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Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:25 am
by BobHaidong
This coming Sunday my son is taking part in the North v South game at Lilleshall for a place in the England Schoolboy’s U18 squad. If successful, he will play in games against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland during 2022.
He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, who has never been given a chance by academies over the years. I believe partly due to being relatively small in his age group (he’s was a July born baby but he’s now 6’2”), and partly due to being in a very good grass roots team where he was rarely allowed to show what he can do. We did have him play in a much weaker team as well, but unfortunately the opposition he played against were weaker too so he had the same problem.
This season he has been part of AFC Blackpool’s U18 squad that got to the first round proper of the FA youth cup, and was the ‘hero’ of the penalty shootout win against Wrexham.
He’s just started getting noticed this year and has had a trial for a pro contract at Fleetwood Town ( I naively thought they were looking at him for their academy but he’s too old). Fleetwood really like him, and although they didn’t offer him a pro contract, they’ve invited him back to train whenever he is on half term from college, and they have said they will keep a close eye on him.
A couple of weeks ago, AFC Blackpool have signed him for the first team to play in the North West Counties, but he hasn’t had his chance yet. He’s been the first team keeper at Haslingden St Mary’s in the West Lancs League since just after the start of last season.
On Monday evening I had a phone call inviting him for a trial at a Championship club with a Cat1 academy just down the M65.
Obviously very proud of the boy, and I know I’ve gone on a bit, but just wanted to let you know how a Burnley born lad is doing, and to ask you all to send positive thoughts for him on Sunday 19th December.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:32 am
by FCBurnley
Wish him all the good luck and hope he gets his break
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:33 am
by Cubanforever
Great read, good luck to him, I'll be keeping tabs
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:18 am
by BurnleyFC
The very best of luck to the young man.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:30 am
by Covclaret
Good luck to your lad. I know how you feel. Different sport (hockey) but same position for my lad. He made it into the National under 21’s a couple of years ago and is hoping to get a shot at the National senior squad in the New Year. Look forward to hearing how your lad gets on.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 6:49 am
by superdimitri
Good luck from me, on my birthday too!
Pickford is 6'1" and the England goalkeeper. In the modern game if he can pick a pass and a throw without sacrificing goalkeeping duty it will go a long way.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 7:35 am
by The Enclosure
Good luck to your son Bob.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 7:41 am
by beddie
Good luck to your Son, he sounds to be doing really well. It’s a great opportunity for him. The selection process can be ruthless at times so it’s important that he takes everything in his stride. If he keeps a positive attitude and works hard then you never know. I wish him the best of luck on Sunday and for the future. Keep us posted.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:43 am
by barracuda
Great to read. Just shows how players can come through and shine later especially for physical reasons. Too much emphasis on power football in teenage years from what i have seen, but its hard to avoid that when it's competitive - good luck to him and hope he enjoys the experience
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:18 am
by minnieclaret
Best wishes for a long, successful career, as long as it’s not halfway down the M65.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:11 pm
by ClaretFelix
Good luck Marcus, although having played with him these last couple of seasons, he won't need it!!!
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:12 pm
by PadihamThickNeck
Good luck young man.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 3:31 pm
by Quickenthetempo
Good luck to him.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 3:59 pm
by Claretforever
To be honest, we could do with a Clarets supporting keeper in the Rovers nets when we play them again.
Very best of luck to your son. You sound rightfully very proud of him, which comes through loud and clear on your post. I hope he makes it.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:52 pm
by Sheedyclaret
All the best a grest story
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:57 pm
by kentonclaret
Good luck to your son on December 19th.
I can recall when the England schoolboys used to play an international match at the old Wembley Stadium and I went several times.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 9:31 pm
by tiger76
A rare pleasure to read a nice story on this forum, best of luck to your lad on Sunday, and it'll be interesting to monitor his future progress.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:02 pm
by IanMcL
May good health and agility be with him.
Good luck.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:55 pm
by BobHaidong
Thanks everyone. I know he’ll give it his absolute best.
They’ve normally named the successful trialists at each stage by the following evening, so I hope to give you all good news on Monday.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:57 pm
by BobHaidong
ClaretFelix wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:11 pm
Good luck Marcus, although having played with him these last couple of seasons, he won't need it!!!
You obviously know who I am now, although you’d never have guessed from my username.
Give me a clue
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:03 am
by ClaretFelix
BobHaidong wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:57 pm
You obviously know who I am now, although you’d never have guessed from my username.
Give me a clue
Pc
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 1:28 pm
by warksclaret
BobHaidong wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:25 am
This coming Sunday my son is taking part in the North v South game at Lilleshall for a place in the England Schoolboy’s U18 squad. If successful, he will play in games against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland during 2022.
He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, who has never been given a chance by academies over the years. I believe partly due to being relatively small in his age group (he’s was a July born baby but he’s now 6’2”), and partly due to being in a very good grass roots team where he was rarely allowed to show what he can do. We did have him play in a much weaker team as well, but unfortunately the opposition he played against were weaker too so he had the same problem.
This season he has been part of AFC Blackpool’s U18 squad that got to the first round proper of the FA youth cup, and was the ‘hero’ of the penalty shootout win against Wrexham.
He’s just started getting noticed this year and has had a trial for a pro contract at Fleetwood Town ( I naively thought they were looking at him for their academy but he’s too old). Fleetwood really like him, and although they didn’t offer him a pro contract, they’ve invited him back to train whenever he is on half term from college, and they have said they will keep a close eye on him.
A couple of weeks ago, AFC Blackpool have signed him for the first team to play in the North West Counties, but he hasn’t had his chance yet. He’s been the first team keeper at Haslingden St Mary’s in the West Lancs League since just after the start of last season.
On Monday evening I had a phone call inviting him for a trial at a Championship club with a Cat1 academy just down the M65.
Obviously very proud of the boy, and I know I’ve gone on a bit, but just wanted to let you know how a Burnley born lad is doing, and to ask you all to send positive thoughts for him on Sunday 19th December.
Wish him every success-you must be very proud
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 3:58 pm
by MT03ALG
BobHaidong wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:25 am
This coming Sunday my son is taking part in the North v South game at Lilleshall for a place in the England Schoolboy’s U18 squad. If successful, he will play in games against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland during 2022.
He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, who has never been given a chance by academies over the years. I believe partly due to being relatively small in his age group (he’s was a July born baby but he’s now 6’2”), and partly due to being in a very good grass roots team where he was rarely allowed to show what he can do. We did have him play in a much weaker team as well, but unfortunately the opposition he played against were weaker too so he had the same problem.
This season he has been part of AFC Blackpool’s U18 squad that got to the first round proper of the FA youth cup, and was the ‘hero’ of the penalty shootout win against Wrexham.
He’s just started getting noticed this year and has had a trial for a pro contract at Fleetwood Town ( I naively thought they were looking at him for their academy but he’s too old). Fleetwood really like him, and although they didn’t offer him a pro contract, they’ve invited him back to train whenever he is on half term from college, and they have said they will keep a close eye on him.
A couple of weeks ago, AFC Blackpool have signed him for the first team to play in the North West Counties, but he hasn’t had his chance yet. He’s been the first team keeper at Haslingden St Mary’s in the West Lancs League since just after the start of last season.
On Monday evening I had a phone call inviting him for a trial at a Championship club with a Cat1 academy just down the M65.
Obviously very proud of the boy, and I know I’ve gone on a bit, but just wanted to let you know how a Burnley born lad is doing, and to ask you all to send positive thoughts for him on Sunday 19th December.
He is also part of the Lancashire Schools' F.A. Under 18 Squad.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 4:02 pm
by MT03ALG
I thought the Final Trial was on Sunday 12th. December ?
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 4:05 pm
by MT03ALG
I note that the Final Trial is now on Sunday 19th. December at Lilleshall - time ?
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 8:46 pm
by Claretitus
Best wishes to your son, hope he goes on to make it in the pro- game. It really is a case of being in the right place at the right time, and getting a break. As you stated, a good keeper in a good junior side, maybe doesn’t get much of a chance to shine. Fingers crossed for him.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 10:32 pm
by BobHaidong
MT03ALG wrote: ↑Wed Dec 15, 2021 4:05 pm
I note that the Final Trial is now on Sunday 19th. December at Lilleshall - time ?
I think it was the U15 girls on the 12th.
Kick off for the U18s is 1.30pm
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:07 pm
by MT03ALG
I hope it goes ahead. Any boys from Watford selected ?
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 6:24 pm
by BobHaidong
Well, I’ve had the email today to say Marcus hasn’t been selected for the final squad. In the bit of the warm up I saw, he was the best of the 4 goalkeepers, but he tells me that he’d had a bit of a shocker (a rarity for him) before we got to the pitches, so he was expecting to not be selected. It looks like they’ve gone with the 2 South Keepers.
At the end of the day, it’s all about opinions. and in my opinion, one of the South keepers looked awful in the warm up, and he was really poor in the game with a bad mistake leading to one of the goals. I can only assume he was unbelievably good before I got outside. That, or they’ve gone off the fact that he’s at a non league academy. One is at Aldershot, the other is at Woking.
For a lad who’s never had a look in, or even been nominated by his school to even trial for Lancashire before, he’s done tremendously well to get to the final trial. Disappointed, but onwards and upwards.
Congratulations to all the lads that were selected. Bring on Blackburn and Bolton trials in the new year.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:07 pm
by Paul Waine
BobHaidong wrote: ↑Mon Dec 20, 2021 6:24 pm
Well, I’ve had the email today to say Marcus hasn’t been selected for the final squad. In the bit of the warm up I saw, he was the best of the 4 goalkeepers, but he tells me that he’d had a bit of a shocker (a rarity for him) before we got to the pitches, so he was expecting to not be selected. It looks like they’ve gone with the 2 South Keepers.
At the end of the day, it’s all about opinions. and in my opinion, one of the South keepers looked awful in the warm up, and he was really poor in the game with a bad mistake leading to one of the goals. I can only assume he was unbelievably good before I got outside. That, or they’ve gone off the fact that he’s at a non league academy. One is at Aldershot, the other is at Woking.
For a lad who’s never had a look in, or even been nominated by his school to even trial for Lancashire before, he’s done tremendously well to get to the final trial. Disappointed, but onwards and upwards.
Congratulations to all the lads that were selected. Bring on Blackburn and Bolton trials in the new year.
Shame not selected this time. Good luck with all the other trials.
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:10 pm
by ClaretFelix
BobHaidong wrote: ↑Mon Dec 20, 2021 6:24 pm
Well, I’ve had the email today to say Marcus hasn’t been selected for the final squad. In the bit of the warm up I saw, he was the best of the 4 goalkeepers, but he tells me that he’d had a bit of a shocker (a rarity for him) before we got to the pitches, so he was expecting to not be selected. It looks like they’ve gone with the 2 South Keepers.
At the end of the day, it’s all about opinions. and in my opinion, one of the South keepers looked awful in the warm up, and he was really poor in the game with a bad mistake leading to one of the goals. I can only assume he was unbelievably good before I got outside. That, or they’ve gone off the fact that he’s at a non league academy. One is at Aldershot, the other is at Woking.
For a lad who’s never had a look in, or even been nominated by his school to even trial for Lancashire before, he’s done tremendously well to get to the final trial. Disappointed, but onwards and upwards.
Congratulations to all the lads that were selected. Bring on Blackburn and Bolton trials in the new year.
His time will come pal, he's absolutely unbelievable, especially for his age. Reminds me of Tom Heaton, just never seems to make mistakes and can pull the team out of the mire when needed!
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:15 pm
by FCBurnley
Blackburn trial ? Oh no
Re: Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:03 pm
by minnieclaret
Don’t let his chin drop. Far more top players never played for England schoolboys than did.
Keep working hard and he’ll get what he deserves.
Best wishes to him.
