Q. This event is definitely happening, yes?
A. Yes, you can checkout its authenticity with Boreham Wood Football Club and our friends and project partners UK Football Finder.
Q. Can any player apply for a trial place?
A. They can, providing that they are aged between 16 and 25 years of age, and are physically fit and able to play at Professional or Semi-Pro level.
Q. I’m under/over the age range you’ve specified – can you make an exception for me?
A. Regrettably we cannot, as we would have to make exceptions for everybody. The trials are solely focused around the specified age group. If you are 26 or older, we might be able to give you details of clubs that are holding open training sessions, and if you are aged under 16 we cannot legally allow you to take part due to the FA laws on adults and children changing and showering together. if we do not enforce this law, which is on the statute, we risk prosecution -so therefore no player under 16 years of age (even if he is the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi) will be allowed to participate. However, we will only be too happy to pass on details of academies and clubs looking for players aged under 16 of age.
Q. What do I need to bring along to the trials?
A. You will need to bring your own kit plus boots (blades are okay) and shin-pads and gloves if you are a goalkeeper. For the match, 22 players (11 in each half) will be allocated a bib to play in, therefore the match will be ‘bibs v non-bibs’.
Q. Can I drive to the trial locations or are players meeting at a meeting point?
A. If you drive then yes you can drive to the trial venue as car-parking will be provided at all venues (note that at some venues there may be limited spaces).
Q. I don’t drive, so will be relying on public transport. Can you meet me at a nearby bus or railway station for trials?
A. Yes, we will be running shuttles to and from the trial venues on the day. Meeting times and drop-off times will be announced in due course.
Q. Why are no trials being held away from the London area?
A. We would like to have staged more trials outside of the London area, but due to the make-up of regional leagues for 2013-14 it is easier for us to arrange to use the facilities of clubs mentioned as as these clubs have more free dates available. The further north we go, the less opportunities there are to host trial days at clubs where chances to use facilities are slim to non-existent.
Q. I am interested, so how do I apply?
A. Use the form on the ‘Contact Me’ page, or alternatively drop me an E-Mail/Text/Voice Message.
Q. If I am not successful, will you help me to find a club?
A. Yes, we will. Our coaches will talk with clubs that they believe would benefit from your services and will then arrange for you to speak with their coaching staff.
Q. What are you looking for from a player?
A. The right attitude – determination, commitment, integrity and to do their very best.
Q. I have friends who are interested – can they come along?
A. We will do our best to accommodate them, depending on spaces available and playing positions available. We will need to know more about them first though, so the sooner we have an idea of the level they can play at the better. There are ONLY 176 spaces available, though, and once they are gone they are gone.
Q. If I am not chosen, will you put me on stand-by in case a player drops out?
A. A number of players will be put on stand-by, but we cannot guarantee who these players will be.
Q. If I am not chosen, can I still come along to support the other trialists at Bisham Abbey and at Boreham Wood Football Club?
A. Yes, we’d be more than happy for you to lend your support.
Q. Would I need to take a day off, if I make the final 44 player list?
A. Yes, this would be advisable, due to a pre-game meeting and training session at London Maccabi Tigers Football Club on the day of the game. A schedule of events will be sent out to the final 44 players after the friendly games at Bisham Abbey.
Q. Which League & Non-League sides will be coming along?
A. We will let you know in due course of all the clubs who will be sending coaches and scouts to this game.
Q. Will the BBC be filming at the Boreham Wood game?
A. As yet, we don’t know if they have any plans to.
Q. Would I be guaranteed a place at a Professional or Semi Pro club if I make it to the last 44?
A. Hopefully you would, but we cannot guarantee 100% that a club definitely will take you on. As ever, that is in the lap of the gods, but the better you play the greater the chance of success.
Q. Would Boreham Wood want me to train/trial with them?
A. That depends on their interest in you, A good performance in the Pudsey Challenge Cup would certainly improve your chances of this happening however.
Q. Do the players have to travel to Boreham Wood for this game, or will you be running a bus from London?
A. We are considering running a bus from London, but we also know that players families and friends will want to see them play in this game. Therefore, if their families or friends wish to drive to Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park ground then they can do that instead.
Q. How many people can I bring with me, if I am chosen to play in the Boreham Wood game?
A. As many as you want – the more people at the ground, the better it will be for the event as a whole.
Q. Can I take part in this if I am from outside the UK?
A. So long as you have a valid UK/EU passport, and therefore the right to travel and stay in the UK, you will be accepted although you would need to sort out travel arrangements and accommodation beforehand. Any players from outside the EU will not be accepted, due to both tighter immigration laws being imposed by HM Government and that clubs may not be able to get you a valid working VISA.
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