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I thought when I was a young kid I might have a chance at being a footballer one day
never really got there and kind of thought that this would be one last chance.
I've always wondered if i had the ability.
People who had probably thought that their chance had gone, it gives them a chance of a bit more glory doesn't it.
Footballs a cut-throat business, you're golden boy one minute and you're out the door the next.
There's still hope for these guys, they've just got to believe in themselves and really
go out and have a go like it really is your last chance.
Trying to get that chance I never got, and maybe get to play on a big stage.
If theres a golden chance, or last chance, you've got to take it and grab it with both hands.
Some of the players that I've played with, I know i was better than them, they've made it.
This is where the coaches and I will find out whos really good enough, the prize at
stake; let me tell you - is absolutely fantastic.
I'm here to prove to my old coaches that didn't rate me, I have what it takes to go through.
Theres a lot of pressure when you're younger, but at this age, you can relax a bit - you've
been there and done it at a decent level. Still got a loving passion for the game so...
you've got to find something to replace that buzz.
20 years ago i'd say, it's now or never id say...
Every year, millions of fans experience the magic of the FA cup, and for some the dream
of playing at Wembley is the ultimate fantasy. For every Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney,
there are legions of players participating in amateur leagues across the country that
once had dreams of making it in the professional game, but never quite made it.
When I was about 16 years old I went to Newcastle United, I was there for about 2 years.
I played for Aston Villa from 8 to 16.
I had trials for England under 18s I missed that by one place and I'm just glad that I had the opportunity today.
In 2014 Budweiser decided to give these players a second chance to fulfil their dreams by
staging 6 open trials across the nation to find out if they still have what it takes,
the prize and opportunity to play in front of professional talent scouts. One last chance
to prove to themselves in a nailbiting football match on the hallowed turf itself. Wembley.
I joined the forces, did two tours of Afghan, and played for the RAF.
I played at York City up until youth team under 16's and got kicked out.
I keep myself a bit fit, but I'd like to see if I can see how I'll do against some of these younger lads.
Maybe should have retired three or four years ago, but too immature to retire and do something
sensible with my life.
Through a process of elimination, the best players from the regional trials will go through
to the final national trials at St Georges park where they'll be whittled down to just
32 and get the chance to play in front of professional scouts at Wembley.
My little girl, shes only 9 - shes got to have a heart transplant so.. I'm gonna try and prove to her that I can do it.
It's a second chance, you know it's a chance to make a dream come true. Obviously ultimately to play at Wembley .
The trials at each venue are officiated by top football association coaches who have
a clear idea of the level they expect to see.
Today we start with the fitness testing, agility testing, shooting, passing.
We need them to be physically fit, as far speed, co-ordination, strength and power.
But we need them to be good decison makers. To add pressure, the coaches are assisted
by a selection of FA cup legends who have all experience the thrill of playing in the
worlds oldest cup competition.
Special memories from when scoring against Tottenham, one of our rivals when I was playing
for Chelsea to stepping out in the final against Arsenal.
I've been very lucky to play at some great stadiums and Wembley's right up there with the best of them.
I was fortunate enough to play three FA cup finals, and my average wasn't too bad. I won
two out of three.
It'll be the coaches and FA cup legends who have the final say over who goes through and
who goes home.
You want to shine, you got to give a reason why the coaches want to pick you.
You can notice in the warm up, how they turn, how they twist - you can normally tell very early.
Go! come on Ellis! Come on Steve! Power! Power! Brilliant! All the way through! Well done!
The trial is out of a series of exercises devised by Newcastle assistant manager John
Carver, to test the key skills required to play at a professional level.
Sprinting. Agility. Dribbling. Passing. And shooting.
All the way! Come on Miguel, all the way through!
For many of these players the chance to rekindle their childhood dream was something they could
not turn down.
I used to be at Nottingham Forest academy when I was a kid, got released there, didnt
play for a while and then I went out to America on a four year scholarship.
Played for the Sporting Lisbon academy, went to Amsterdam to join the Ajax academy and
now I'm here to see where I am.
For others who have never gone beyond the Sunday leagues, this is a chance to see just
how good they really are.
I've never had any trials, to be honest I've always just played for my local team I've never left my mates!
My name is Charlie Snares and my number is 66! Confident? Sort of! Good.. 3.2.1 Go!
For Essex lad Charlie, this is his first ever trial and wife Lucy is on hand for morale support.
The morning trials were a tough first test for the hopefuls and for some, it came with
added complications.
I've got a pace maker fitted. So it's just like sending out a message to everybody, if
you've got some kind of illness related; keep with it.
For some the experience of the trials will be enough, but for others theres still something
left to prove.
Kenny Dalglish gave us a two and a half year pro contract, I was playing in the reserves,
playing with the likes of Philip Albert, and David Batty and people like that, and Gullit
came in and just said, its time to go, you know what I mean?
Agbonlahor played a year below me, but he was always talked about so I had the opportunity
to go to other clubs when I was released, and i regret it now - 10 years later. But
when an opportunity came like this, i thought, maybe this is your chance that you didnt take.
I'm a full time football coach, I have a football academy in west london and we train over a
thousand children every week.
I started off at Wolves, probably till I was about 15 from the age of 10. Had a few trials
and wasnt successful in those trials still playing now for Daventry, still got a lot
of passion for the game, but as I say, playing at wembley is every kids dream, so... thought
I'd give it a go.
As the first sessions drew to a close, it was starting to become apparant that the day
had already taken its toll on some of the players, but it would soon be the final part
of the day and the trialists would get the chance to showcase their skills in a match
situation.
I've seen plenty of good training ground players, but when it really matters is when you get
the ball at your feet and you've got to get your head up when you see a pass.
The big test is when you're playing the game, when you've got other people pushing you around.
When you've got other people bullying you, when you've got other people kicking you.
Thats where its important.
Did you enjoy it all?
I love it to be fair, it's great.
Feel tired? Are you ready to go again?
No, I'm ready. Ready to play some football now.
Brilliant, congratulations. Well done.
Maybe there's a little bit of pressure on them, because they want to get to St Georges Park.
But that's what its all about as well, handling pressure and coming to the fore.
Right back, Adam Fisher hopes he'll be able to handle the pressure, but he'll also need
to get over his rejection by York City.
Just a bitter grudge against York City, and a few of us should have got picked but just
picking big lads, but they usually do, lower league clubs. Straight in, a few of us were
just like..
For Billy Texeira today was all about seizing the moment and just maybe taking the first
steps in what was a seemingly impossible dream. Basically I work as a fork lift driver now,
but I'm 27 so i don't think i'm going to end up playing for Man United any time soon.
The games kicked off around the country, and it wouldnt take long for the coaches and ex
professionals to notice the talent on show.
I've not been here too long, but immediately you notice one or two players. The 34 there,
you can see players who create time for themselves. It's just that little bit extra that you need.
25 year old Adam Randall had certainly caught the eye of Peter Shilton and this initiative
was a great opportunity for the young midfielder who'd once been within touching distance
of the pro game.
Played sort of district county level as a young lad and was at Kettering town while
Paul Gascoigne was manager there so that was a bit of an experience. Unfortunately I broke
my leg and never really had the same interests as when I was a young lad really.
You've got to be organised, you're a center half. Organise that part of the field!
Well done. Well done.
With the matches coming to an end, the players had done everything they could to impress
and while the coaches exchange notes the players could do nothing but wait and hope.
I've enjoyed the day the test was great. You normally did this stuff when you was 16 to
18 didn't ya?
You don't get time to shine but you just have to do what you do. Don't try and do too much!
It's a bit difficult, just going into a game with a group of people that you dont really
know and playing football.
From your point of view, did anyone catch your eye? Did anyone catch your eye this morning?
When someone else is making the decison, you never really know really, so all you can really
do is hope for the best
There was Ryan Hall and Craig Flowers,both really impressed me.
We spoke about 102 didn't we? What I like about him is that he's direct.
36? If im honest, he was awful from mine.
The wait was over, the opportunity would mean so much for all of them, and it was now time
to find out who had made it through to the national finals at St Georges Park.
I think I've done enough - I've put 100% effort in today - honestly im confident im going
to go through. I know it sounds a bit big headed but fair enough.
The numbers up for addressing. Are number 6. Well done mate, well done.
The first person I've picked out, number 34. Number 82. Number 30.
Pure joy for the lucky few chosen to go through to St Georges Park, for the rest - heartbreak.
I'm gutted! I'm annoyed!
They choose it don't they? I would have chose myself!
I guess the thing that was a bit more shocking was the fact that Graeme Le Saux came to me
and said that he'd thought that I'd be in - but I wasn't so...yeah.
For those who have made it, their focus turned immediately to the next stage and being one step
closer to their dream.
Cant believe it! It would be a good day out. I think its a March isnt it? So better facilities.
I think obviously the standard at St Georges Park will be a lot higher, so yeah see how
we go from there.
To train on the pitch the England players play on?
It's little things like that, that make you just think.. wow.
Absolutely buzzing, achieved what I came to do. Everything after this is just a bonus.
Should have done it when I was about 12! Just really happy..
I didnt think it'll happen, to be fair. But my little girl will have a little smile on
her face when I get home.