How do I find football trials as a 14yr old?
Posted by Mr_Bonty@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 13 comments
I've recently been getting into football and found out I really like it, so I want to play for my first team.
I definitely want to play in actual games (even as a sub, I just want a bit of playing time).
I also would prefer to play as a goalkeeper as that's where I feel most comfortable.
So, how do I find trials, I'm asking because I know it's 'trial season' and I went on Facebook and some other websites to look for them and I just can't find any. So how do I find them?
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
Season will be ending now for most youth sides so you will have to wait until July/August for trails but contact all your local clubs within reach and ask what they want. And by clubs I mean various park sides not even non league.
Don't expect to make a career out of it very few do. I have family currently in set ups for a pro football club and he's 8.
wardyms@reddit
I don’t know what you think “trial season” is, but that’s not a thing.
Get your parents to contact local clubs and see if they need players your age.
Knowing what teams your mates at school play for is helpful as presumably you’d like to play with mates?
SpudFire@reddit
Do you not have any school friends that play for teams in your local junior league? Ask them if you can come along to training. There are no trials, you just turn up, pay your subs and whoever dad is manager will probably sign you on to the team.
If you don't have friends that play, find out the local league and which teams are in it and contact some of them. If you can find a league table then pick teams around mid-table to try first as they'll be more likely to want to sign up new players and you're likely to get more time on the pitch. Don't pick the team at the bottom, you'll get hammered every week and the aim will be not to concede double figures...
Mr_Bonty@reddit (OP)
Yeah I looked at my local leagues site but I didn't know what to do so this'll definitely help
Mavz-Billie-@reddit
You’re probably going to have to wait until May/June and then search up and look up any local teams to you. Most clubs do have a contact number so just contact them and let them know your age and the position you play and then take it from there.
Visible_Pipe4716@reddit
If you’re 14 and not already in a premier league academy you’re not going to make it, sorry.
Mr_Bonty@reddit (OP)
I don't want to 'make it' I just want to play
Competitive_Test6697@reddit
Being a keeper in a full game is very different from playing around.
I signed my son up at the local sports complex for 1 on 1 goalkeeping lessons. I'd start there.
Check local Facebook pages for teams,ask around in your school, will be a few friends playing at weekends.
oscarx-ray@reddit
*Ask your parents / guardians to check Facebook for local teams and to speak to them first.
oscarx-ray@reddit
If you haven't played before at all at fourteen, you need to play for your school team, or ask a parent / guardian to find a local team that has a youth section in the area.
You won't get a trial for a team that you've heard of, those kids have been playing since they were able to walk and have already been scouted.
It's great that you want to play, so try your hardest and do your best.
Mr_Bonty@reddit (OP)
Yeah I knew that much, I more so meant open trials rather than scouted trials but thanks for the advice.
oscarx-ray@reddit
If you haven't played before at 14, you don't want a team that has trials, you want a team that plays at a lower level and allows you to train with and play for them, untested - you're unlikely to get a place in a team where players are required to prove their ability at your age.
Once you get into a team like that and show them how good you can be, then you might be able to step up and play at a higher level, but you need to start from the bottom and prove yourself first. I hope you smash it!
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.