Don’t Deny Your Talent

Published: May 5th, 2023

For many years now, I have seen a very familiar story on a repeat basis.
A story of what happens when talented young footballers reach the age of around 16-18, not being offered a clear route into professional football and suddenly decide ‘thats it i give up’.

Perhaps not those words exactly, but the outcome is very similar, the ‘mojo’ is dented, interest decreases, confidence shatters, other external factors kick in and in a flash football is at the bottom of the list.

Those reading this blog will probably be parents, players (young and old) coaches of grassroots teams, scouts, academies, non-league clubs and professional clubs etc and I have no doubt that what I have said above, they will have seen or been aware of.

From most of these groups at some point they will have seen what they thought was a ‘nailed on player who was going to make it‘ – only to find at some point later that the player had disappeared of the radar and believe it or not were not even playing any football whatsoever.

The Talented Player

Lets rewind a little and for the very same audience, we will have seen, known, watched, coached or managed a player who was ‘different’.

The player that had something extra . . . .  technical skills, speed, attitude, dedication, something that little bit different or special that separated them from ‘similar’ players.

If you are a young talented player or even a parent of a talented young player, then please read the remainder of this blog, even if only to be aware of some of the pitfalls that can follow.

This subject I think will resonate with some of the people reading this. I have attempted to write on this subject for years, but if I am totally honest, I have walked away from it so many times.

The subject haunts me. I reflect often of what might have been myself. If at some point I could have realised where I was heading and give myself a reality check.

There is one single purpose of this blog and that is to hope that some talented player reads it, can smell the similarities within it and take a different course of action that I and many others have taken.

Im not a prolific writer so I apologise for interupting the flow of this blog, but I wouldnt be able to rest if I missed out two people, my mum and my dad Mary and Syd.

I, just like the majority of young players out there had maximum support from my parents.

They bought me everything and drove me everywhere.

This little beauty (its not the actual van but a replica photo) was a ‘commer cob’ van. My dad bought it.

Years later I looked back on the football chats that took place to and from games.

It was my mums, my dads and mine ‘mobile boot room’. Most families who have experienced the ‘mobile boot room’ will know that when the player has had a good game, the journey home takes no time, but if the player hasnt played so well, then the journey home seems to take ages and the player doesnt want to speak – I’m sure we’ve all been there with that one.

Back to the blog . . . .

As a young player, you will have watched the Euro’s, the FA Cup, the World Cup and be thinking I want to be like (your favourite player) – and why not ? he made it so why cant you! Quite right but please read on.

I remember some of my early days as what I thought was me as a half decent’ player. I am not sure how talented I was – on reflection I was probably a 6/10 player but I was a bit fiery and had red hair and if I’m honest, that was more noticeable than my football skills.

We all have football heroes and I had one too – The late Billy Bremner, a Scottish central midfielder who played for Leeds United. Most Dads will remember or know of him (I think).

I certainly was nowhere near his level but he was my idol.

I did not feel out of place playing with players locally above my own age group. On reflection, I think playing with older players at the age of 12,13,14  etc did me the world of good.

Mile after Mile after Mile

Fast forward a couple of years and Ive stepped up a gear or two.

A schoolboy footballer from the suburb of Gorton in Manchester and a progression to be scouted by Manchester City (u16’s), my hometown club who nearly all my family had supported and my dreams were taking place.

Whats ahead at 16 years of age?

Probably just like millions of young players around I also had no idea of the cross roads that lay ahead. I have written above about the support of my mum and dad and that never ever wilted.

I reflect back also to 1968 the year relating to the photo at the top of the page. Being born in September 1949, Im then 18 (going on 19) years of age.

In those days, nearly every player played for a Boys club. I was no different, mine was Gorton Boys club, just off Hyde Road in Manchester.

If you were any good at your local club you got trials for the North of England Boys and if you progressed further you were selected for the England Trials.

Mum and dad supported every step. Every train fare (if they could not drive and attend) and time incurred taking me all over the country in the ‘mobile boot room’.

Progression did come. England trials completed and I am selected for the squad and to round it off I’m made captain.

That season my family had driven me mile after mile after mile. It is so long ago and only when i delve into the memory box I can remember the enjoyment that I had. I was on a roll in my mind.

Things were going well and when they are, your character is not put to the test. looking back I sometimes wish it had have been as it may have prepared me better for what lay ahead.

The Person In The Mirror

Unknowingly Im now starting to make mistake number 1.

I’ve not looked properly at how I have got there.

It’s come natural (or so it seemed) – I’ve not put a value on the blessing of a mum and dad that I had, I’ve not thought about the cost / expenditure and commitment that I had been given.

I had made the mistake of  . . . . being complacent. My football ‘career’ to that point was going fine. You can have all the support in the world but one thing I am absolutely convinced of is that the person that will be mostly responsible for the success or failure of your footballing career will more than likely be the person in the mirror . . . . YOU.

Im not sure how you alert yourself of being complacent. I had no idea and probabably never even heard of the word.

Things were going better than I probably had expected.

If there were any warning signs, then I never noticed them and if there were then the offer to sign pro for Cambridge United would have dismissed them.

I think Ive made it !!  . . . . Err, not quite.

I never knew failure and I’d never smelt failure but I was about to make mistake number 2.

I found it hard to break into the 1st team at Cambridge United. I didnt know what full-time football was. I had made the 1st team squad (front row 2nd left) but couldnt break into the team for ages – gettting injured early on didnt help but that is at the bottom of the bag as far as good excuses go.

Ex Manchester City player Bill Leivers was the manager, a wonderful person and manager,a giant in size and in character. All my prior success had come without any hurdles in the way, but this was a test of character for me . . . . and I failed.

I have fond memories of Cambridge United and the boss, but I do question the man in the mirror.

I came back to Manchester after just one season and thought I could rectify a little blip and get a club nearer home. It didnt happen and there was only one person to blame.

All the fire in the belly on the football pitch started to wilt away. The energy that I’d given up to this point obviously resembled a slow puncture. I was drifting away from the game but I dont think I recognised it

For many, many years after that I have looked back and I know for certain that at the time I denied my talent. No matter how decent i might have or might not have been, there was only me to blame.

Did you know you can smell character? I dont mean ‘cocky’, I dont mean ‘big headed’ or ‘arrogant’ but I do mean self belief. I have learnt as a scout over many years that to tidy up your assessment of the player there are many areas of criteria.

A great left foot, a turn of pace, a rocket of a shot are all great to view, but the mindset to deal with both positive and negative situations cannot be ignored. I have met up with many players who had so much ‘talent’ for want of a better word. And when ive asked them what happened with their promising career, the inevitable shrug of the shoulders is the 1st physical reply.

There may never be an end to players backing away from their original ambition of being a professional footballer and I know some peoples personal circumstances for a number of reasons can make the dream impossible.

But where it is a temporary fall out of the game or someones opinion that you may not be good enough, then you do have a right to put your desire and dedication first, question that opinion and make sure that it is not you that denies your talent.

If you are a player that has ‘fallen out with the game’ OR have suffered a set back of someone releasing you from their club, then dont make a rash decision. Remember who and what got you to the point of reaching that level.

If anyone reading this and happens to be a player having a blip on their footballing journey then please go to this page and you will see the perfect example of character – players that had talent, self belief, determination and commitment.

It is more than likely that on your football journey so far you have met a coach, or scout who you can trust. If so, go back to them and get some advice.

I dont think there will be a player who hasnt hit a bad patch or has to face some dissapointing news at some point. Step back, re-evaluate and then step forward.

A career (or not) as a footballer can very often depend on the judgment or opinion(s) of others.

What if you were not quite ready at the time of the decision?

What if that unfortunate injury set you back for a period of time?

Self belief, Determination, Commitment . . . . and a trust in your own ability.

Good Luck

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