Burnley lad in England Schoolboy’s Final Trial

[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.

[FCBurnley]

Wish him all the good luck and hope he gets his break

[Cubanforever]

Great read, good luck to him, I'll be keeping tabs

[BurnleyFC]

The very best of luck to the young man.

[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.

[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.

[The Enclosure]

Good luck to your son Bob.

[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.

[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

[minnieclaret]

Best wishes for a long, successful career, as long as it’s not halfway down the M65.

[ClaretFelix]

Good luck Marcus, although having played with him these last couple of seasons, he won't need it!!!

[PadihamThickNeck]

Good luck young man.

[Quickenthetempo]

Good luck to him.

[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.

[Sheedyclaret]

All the best a grest story

[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.

[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.

[IanMcL]

May good health and agility be with him.

Good luck.

[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.

[BobHaidong]

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

[ClaretFelix]

You obviously know who I am now, although you’d never have guessed from my username.

Give me a clue

Pc

[warksclaret]

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

[MT03ALG]

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.

[MT03ALG]

I thought the Final Trial was on Sunday 12th. December ?

[MT03ALG]

I note that the Final Trial is now on Sunday 19th. December at Lilleshall - time ?

[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.

[BobHaidong]

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

[MT03ALG]

I hope it goes ahead. Any boys from Watford selected ?

[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.

[Paul Waine]

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.

[ClaretFelix]

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!

[FCBurnley]

Blackburn trial ? Oh no

[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.