbeath who although a Scottish football league team at senior level competed at youth level in the SPL against Celtic Rangers Hearts etc. The travelling was too much and he joined Queens Park where he had a tremendous early season start unfortunately he suffered a bad injury requiring surgery and on his return found out his coach had resigned and his replacement never favoured him even though he worked hard to regain full fitness.He was released and was take on by Stirling Albion for training after a month he was told they wanted to keep him but farm him out to a junior side .Jordan has become completely disillusioned with the senior game as a result of the treatmen he has received since playing at the highest level .Nepotism,favouritism and sheer incompetence in the management and nurturement of young talent is in my opinion the cause of the decline in the standard of our football .Jordan is 5ft 7 that seems to be it as far as the so called experts are concerned this myopia would have precluded MESSI,INIESTA,XAVI,MAKELELE,MARADONA and many more from makin it but hey they are not Scottish/English.

Don stan
I am a boy of 11, i spend my years as a child playing street to streets, school to schools,states to states playing without no money to play as a prof,but hoping&praying that one day the whole world will refeer to me as new patrick veria

bheks
i wanna b a player aswell as any other guy but players have to think outside the box think how am i going to stand out in my position and is my atitude good enough to take me where i want to be. Am i ready to give up 10-15 years of my life just playing football? do i play everyday for hours how can i improve my game and be a role model for younger age groups is the scout going to be impressed when he sees me trust me ive thought about this aswell if you really LOVE football as much as i do then these questions shouldnt be a problem

Casey
I've been giving it my all to get scouted or signed. The hardest part is believing I can get there. There are so many talented players and few spots. It only gives me the incentive to work harder.

Pu Wah Jian
At the age of 18 I broke my ankle during a game. I have leave the beautiful game since that time. My advise to all young player is " Try your best and don't give up easily". I had not yet give up the game and I'm looking into coaching now. Hopefully in the future will have chance to work with you all.

Gaz
I Am A Footballer,I Am Good,I Am Fast And An All Round Good Player, But I Haven't Had Any Luck Could Anyone Help Me Out?

jakemcd
lots of young players deserve to be watched bye scouts but there are just not enough.there should be more

Daniel
Hello,i'm a young nigerian, talented can play in many positions,with a strong desire 2 be a pro footballer ...a chance is jst what most of us needs in dis country we neva get d chance

A TO THE H
I play for a football team in burmm town and i want to get scouted then every in few yrs time then i will be a pro player signing my first contract 4 aston villa may god help me to progress in my football career

conor
i am a 12 year old goalkeeper - i would also love to be scouted one day

chris pearson
i play for a 6 a side team in a sunday league , i have always wanted to play for a propper football team just never had the chance ?

Vivi
Sucess is mostly about luck and opportunities that may drop your way.I also think with great determination the subconcious mind power would grant me my dreams of play pro in England.

chalky
im a 18 year old and my dream has 2 always play football ive tryed so many differant sides and leagues but its so hard at the moment and there are so many side that are not willing to give trials and no one can realsie thats why we are running out of young english talant

ben 14
i also want to be a pro footballer but there is no opportunitys where i live!any advise plz

afghan star
i am 16 year old my dream was to became a footballer so badly because i wanted to be the afghani player to football professionaly and make my country good. as their is no afghani player in Uk.

Immanuel
I am 18 yrs old and i too have the same dream of being a top pro ... with this sport especially there are too many doubters but i think that the secret is to keep working and training hard and believe in yourself and if you really want it your chance will come and you will have to take it. Thats what iam doing anyway peace

kwame a
i think most of these clubs don't really know how to bring up youth players.

Honesty
as a nigerian, the challenges we young footballers face is lack sponsores. Those who have the power to help young skilled footballers like myself grow tends to give the opportunity to their siblings or friends. i am a right full back 5ft10 and i tend to have goal scoring ability . i have played in a major competition and i scored a goal. who would help build my career? thats the question nobody is available to answer

emmanuel
i'm a young football player but i will be glad if any club call me for secreening to show my self up that we be ok

Demi Gods 4 sale
Pratts,Get a real J-O-Bstill you get all the fit looking women.{but they inscure and stupid}Most Scollars still think the game is over payed.if the nation was not over weight,the sport would be good for the country..

Dan Dawson 17yr
my dream is to become a pro footballer i have been on trial at shrewsbury town before and i am currently playing for caersws in the welsh premier league which is a good standard but i wont to progress upwards.

I dont say my name
I think you dont need to be bad or good to join one of the league and here is one tip to be good at sportno matter how tough you are, no matter if you are such a good bodybuilder but the way to be good is have trus in your self

olatunde
i want to be a football player really bad am only 17 year old i will be really glad if i got scouted is my dream



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