ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Should I bother?

I'm 17 now and well i've basically given up playing for proper football teams as i'm probably too old to get into a profesional club. I had been scouted when i was 14 by Everton, I met JP Kissock and at the time he seemed like a nice lad, I broke my leg 5 minutes into my trial. I havn't played a proper match in years other than mess-abouts.

Anyway my point is, do you think I should bother trying again, looking at the shite on the pitch like Hibbert and Neville? They give me a genuine belief that I can make it as I have many things they don't ? including, pace, passing (accurate), accurate shooting, heading and the will to take a man on. What should I do?
Dave Ashton, Maghull Posted 25/09/2007 at 21:40:23

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

Jaysus, Dave... breaking your leg 5 minutes into your trail! Man, that's rough. Although some may be surprised you weren't offered a long-term contract on the spot!

Since we mere fans know so little about football (apparently), I doubt that we are the best ones to advise you on your future prospects but having the skills you list, I can't imagine the level of frustration you must experience watching the lads perform their tricks under the tutelage of Moyes and Irvine. But who knows... you might be a late bloomer. I say Go For It!

Colin Jones
1 Posted 25/09/2007 at 22:34:59

I say go for it mate. If you try and don’t make it it’ll be much better than ending up wondering ’What If...’ the rest of your life. I think Miroslav Klose only started playing footy in his 20s and look at where he is now so I suspect your age isn’t a big deal. Plus if you do make it the rewards are obvious.

Gavin Harris
2 Posted 25/09/2007 at 22:38:44

I would go for it. Although, if you fail you will need backup so get some education while you do it. Thats my advice away.

Joachim Alm
3 Posted 25/09/2007 at 22:38:14

I think you should give it a try, 17 is not that old...Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was playing in div 4 holland before being noticed any topflight club, and that was when he was 24! So you still have alot of time and if its meant to be you’ll succed and if you do I hope to see you in the blue shirt!

James Newcombe
4 Posted 25/09/2007 at 22:36:53

Dave, personally I would probably kill to have the ability to play for Oxford City (even lower than United!); it’d be better to have a go now, than be sat in 20 years time wondering ’what if?’

Ray Robinson
5 Posted 25/09/2007 at 22:45:44

Dave, of course you should give it a go. Try playing for Southport U18 Youth team or a team like that who are based somewhere in the Maghull area. I’m 54 but have only just given up the dream of playing for the Blues. Even now I’m a better passer than Hibbert and I can blast a penalty over the bar to rival Andy Johnson

Keep up the education though!

John Pickles
6 Posted 25/09/2007 at 23:01:32

All those who can pass better than Hibbert please dont add to the list here, I doubt the server could handle it.

jarrod prosser
7 Posted 25/09/2007 at 23:14:16

Don’t die wondering.

I tried for a professional basketball career here in Australia before tearing up a knee at 16.

At 18, decided on following the 2nd passion (goalkeeping) and made it to a level below national league - if only for the one season.

Put your hat into the ring - you never know where you could end up.

Remember Malcolm Christie? Playing amatuers, just happened to be seen by the right person and ended up with a relatively successful premiership career.

Blue Swede
8 Posted 25/09/2007 at 23:29:05

JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brendan McLaughlin
9 Posted 26/09/2007 at 00:18:18

Go for it Dave. Does anybody remember Gary Mabbutt? He had been written off because of a heart condition (?) but he wrote to all the teams in the first division as it was then. Spurs gave him a trial and he went on to have a very successful career.

Don’t forget to mention Toffeeweb when you make it big and are doing a piece in some footy mag as to what inspired you to not give up.

Jesus I feel a film coming on. Title anyone?

jason burrows
10 Posted 26/09/2007 at 02:31:28

your suyppost to play football for fun mate

Paul Daly
11 Posted 26/09/2007 at 02:47:49

...........do it kid...failure you can get over, regret will kill you....(oh and if you succeed and sign for the redshite, yer dead!!!!)

Mikhail Ridhuan
12 Posted 26/09/2007 at 03:15:06

You only got one life dude. Might as well live it doing what you love to do.

But don’t forget, education is bliss. Sometimes.

Anthony Newell
13 Posted 26/09/2007 at 08:43:18

Go for it, otherwise you’ll always be wondering what could have been. Don’t live life with regrets

chris keightley
14 Posted 26/09/2007 at 08:50:07

Mate you have time on your hands if you have got it it will be noticed, i was at luton as a kid yts but wasent good enough, i then played for hitchin town, baldock town with kevin phillips as my partner upfront, was spotted and ended up at caen in france where i played for three great seasons its never to late mate.

Dave Richman
15 Posted 26/09/2007 at 08:59:13

I’m 46 and brought my wrecked knees and dodgy achilles out of retirement on Monday night to join a bunch of over 35’s for a game of indoor footy. I’m still unable to walk, was totally hopeless, came close to a coronary, had about 50 shots - none of which went in - the only goal I got in a 25 goal thriller was a header from about 3 inches out which even I couldn’t miss.

Yet, despite all this, deep down, I still feel I could do the business in central midfield for the Blues.....

So, 17 year old Dave, it’s an absolute no-brainer mate. You HAVE to go for it!!

Brian Wolf
16 Posted 26/09/2007 at 09:40:03

17!!!!

Nah, your too old now lad, give it up as a bad experience and get yourself a proper job in admin. Or you could always be a celebrity chef, worked for Gordon Ramsay when his career went to shit.

Tommy Coleman
17 Posted 26/09/2007 at 10:46:58

When I see Hibbert and Neville try to pass the ball I think of making a go of it myself and i’m 33.

You must go for it otherwise you will forever wonder what might have been.

Brian Waring
18 Posted 26/09/2007 at 11:32:35

Didn’t Ian Wright come into football at a late age?Crewe are always crying out for young lads(I think they actually hold open days for lads to come and try out)you couldn’t go far wrong starting out with someone like that, if you were able to.One bit of advice.If you did make it,and Everton came sniffing round you,run a mile.We would only fuck you up!

Nick Broadhurst
19 Posted 26/09/2007 at 12:39:21

I say go for it. Remember Ossie didn’t break into the first team squad until he was 24.

tony finn
20 Posted 26/09/2007 at 12:42:16

if you havent played a proper match "in years" cos you broke your leg, then it would appear to me (and coaches of teams) that you have neither the hunger nor attitude to make it as a pro footballer. sorry to sound negative , but lads all over the city break legs playing for alehouse teams and play again for them, but you didnt fancy it despite being triallist standard. it doesnt look good on your footballing CV.

Craig Walker
21 Posted 26/09/2007 at 13:28:28

Don’t ever give up playing Dave! I’m 33 and scored two good goals last night taking on 3 players and tucking it in the bottom corner. I might apply for a trial myself. In fact my mum’s 68 and she wouldn’t give the ball straight to the opposition as much as Neville and Hibbert do and I’m not joking! She’d also play for less than 20 grand a week (I think).

Dave LYNCH
22 Posted 26/09/2007 at 16:10:22

Davey boy.
I’m 46 and still turn out every monday night.
Getting a bit slow and the young lads cruise past me now.
Well they do if they avoid the size 9 aimed in their direction.
Go for it buddy.

Dave Roberts
23 Posted 26/09/2007 at 22:07:42

I’m 79 and the arthritis is beginning to affect my game. But if I was 17 again and I thought I was good enough I would never give up until all reasonable calculations told me it was impossible. Just make sure you don’t have a permanent weakness in your leg but GIVE IT A GO! Georgie Best was 16 before anybody noticed him!!.Alan Ball was turned down by numerous clubs as a kid and look what happened to him! GET STUCK IN!

Roy coyne
24 Posted 26/09/2007 at 22:13:07

Listen mate a pal of mine was offered trials with both us and the redshite (who he supported) he amazed us all by turning both down as the clubs wanted to try him out as a goalie while he thought midfield was his best position his dad went ballistic and warned him of the regret he would feel in years to come well that was 40years ago and now after too many beers hes like the character Marlon Brando played in the water front "I could have made it" is his lament and sadly a lot of us agree with him so learn from others go for it and good luck