Guest Ed Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 A little early to say if our center back for 2010 woes are over. Kudos to Graham Kennedy and Foothills for giving this youngster a nice opportunity in England. From today's Calgary Sun: Teen makes his pitch Local soccer player gets tryout with Birmingham City U-18s By RANDY SPORTAK, CALGARY SUN It's the chance of a lifetime, even for a teenager. Justin Farenik may only be 17 but tonight he'll whisk off to England for a tryout with the Birmingham City under-18 soccer squad. "I've been hoping for this all my life," he said yesterday. "I've been working at it for so long." A Grade 12 student at Dr. E. P. Scarlett high school, Farenik first came close to getting his big break a year ago. While in Wales for a tournament with the Foothills Irish U-18 squad, he was scouted for a tryout with Blackburn Rovers but it didn't come to pass. West Bromwich -- also in the Premiership -- was interested earlier this year in bringing him across the pond but that, too, fell through. Finally, the call came for this opportunity and it panned out. "My coach, Graham Kennedy, is good friends with the coach at Birmingham City. They met a couple of years ago," said the 6-ft. 2-in. Farenik. "They phoned him looking for a centre-back and he told them, I guess, I was worthy to go over. I couldn't believe. I was pretty excited. "They have an open spot and there's three others going for a defensive spot, I don't know if it's to play centre-back," he said. "There's a guy from France, a guy from Wales and an American. I think my chances are quite good, though. They like players who are tough and hard-nosed and that's the way I play." The plan is to be there for 14 days but it could be more. "My return flight is an open ticket, so they can change it to whenever. That way, they can extend it," he said. Which means maybe even extended until the end of the season. "Yeah, that'd be nice," he said. First things first. He still has to earn a spot. He's already been given something of a game plan. "The coach, I guess, wants me to make sure I'm confident and get in there to lead the team, not hold back because I'm a new guy," Farenik said. "He likes players who can head the ball really well. That's what I do best. "It'll be tough but I've been under a lot of pressure before when I play soccer and it usually makes me play better. I usually play better when it's a big game or when it means a lot." Knowing how Owen Hargreaves has earned a spot with Bayern Munich and Kevin McKenna is a standout at Hearts in the Scottish Premier League gives Farenik a bit of hope he'll be the next Calgarian to play against the best in the world. "That's what I want to do, of course, but I'll have to earn my spot," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 We have no idea how these youngsters will turn out, especially if they're "only" getting some trials. Players start establishing themselves when they get regular playing time on a decent team (any team) or serious results with youth national teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 Hello people. Anyone can get a tryout. Especially if you are young. It costs clubs nothing to watch you train with them. ***See the Jamie Peters scenerio, lot's of trials, not a lot of contract. We should take notice not when they get a tryout, and not when they are allegedly offered a contract, but when they are fully signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hottoddy7 Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 Calm down guys. sure we don't know if this kid is a player or not but this is how you find out. It is good to hear that young canadians can get trials overseas. If it does work out he will no doubt be a much better player for it. And why is everyone so hard on Jaime Peters? He's 17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massimo Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 Either way, sending this kid negative vibes isn't good. Hope for the best, and who knows we may have our next Jason DeVos!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massimo Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 quote:Originally posted by RJB Hello people. Anyone can get a tryout. Especially if you are young. It costs clubs nothing to watch you train with them. In that case, when was yours and with which club??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 quote:Originally posted by RJB ***See the Jamie Peters scenerio, lot's of trials, not a lot of contract. Well according to the various repoorts we've received, Peters has been offered a contract with Man U, Chelsea, Ipswich, Derby County and Millwall, and the only reason he hasn't signed yet is because of visa problems which would prohibit him from playing until he's 18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timotas Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 quote:Originally posted by RJB Hello people. Anyone can get a tryout. Especially if you are young. It costs clubs nothing to watch you train with them. ***See the Jamie Peters scenerio, lot's of trials, not a lot of contract. We should take notice not when they get a tryout, and not when they are allegedly offered a contract, but when they are fully signed. You're exactly right. Hey, even when I was 16 I was in England training, now look at me... I'm posting on the V-Board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 quote:Originally posted by massimo In that case, when was yours and with which club??? Mine was Staines United. Back in the day. Before the troubles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by massimo In that case, when was yours and with which club??? Obviously you're missing the point. We need to focus on the players that are signed and recieving the coaching they need on a daily basi to get better. We can speculate all we want about deals, but the bottom line is, this young man is still unsigned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone Mine was Staines United. Back in the day. Before the troubles. Ali G is from Staines! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 "What does one have to do to join the FB-AIIIIIIIIIIIIIII?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.