IS 6 TOO YOUNG TO BE TRAINING WITH A PRO CLUB?

delroofer

My 6 year old grandson Alfie has just been asked to train with Ipswich on Wednesday evenings.

We are all really proud and pleased for him, and he scored a hat-trick last night on his first appearance so he is really excited.

It is a 90 minute journey each way - and it is in the middle of a school week - but his parents are keen that he is not put under any stress or pressure to perform at such a young age. If he shows any signs of a negative reaction at home or at school from the extra training, they will have him taken out.

Have other lifers had experience of similar opportunities for their family or friends in the past?

Can it be possible to spot footballing potential in such a young lad? Will Alfie benefit from the extra coaching or should he simply enjoy a few years just playing with his local team and schoolmates?

I'll be interested in the the views of our readers.

Athletico Charlton

i have no kids so not really qualified but personally, if he enjoys it and is not put under pressure etc by the club (which I can't imagine he would be) then why not....if he is any good then to practice at Ipswich till he turns 13 or so and moves to Charlton seems a good thing!

Addickted4life

I had trial's with a number of pro clubs but never got in (Charlton included). I was 7 at the time at felt fine with it even though I obviously didn't have to go the distance in terms of travel and games played, I really enjoyed being on trail and made some friend's out of it that I still have now so I don't think it's a bad experience for him.   

SheffieldRed

Yes, I thinks it's possible to see some talent at that age. But, and its a big but, the likelihood of a child of that age being spotted and then making the pro game is v. low.

If he enjoys it, why not go. It should be no different to normal football, just with a different group of friends & better coaching.

I think the key thing here is the 3 hour commute, only his parents can say for sure, but this seems an awful lot for a small child.

AFKABartram

No, its not. But a 3hr round trip just to kick a ball around is.

I'd question how much this is the dad's fantasy, not the kids.

delroofer

Thanks for the comments. My daughter and son-in-law are going to keep a close eye on him and if he shows any signs of being affected by the travelling or the extra coaching he will be taken out of the group. As long as he enjoys it they will continue to support him. His dad is happy to be his driver, but Alfie has been selected by his local football coach who has connections with Ipswich Town. His dad is a Spurs supporter and like all dads would have a dream to see his son make the grade as a pro footballer, but he certainly wont push him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

Bexley Dan

You can see the talent at that age but it seems crazy to me - what he learns at that age from marginally better coaching won't mean much in the long run and if he's good enough he'll be spotted by others closer to home soon enough.Having said that, if it's only once a week and he and you enjoy it, why not.

Dave2l

Very serious at that age, perhaps too young, the age of 8 would be better and make a difference.

If he enjoys it then that's great, most kids dream to be doing that sort of thing and he gets a head start and great experience.

Bedsaddick

My son started at Cambridge United Acadamy at the age of 7 . As long as he enjoys it then there shouldn't be any problem . We left CU this year symply because there set up was so badly organised to the point that he was looking forward to going anymore . Hes 9 In March and I'm sure if he keeps playing as well as he is for his local side ( Biggleswade Town u9's ) he will get picked up again . Apparentlly there has been a Spurs scout watching him And another player a fortnight ago. It seems crazy at his age but the clubs really are cherry picking kids as young as 7 or 8.

northstandsteve

I was under the impression under academy rules you had to live within a hour of the club ?

Redrobo

The FA rule has recently been changed to say that travel should be 30 miles or 30 minutes. These numbers have been reducing over the years due to problems re education. Even though I am a Charlton supporter I would not agree to my son spending three nights a week plus Sundays at age 7. I was right. He was a great player then. He is a very good player now. Top 1%? Very unlikly. Actually - No. Let him play with his friends, find a good acadamy. The best in Kent by a long way is Reality Soccer - If you get Russ Searle in particular - has links with CAFC, you will get probably the best coach in Kent!

Don't know much about what is good in Ipswich but ask about and you will soon find out. Let him find his level as he grows.Make sure it is good for him and not your/sons lost dreams. Cream will rise to the top and you will have a better idea when he is 11.

MuttleyCAFC

Too young, at that age a club can't give a kid any more than a local team - probably a lot less. My son was with Spurs at 8 (now 10) but was a waste of time plus an awkward journey to boot. Clubs spot a talent, then it's a case of keeping them close - a bit like trawler fishing - they don't add anything to the party and all bar less than 1% get rejected at some stage. My son is now part of a development centre run jointly by Norwich City and University of Hertfordshire and the quality of coaching he gets is light years ahead of Spurs where he just played matches. He also attends Brazillian soccers schools which I think your son at 6 would benefit a lot more from, and is part of a local team and of course the school team which feels about right for him. I think we have got it right and if say Arsenal came in for him now, we would decline. About 14-15 is the right time for a kid to join an academy, in the meantime think about what is on offer and what can be brought to the party and don't get blinded by big club names. 

I have watched Cambridge United academy off shoot train on another pitch whilst my son does brazillian and it is pretty awful. The trick is to get all the skills perfected by about 13 - take him somewhere like Samba Soccer or Brazillain where they will develop the core skills but also make it fun. At 6, that is all he needs.

Terry Naylor

My Son Alfie (7 years old) trains with Arsenal and Chelsea also with other clubs interested in him!

But we have to keep down to a minimum as he trains Monday Thursday Saturday and plays Sundays and at 7 I don't want to burn him out!

Were lucky as we only have to take him to Long Lane on a Monday and the Merdian on a Thursday so traverling isn't a problem but a 3 hour car ride would drive my son nuts!

It was bad enough when we had to take Alfie to Arsenal's main acadamy based in Walthamstow! Blackwall tunnel was a nightmere!

Alfies loves football full stop and the expert training they get can only be a good thing.

He has just been asked to play for the main Arsenal acadamy in a torny at Brighton's Amax staidium in Decemember so he is very excited with that traverling down in a posh coach...lol

So I would say go for it let him enjoy it but maybe at a club that is nearer?

delroofer

Thanks to you all for your comments. I will pass them all to my daughter and son-in-law for consideration. They are both sensible and level-headed (my daughter owns and manages a very successful childrens nursery) and will only do what is best for Alfie.

Terry - thanks for your input. Good luck to your Alfie, and let's hope our boys go on to progress as far as they can, but to always play with a smile on their faces.

Interesting to read a report that Man Utd have just taken on a FIVE YEAR OLD that they spotted when he was THREE!

Terry Naylor

Cheers

I was told about that, it is unbeliveble at 5 years old!!

The thing with my Alfie he isn't one of these kids who can do 30 kick ups and loads of tricks! He has got a non stop engine who will cover every blade of grass and go in for 30/70 tackles he is fearless (Reminds me of a young Scott Parker!!)  and thats what the coaches and scouts see?

Where does your grandson live?

Granpa

Is he part of a group of 6 year olds ? If it were me I would prefer him at that age to be playing with his friends as he learns social skills. It may I admit be a very extreme comparison, but I felt so sorry for Michael Jackson that he could have anything he wanted but a proper childhood.

wickford

My 6 year old grandson Alfie has just been asked to train with Ipswich on Wednesday evenings.

We are all really proud and pleased for him, and he scored a hat-trick last night on his first appearance so he is really excited.

It is a 90 minute journey each way - and it is in the middle of a school week - but his parents are keen that he is not put under any stress or pressure to perform at such a young age. If he shows any signs of a negative reaction at home or at school from the extra training, they will have him taken out.

Have other lifers had experience of similar opportunities for their family or friends in the past?

Can it be possible to spot footballing potential in such a young lad? Will Alfie benefit from the extra coaching or should he simply enjoy a few years just playing with his local team and schoolmates?

I'll be interested in the the views of our readers.

Seems a bit harsh! Just stop taking him should be enough :-)

ken from bexley

Some very sensible advice on here, when I started a club 15 odd years ago we had some very talented lads, so my advice is a bit dated but in my opinion it is paramount that the  kids enjoy it, not do it for the parents.

I have just been dragged back into management at a local men's team, all made up of old friends from my lads school, and clubs, of which there are a few ex academy lads. We have had a hard time of it, getting back to fitness and having some discipline, but we are getting there. My point is that my lads met some decent, friends. We have certainly lost more than we have won, and it has come to a shock to a few of them, who have won cups and leagues in the past. If we can ever find a goalie we might even have a half decent team?. They have improved greatly, and last night played at Long lane with the first team in the Kent league. Football is a great game and despite the odd idiotic parent, I look back on junior football  as a  great time with the family. Good luck with the kids, and enjoy it.

Bexley Dan

Our friends 8 year old was doing the circuit like your boy TN for a few years - he had to choose at the beginning of this year who to sign for having been training with Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Charlton anda  few others. I advised him to go with Charlton but he signed for Chelsea so his dad has to drive him round to Cobham 3 times a week. A transfer fee will be involved if he moves. I think Charlton would have been the better choice - more chance of making it and less travelling but the parents and the boy were star struck. Who knows but i think he made the wrong choice.

PaulCAFC

As long as he enjoys it at that age, that's all that matters. Children are definately scouted far too young by clubs and the figures show that the majority of those who are scouted at a very early age, fall by the wayside and get bored with the game. There are, of course exceptions, but a high proportion of current pro footballers were not at academies until they were 12 or above. All clubs are looking for the embryo 'Beckhamesque' player that will earn them a fortune and thats all they really care about!

Chirpy Red

 IS 6 TOO YOUNG TO BE TRAINING WITH A PRO CLUB?


Undoubtedly YES!

delroofer

Thanks again for all the comments.

Terry, he lives in Harlow, which seems to be the source of a number of players for Ipswich and Charlton. As I stated above, his parents will moniter young Alfie and will let him decide what he wants to do. Bexley, at this stage we are not looking beyond the experience of good coaching. Signing forms, should it ever happen, is a long way off.

We are only too aware that some Dads are pushing the sons to follow their own unfulfilled dreams and that is not going to happen in our case.

Bexley Dan

Thanks again for all the comments.

Terry, he lives in Harlow, which seems to be the source of a number of players for Ipswich and Charlton. As I stated above, his parents will moniter young Alfie and will let him decide what he wants to do. Bexley, at this stage we are not looking beyond the experience of good coaching. Signing forms, should it ever happen, is a long way off.

We are only too aware that some Dads are pushing the sons to follow their own unfulfilled dreams and that is not going to happen in our case.

Harlow is half way there anyway when u take traffic into account - crack on and enjoy.

McLovin

Will it make him a better player: undobtedly he'll learn more from pro coaches than amateurs at school.  However he's liable to enjoy it less.  It may not be so easy to spot: he'll doubtlessly be aware that his dad is excited and proud about what he's doing so might put up with something he's not so keen on.

It might be worth approaching a more local club.  At least it might reduce the travel time.

MuttleyCAFC

A book I would reccomend to any parent whose child has a talent for football is Every Boy's Dream by Chris Green. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Every-Boys-Dream-Englands-Footballing/dp/1408112167

Might not tell you what you want to hear but will help you make the right decisions.

this article interesting too

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2009/sep/09/chelsea-fifa-premier-league-academies

delroofer

Thanks for the info Muttley.

The Guardian article is well worth a read, and I will get hold of the book for my daughter and son-in-law.

SE10

Personally, I would say give it a go. If there is problems with education or him not enjoying it then pull him out and give him a couple of years of local football with mates etc then see.

Addick Addict

My son is 8 is a good but not outstanding footballer, a decent little tennis player and very good cricketer for his age. The LTA talent scout wants him to train 5 to 6 times a week but that's not going to happen because he simply doesn't want that.

As well as tennis (trains once a week) he loves to play a football (plays on Sunday, trains twice a week and reguarly goes on CAFC courses) and cricket (trains once a week off season but more in the summer).

And if you ask him which one he prefers he will tell you "all of them" because he doesn't want to stop playing any of them. So, despite the fact that it means he will not progress at the rate of other tennis players of his age, he will continue to love that and the other sports for what they are. And if he does prove to be that good at any of them he can always specialise when he's 12 or 13.

So, if your child loves his football that much continue to support him. But the chances are that he may well be good at other sports too and as a number of the skills are transferable it might be worth thinking about spreading the talent shown by a young child over more than just the one sport.

delroofer

I suppose that if nothing else comes of it, he will always be able to say he was at least selected for specialist coaching. That's more than his dad or grandad ever did!

nth_london_addick

Keep them away from chelsea horrible fooking club at that level


Any other pro club but them , poxy tossers have ruined atleast 3 kids I know that recoverd and have gone on to join other academys

Reading watfrord and orient are really well run if your kids get the chance to go there then I would send them


Charltons is good also but I am trying to be objective

MuttleyCAFC

If you decide against the academy - look these up http://www.braziliansoccerschools.com/main.html , much more suitable for a 6 year old IMO.