Hull City AFC Football In The Community - Providing Football Coaching and Fun Days to kids in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Telephone: 01482 304758
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Goals
For many footballers, the ultimate dream is to represent their country.
If you have a natural talent for something, then it’s important to set yourself achievable goals. A good starting point for any determined footballer is the school team and then Sunday League. Once you’ve settled into a team, your next goal is to be the best player in that team. The best players could progress to a representative team; these players are more likely to be seen by a Hull City Scout.
Scouts are always looking out for the most talented and most effective players in the area. If you impress you could be invited for a trial with the Centre of Excellence. The COE have squads from under 9 to under 16. If you impress again, you could become a registered Hull City player – the first step to a possible football career.
At this point it would be easy to think you have made it, but it’s certainly not a time to relax, you must still focus on being the best of the best. Players with a real desire for the game and a determination to succeed are more likely to achieve a career in football; the right attitude is just as important as skill.
When a young player reaches school leaving age, they may be taken on as a full time apprentice. Now they will play in the Juniors (under 19’s), possibly play in the Reserves and possibly play in the first team. Even established professionals need to remind themselves of the hard work they have put in; they must continue to do so to maintain their career and to play at the highest possible level.
Along the way you will be given lots of advice and hopefully lots of encouragement. You should listen and respect the views of other people. Remember it is extremely difficult to make it as a professional footballer, and there’s no point chasing unrealistic dreams - an honest opinion is vital. Players at the COE are also expected to put lots of effort in to their school work. There’s no guarantee they will be taken on full time, from a squad of sixteen players, only 5 or 6 may be given the opportunity to progress.
Question for Michael Turner
Q. What were your goals as a young player and have they changed? Do you set yourself short term goals? Have you made any plans for your future after your football career?
A. As a young player I didn’t set any goals other than enjoying myself at every level I played at. For me it was never a case of thinking ‘I have to make it as a professional’, I just worked as hard as I could and it’s primarily that hard work that has got me to where I am today. I don’t really set short-term goals to be honest. I’m the kind of person that takes each day as it comes along and see what challenges are thrown my way. As regards a career after football, it’s not something I’ve really looked at yet but I’ll be looking at different options in the not too distant future. It’s obviously important to have some kind of idea of what avenue you want to take once your playing days are over.
