Notes from a Scout…
I had the pleasure of interviewing David Fairbrother, one of the Birmingham City scouts on this blog a couple of months ago. He was very helpful and gave an interesting and informative interview. You can read the interview by clicking here.
David also previously wrote an article for me about what scouts look for in a player. This article can be found by clicking here.
A couple of days ago, I received this article from David about how a player should cope with not being offered a playing contract.
As a scout I have been asked about players that I have spotted for their potential who go on to various club’s academies but are not offered a contract.
It is very important for the players themselves to KEEP BELIEVING IN THEIR ABILITY and have that mental attitude to GO AGAIN.
Reason 1: The club may be very strong in the player’s favoured position. Many clubs will spot that the player could maybe play in other positions and try the player there. That MAY be something the player is not comfortable with. Good scouts/clubs will recommend the player to their other contacts in the game and try their luck elsewhere.
Reason 2: Remember that the players recommended are competing with others that may have been in the Academy for six or seven years already. The player will have to show that they are at least as good as or better than those Academy players or show the potential that they may be in time.
Clubs or Scouts will most certainly identify that and sign the player if they feel he may achieve that goal.
Reason 3: It may be a case of the player may not be what the club is looking for at that particular moment in time. Of course, time changes and moves on, so good scouts / clubs will have a database on the player and have a look again.
Players must realise that it doesn’t mean that they are a bad player – far from it! They have been chosen for the trial and that is a massive compliment.
I personally try my best to help the player as much as possible. I know that most scouts do the same.
It is important to remember that the football world is full of stories of players that have been told that they won’t be signed, gone elsewhere to prove the doubters wrong.
As a player, you must remember that all scouts will spot the potential in a good player. It is a huge compliment to that player that he has been given the opportunity.
Believe in yourselves. Have that mental attitude to go again and keep doing your best.
There’s a saying “Shoot for the moon. You may not get there but you will land among the stars!”
Dave Fairbrother
Birmingham City FC
Northants Area FA Area Scout
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