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Post by Robo10 on Aug 22, 2024 11:27:32 GMT
I've known Ad since he was a nipper, and his mum and dad since school in the 80s
Dedicated and hard working lad, bright as a button A grade student, sacrificed loads to follow his dream - playing football with mates, cricket was stopped, forget most social things, straight from school to training, matches all over the place at weekends.
I was saddened when he was released, just after it looked like he was going to break through - some of the comments above came after some of you maybe saw him in 1 cup game where he was nervous as to make his debut?
Hope he makes a real go of it at Leek, many a footballer has dropped down before coming back and making it, but as mentioned above hundreds dont every year. It takes a special kind of resilience to stick at it and keep chasing the dream.
Because thats what it is for most of us who weren't good enough - a dream - but he actually was and got to play in the stripes on the pitch. No idea why MoN suddenly went from talking him up to release very quickly, but he was losing the plot by that point.
Good luck Ports!
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Post by werrington on Aug 22, 2024 11:31:24 GMT
It’s not just some predetermined thing whether a player will be “good enough” though is it.. a huge amount comes down to small elements early in their careers.. maintaining focus at the right time, getting the opportunities, knowing best position, and a whole bundle of luck. Just because this particular player is where he is doesn’t mean he couldn’t have ended up at a way higher level under slightly tweaked circumstances. For every academy product that gets a good professional contract there’s probably a hundred others just as talented who don’t take the crucial step up at the right time Absolutely spot on. Can't emphasis enough after watching my own lad's and others' journey just how much is down to luck, opportunity, face fitting, being in the right place at the right time, and perception/opinion. I've seen players way beyond others who don't get gigs for whatever reason, and vice versa. The environment in kids football can be a really cruel one - only this week my lad was offered a contract with a club only for them to go back on their word when I called to accept. Imagine picking the pieces of him up after that shattering news. Totally unacceptable (it wasn't Stoke btw) practice where a kid is involved. But resilience is one of the greatest traits that you can have - my lad will smash other doors down as he's that kind.....quiet, but hugely determined. Adam Porter and those like him have not failed or weren't good enough by ending up at Leek Town and the like - sometimes the stars don't align, especially when you are a footballer first and a running machine second. At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful |
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Post by LGH87 on Aug 22, 2024 11:36:41 GMT
Absolutely spot on. Can't emphasis enough after watching my own lad's and others' journey just how much is down to luck, opportunity, face fitting, being in the right place at the right time, and perception/opinion. I've seen players way beyond others who don't get gigs for whatever reason, and vice versa. The environment in kids football can be a really cruel one - only this week my lad was offered a contract with a club only for them to go back on their word when I called to accept. Imagine picking the pieces of him up after that shattering news. Totally unacceptable (it wasn't Stoke btw) practice where a kid is involved. But resilience is one of the greatest traits that you can have - my lad will smash other doors down as he's that kind.....quiet, but hugely determined. Adam Porter and those like him have not failed or weren't good enough by ending up at Leek Town and the like - sometimes the stars don't align, especially when you are a footballer first and a running machine second. At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful I had a similar experience with the city. We played a friendly against them which was arranged so that Mel Maskew (forgive me if the surname is spelt wrong) could take a look at me properly after seeing me play in a small sided tournament at Northwood. He requested our manager played me on the wing, I was a centre forward coming off the back of a 30 goal season. Despite playing out of position I scored 3, set up another and had a really good game despite playing out of position. What Mel didn't know I don't think is a lot of my mates were in the city side that day and they told me after the game that his only instructions to them pre game was to "kick the shit out of their no.8". I never heard anything from the City side again after that day, not sure what more I could've done  |
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Post by bunnyscfc on Aug 22, 2024 11:36:47 GMT
Absolutely spot on. Can't emphasis enough after watching my own lad's and others' journey just how much is down to luck, opportunity, face fitting, being in the right place at the right time, and perception/opinion. I've seen players way beyond others who don't get gigs for whatever reason, and vice versa. The environment in kids football can be a really cruel one - only this week my lad was offered a contract with a club only for them to go back on their word when I called to accept. Imagine picking the pieces of him up after that shattering news. Totally unacceptable (it wasn't Stoke btw) practice where a kid is involved. But resilience is one of the greatest traits that you can have - my lad will smash other doors down as he's that kind.....quiet, but hugely determined. Adam Porter and those like him have not failed or weren't good enough by ending up at Leek Town and the like - sometimes the stars don't align, especially when you are a footballer first and a running machine second. At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful My lad's just had 2 weeks at a Championship club. They admitted he was their star performer over 6 games and was outstanding......1 goal and 7 assists as a cdm. They then told him there was never a contract on offer. Over the same period they had a lad who they played as a midfielder who was a striker - never gave him a go up front. Talk about being set up to fail. |
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Post by bunnyscfc on Aug 22, 2024 11:41:31 GMT
Basically, folk need not to say on here "they were never good enough" etc. Many are. Thing is, many become so disillusioned with the game that they give up - or worse. My lad on Monday/Tuesday was as low as he's ever been. I was worried. His self worth and self esteem was zero, and at that point you can see why so many actually leave the sport. Given up 10 years of his life to focus on something that less than 1% achieve - luckily, from day 1, he's done well at skool and played cricket. He's also made time for his mates.
He's the lucky one in a way. Many don't do this and so the blow is even harder to take. I'm his biggest critic and yet he's way ahead of some already been given scholarships and contracts - I mean miles ahead. Getting your head around rejection is almost impossible for kids - some on here need to realise that, and not simply write players off. I'd be delighted if my lad ended up at Leek Town.
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Post by bunnyscfc on Aug 22, 2024 11:42:38 GMT
People think I post videos of his goals and stuff on social media to show off. Quite the opposite......it's the only esteem-builder he's had for some time.
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Post by LGH87 on Aug 22, 2024 12:13:56 GMT
At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful My lad's just had 2 weeks at a Championship club. They admitted he was their star performer over 6 games and was outstanding......1 goal and 7 assists as a cdm. They then told him there was never a contract on offer. Over the same period they had a lad who they played as a midfielder who was a striker - never gave him a go up front. Talk about being set up to fail. It seems so backwards, to have him on trial and say he was their star performer over 6 games. Not even like it's 1 or 2 games but then turn around and say there was never a contract. What's the point? |
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Post by redandy on Aug 22, 2024 12:19:19 GMT
Basically, folk need not to say on here "they were never good enough" etc. Many are. Thing is, many become so disillusioned with the game that they give up - or worse. My lad on Monday/Tuesday was as low as he's ever been. I was worried. His self worth and self esteem was zero, and at that point you can see why so many actually leave the sport. Given up 10 years of his life to focus on something that less than 1% achieve - luckily, from day 1, he's done well at skool and played cricket. He's also made time for his mates. He's the lucky one in a way. Many don't do this and so the blow is even harder to take. I'm his biggest critic and yet he's way ahead of some already been given scholarships and contracts - I mean miles ahead. Getting your head around rejection is almost impossible for kids - some on here need to realise that, and not simply write players off. I'd be delighted if my lad ended up at Leek Town. Hope he keeps at it Bunny, the pschology of being rejected at such a young age is difficult and makes most give up straight away. I did similar with athletics, soon as I was competing at national level and not winning every time, I thought what's the point and gave up. Even if it's not football, all you want is for your kids, is to be happy, success can't always be measured and happiness can be even harder to attain, good luck to your son. |
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Post by tpholloway1 on Aug 22, 2024 12:22:06 GMT
People think I post videos of his goals and stuff on social media to show off. Quite the opposite......it's the only esteem-builder he's had for some time. He's lucky, mate, he's got a sensible dad. Imagine what it must be like for the kids who are "pushed" by their parents to the point where nothing else matters. |
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Post by bunnyscfc on Aug 22, 2024 12:36:36 GMT
Oh, I push him mate, and his mum pushed him over skool work - but we have constantly made sure he is with his mates as much as he can, and that he loves other sports. he also has a brother and a sister.
It's really hard for football not to become a job at 13/14/15 - it has to be loved. Over the last 2 years, that love has been knocked out of him but going on trial elsewhere has shown him that there is far more out there than Cat 1 academies.
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Post by bunnyscfc on Aug 22, 2024 12:38:40 GMT
Basically, folk need not to say on here "they were never good enough" etc. Many are. Thing is, many become so disillusioned with the game that they give up - or worse. My lad on Monday/Tuesday was as low as he's ever been. I was worried. His self worth and self esteem was zero, and at that point you can see why so many actually leave the sport. Given up 10 years of his life to focus on something that less than 1% achieve - luckily, from day 1, he's done well at skool and played cricket. He's also made time for his mates. He's the lucky one in a way. Many don't do this and so the blow is even harder to take. I'm his biggest critic and yet he's way ahead of some already been given scholarships and contracts - I mean miles ahead. Getting your head around rejection is almost impossible for kids - some on here need to realise that, and not simply write players off. I'd be delighted if my lad ended up at Leek Town. Hope he keeps at it Bunny, the pschology of being rejected at such a young age is difficult and makes most give up straight away. I did similar with athletics, soon as I was competing at national level and not winning every time, I thought what's the point and gave up. Even if it's not football, all you want is for your kids, is to be happy, success can't always be measured and happiness can be even harder to attain, good luck to your son. Spot on mate, and thank you. That's why tonight - when I'm down the M6 for a trial night - we have a laugh, p*** about, and generally just enjoy dad/lad time. He's a very easy lad to like, but in a way that's the problem. Maybe if he acted like a gangster and wore Balenciaga and Off White..... |
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Post by stokemaro on Aug 22, 2024 13:33:26 GMT
At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful My lad's just had 2 weeks at a Championship club. They admitted he was their star performer over 6 games and was outstanding......1 goal and 7 assists as a cdm. They then told him there was never a contract on offer. Over the same period they had a lad who they played as a midfielder who was a striker - never gave him a go up front. Talk about being set up to fail. I have enjoyed following this journey. I am sure a better opportunity than PNE will present itself for him. |
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Post by redandy on Aug 22, 2024 13:33:31 GMT
Hope he keeps at it Bunny, the pschology of being rejected at such a young age is difficult and makes most give up straight away. I did similar with athletics, soon as I was competing at national level and not winning every time, I thought what's the point and gave up. Even if it's not football, all you want is for your kids, is to be happy, success can't always be measured and happiness can be even harder to attain, good luck to your son. Spot on mate, and thank you. That's why tonight - when I'm down the M6 for a trial night - we have a laugh, p*** about, and generally just enjoy dad/lad time. He's a very easy lad to like, but in a way that's the problem. Maybe if he acted like a gangster and wore Balenciaga and Off White..... Haha I’m sure you’ll keep him grounded and humble, I hate seeing kids in £350 t shirts when they’ve clearly never worked a day in their lives, it’s the best way to ruin them. |
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Post by smiler_andy on Aug 22, 2024 14:35:57 GMT
Vardy was around 25 when he signed for Leicester and he had 7 seasons in non-league football So players can make it from non-league it is not just about talent it includes mindset. Then taking the chance when you get it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Vardy |
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Post by werrington on Aug 22, 2024 14:49:40 GMT
Vardy was around 25 when he signed for Leicester and he had 7 seasons in non-league football So players can make it from non-league it is not just about talent it includes mindset. Then taking the chance when you get it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_VardyIan Wright is another example He was 22 when Palace picked him up |
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Post by somersetpotter on Aug 22, 2024 14:54:17 GMT
Vardy was around 25 when he signed for Leicester and he had 7 seasons in non-league football So players can make it from non-league it is not just about talent it includes mindset. Then taking the chance when you get it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Vardy1 person making it up from non-league and having a great career doesn't mean they can all do it |
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Post by newsteadst3 on Aug 22, 2024 15:45:18 GMT
Vardy was around 25 when he signed for Leicester and he had 7 seasons in non-league football So players can make it from non-league it is not just about talent it includes mindset. Then taking the chance when you get it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Vardy1 person making it up from non-league and having a great career doesn't mean they can all do it Stuart Pearce did okay to be fair wasn't he 21? |
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Aug 22, 2024 16:21:43 GMT
1 person making it up from non-league and having a great career doesn't mean they can all do it Stuart Pearce did okay to be fair wasn't he 21? Add Les Ferdinand to the list as well - linkAnd Stan Collymore - let go by Wolves, then joined Stafford Rangers. |
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 22, 2024 17:44:03 GMT
Stuart Pearce did okay to be fair wasn't he 21? Add Les Ferdinand to the list as well - linkAnd Stan Collymore - let go by Wolves, then joined Stafford Rangers. Ian Wright, Chris Smalling, Max Kilman, Louis Moult. |
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 22, 2024 17:48:52 GMT
Absolutely spot on. Can't emphasis enough after watching my own lad's and others' journey just how much is down to luck, opportunity, face fitting, being in the right place at the right time, and perception/opinion. I've seen players way beyond others who don't get gigs for whatever reason, and vice versa. The environment in kids football can be a really cruel one - only this week my lad was offered a contract with a club only for them to go back on their word when I called to accept. Imagine picking the pieces of him up after that shattering news. Totally unacceptable (it wasn't Stoke btw) practice where a kid is involved. But resilience is one of the greatest traits that you can have - my lad will smash other doors down as he's that kind.....quiet, but hugely determined. Adam Porter and those like him have not failed or weren't good enough by ending up at Leek Town and the like - sometimes the stars don't align, especially when you are a footballer first and a running machine second. At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful You’re not my dad are you?🤣 I followed precisely the same path of destruction in footy. Left and right winger (mainly left), played for Longton, got picked for Stoke schools and was picked at right back. What a coincidence! |
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Post by werrington on Aug 22, 2024 17:53:05 GMT
At a much lower level I can relate My lad was a winger left or right take your pick he could play both and went for city football trials after representing Longton When he turned up those selecting were the represented of Stoke schools and they played him right back without even consulting or looking at him on the wings or speaking to Longton representatives Take him out of it there were lads who had a very good game in the trial match but were rejected for kids from Stoke schools who didn’t stand out …..they were selected before the trials even started so it was sham Life has turned out great for him so there’s no thinking what if but I can fully see where you are coming from In short it’s disgraceful You’re not my dad are you?🤣 I followed precisely the same path of destruction in footy. Left and right winger (mainly left), played for Longton, got picked for Stoke schools and was picked at right back. What a coincidence! If you were my lad you’d be fully behind the rail workers 😊 |
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Post by Robo10 on Aug 22, 2024 17:54:28 GMT
Different story, but my striker in the team I ran in LadsanDads was brilliant, scored a hatful even though we were fairly average, skillful, tricks but just scored goals
Crewe wanted a look at him, and guess where they played my 40 goal striker....right back
He hated it, didnt stand out, didnt bother going back after 2 weeks.
He is now 22/23 and still banging them in for fun in adult football.
It must be a graveyard slot or some sort of personality test.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 22, 2024 17:55:12 GMT
You’re not my dad are you?🤣 I followed precisely the same path of destruction in footy. Left and right winger (mainly left), played for Longton, got picked for Stoke schools and was picked at right back. What a coincidence! If you were my lad you’d be fully behind the rail workers 😊 Touché dad😉 |
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Post by staffordstokiemad1 on Aug 22, 2024 22:36:26 GMT
Some more recent players that made it to pro football clubs after playing in non league, Josh Gordon signed by Leicester City from Stafford Rangers and Cohen Bramall signed by Arsenal from Hednesford Town, both in 2017. Both played for local clubs such as Nantwich, Alsager, Market Drayton and Newcastle Town prior as well.
Josh Gordon is now at Walsall having had a decent career in League 1 and 2 and Cohen Bramall is at Rotherham having played in the Championship and League 1 for them.
It’s no longer all over if you get released from a pro club. Also players can make good money playing in the National League/North and South as well these days.
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Post by biddulphchav on Aug 22, 2024 23:14:22 GMT
As in many walks of life, it’s the mental toughness and drive or will to succeed that separates the elite from the rest of the pack. Of course rejection can hurt, but the ones who really use it to their advantage will make it. Talent of course is a factor but I don’t think it’s the most important ingredient for a young aspiring athlete
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