| Academy/scout Advice 08:40 - Jan 26 with 1467 views | LiquidPaz |
Just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation.
Early November, my son had a match for his U11's Saturday team. I run the team and knew a town scout was coming, but I didn’t tell the boys beforehand.
My lad had a bit of a worldy in goal, and the scout came over to talk to me about him. He took his details and said he wanted him to go for a trial.
We sent over all the extra details they required straight away, but after about three weeks with no reply, I sent a polite follow-up email because my lad was asking every day if they’d got back to us.
An hour later, I got an email from their GK coach saying there were no spaces and that my son would be put on a waiting list.
I’m not, and never will be, a pushy parent, but I feel a bit disappointed. My lad has worked so hard to improve, does extra GK training outside of our club, and absolutely loves Ipswich—he’s probably the only fan with Slicker on the back of one of his shirts! 😂
To be honest the confidence boost being recognised gave him was great.
The hard bit is he asks everyday if they’ve emailed with an update. I’ve sat him down and explained that sometimes things don’t happen the way we expect or plans change, but it’s tough seeing so him disappointed.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? |  | | |  |
| Academy/scout Advice on 08:59 - Jan 26 with 1362 views | itfc_bucks |
100%
I was approached about my lad and Spurs in Feb last year. Still waiting and in exactly the same position. |  | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 09:15 - Jan 26 with 1303 views | bsw72 |
Not unusual at all, clubs cast their net far and wide, take details and then sit on them until they have a need to act.
The one thing I would say is that often clubs will track a player once they have details by seeing if they have been called into say a district, county or other representative side and may speak to other managers and league reps they have a relationship with to see if the player has made an impression elsewhere.
These scouts seen hundreds of players a month, so tend not to think about what that conversation means to the youngster concerned unfortunately, which is so tough to explain to the kids involved when it all seems to peter out.
Even if players attend a “trial” , the same outcome can happen, ie no contact etc. |  | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 09:18 - Jan 26 with 1279 views | shamboy |
It's tough. Are you aware they may have watched him again without you knowing?
PS Sorry, but why on Earth did you tell your son they had asked about him? | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:00 - Jan 26 with 1195 views | LiquidPaz |
| Academy/scout Advice on 09:18 - Jan 26 by shamboy |
It's tough. Are you aware they may have watched him again without you knowing?
PS Sorry, but why on Earth did you tell your son they had asked about him? |
I know they wanted to come an earlier match to watch him.
I didn't have a lot of choice, they guy came over straight after the match while my boy was standing there. All his teammates were telling him he'd had a great game.
So he'd worked it out, and to be honest I think I should have told him after the match he'd had.
Besides he is probably the most laid back of all the team, not to say he's not disappointed but takes quite a bit in his stride. | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:03 - Jan 26 with 1174 views | LiquidPaz |
| Academy/scout Advice on 09:15 - Jan 26 by bsw72 |
Not unusual at all, clubs cast their net far and wide, take details and then sit on them until they have a need to act.
The one thing I would say is that often clubs will track a player once they have details by seeing if they have been called into say a district, county or other representative side and may speak to other managers and league reps they have a relationship with to see if the player has made an impression elsewhere.
These scouts seen hundreds of players a month, so tend not to think about what that conversation means to the youngster concerned unfortunately, which is so tough to explain to the kids involved when it all seems to peter out.
Even if players attend a “trial” , the same outcome can happen, ie no contact etc. |
Thanks mate, understandable if not a little frustrating.
However it's all a good lesson for life. | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:04 - Jan 26 with 1169 views | shamboy |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:00 - Jan 26 by LiquidPaz |
I know they wanted to come an earlier match to watch him.
I didn't have a lot of choice, they guy came over straight after the match while my boy was standing there. All his teammates were telling him he'd had a great game.
So he'd worked it out, and to be honest I think I should have told him after the match he'd had.
Besides he is probably the most laid back of all the team, not to say he's not disappointed but takes quite a bit in his stride. |
So the scout could have had a quiet word with you while the game was in progress? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate because I know the damage / distraction clubs can cause. | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:13 - Jan 26 with 1133 views | LiquidPaz |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:04 - Jan 26 by shamboy |
So the scout could have had a quiet word with you while the game was in progress? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate because I know the damage / distraction clubs can cause. |
Yes mate very true, that would have been a good way to do it. Hopefully it's not caused to much disruption.
I appreciate all the advice on this post. It's kind of a nice position to be in and as long as all the boys are enjoying their football that's the main thing.
It hasn't affected the team it's just part and part of kids football now. A bit different to when I was a boy😂 | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:14 - Jan 26 with 1130 views | BrentwoodBlagger2 |
It is very difficult and can be heartbreaking. My son developed a thick skin at a young age and went through the academy process for many years with many ups and downs over the 15 years he played between starting at academy level at 8 years and then pro football. It is a brutal world and most academy teams are built around one or two players and others are there to make up the numbers. Don't be disappointed that the process is slow as the likelihood is that he is still being watched if he has potential. Sounds like you have the right attitude and your son seems to want to improve. Good luck to your son and to you - hope you have a lot of spare time and a reliable car! | | | |
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| Academy/scout Advice on 10:26 - Jan 26 with 1089 views | shamboy |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:14 - Jan 26 by BrentwoodBlagger2 |
It is very difficult and can be heartbreaking. My son developed a thick skin at a young age and went through the academy process for many years with many ups and downs over the 15 years he played between starting at academy level at 8 years and then pro football. It is a brutal world and most academy teams are built around one or two players and others are there to make up the numbers. Don't be disappointed that the process is slow as the likelihood is that he is still being watched if he has potential. Sounds like you have the right attitude and your son seems to want to improve. Good luck to your son and to you - hope you have a lot of spare time and a reliable car! |
There are some great points here. I would really love to know who your son is. Any chance of dropping us any clues?
As for assessing an 11-year-old goalkeeper, blimey, rather them than me. I would say a player who smiles and enjoys the game (so important to scouts), reads some of the moves, instinctively has anticipatory foot movement, confident handling, bravery, and some athleticism. | | | |
| Academy/scout Advice on 11:04 - Jan 26 with 998 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Academy/scout Advice on 10:13 - Jan 26 by LiquidPaz |
Yes mate very true, that would have been a good way to do it. Hopefully it's not caused to much disruption.
I appreciate all the advice on this post. It's kind of a nice position to be in and as long as all the boys are enjoying their football that's the main thing.
It hasn't affected the team it's just part and part of kids football now. A bit different to when I was a boy😂 |
This may seem a daft question but are you of above average height. Clubs place a big emphasis on build.
Not sure where you live but do any other clubs scout in your area? |  |
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| Academy/scout Advice on 11:17 - Jan 26 with 980 views | NeverSayDie |
My son has always played in the Herts leagues and these days the EJA, every season from age 7 to 11, there was always one club or another inviting him somewhere several times a season, not just him mind, lots of boys across the league. In those days, he was a winger and was taller, faster and stronger than other kids, so it’s no surprise they looked at him, but these kids were 7 and 8 and unless they have a god given gift, you’ve no idea what is going to happen as they get older and I didn’t see the value of him being dragged around the Country at his age, my answer was always “not interested”.
Now 13 years old and blooming more slowly than everyone else, he’s currently the 2nd slowest in his team (still quite tall though 🤷♂️) and plays CB, he’s a good player still, but not in demand at all, they want the kids that are developing faster and are stronger and quicker. It’s a cutthroat industry and they couldn’t give a to55 about your kid, it’s all about the club, always. I know this, as several of his team mates and friends accepted invitations and spent time going through the meat grinder, all but 1 are back playing regular grass roots football and wish they’d never got involved. It’s only a matter of time before there’s some sort of documentary on the impact these practices are having on kids at grass roots level, honestly these “scouts” are like parasites. If your boy is any good in a few years time, he’ll be picked up, just focus on him enjoying playing the game and forget about the rest 👍 [Post edited 26 Jan 11:17]
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