Premiership academies

[Parkender]

I know a few of the gang here have kids in academies or go to watch the youth teams regularly so does anyone know if they do trials for kids upto 16? A mate has told me his lad has a trial at Everton tomorrow but I always thought premiership teams rarely took anyone that late.

 

[Eggs]

I know a few of the gang here have kids in academies or go to watch the youth teams regularly so does anyone know if they do trials for kids upto 16? A mate has told me his lad has a trial at Everton tomorrow but I always thought premiership teams rarely took anyone that late.

....I suspect they will take any player they think is good enough regardless of age. Not all players who come through have been attached to academies from an early age. I'm not an advocate of 'trials'. Important thing is lads go out and play organised footy. If they are special they will be noticed.

Many clubs make it seem like they are doing a favour taking youngsters on, the reality is they will quickly disregard them so it's more important that a lad enjoys his game and develops. If he can do that at a club, fine. Seamus Coleman is a great example of having a different route to the top.

I'm old but when I signed for a club I was not allowed to train with them whilst I had representative schoolboy football commitments. How things change.

 

[Coffee and TV]

Everton do actually give lads trials if they've been scouted first. IIRC that young Irish lad we signed scored 4 against United during his trial.