how good were you as a kid?

Helix

not this good ill wager

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROAFEhnWVQM

posted on twitter by the guy who used to coach messi apparently, only 9 years old

its ridiculous

greendom

I'd hate to be on his team - he never passes

Mr.Crinklewood

I was great, but then i saw Wayne Rooney curse one Saturday afternoon, the next week i cursed after i scored a goal, the week after that i cursed some more, one thing led to another, i learnt new curse words and my career was doomed.

I now play for Sporting Fingal.

*** ****** ** ***** *** ***** *****

Nailz

Tenner says he'll have his legs broken by a really pissed off fat kid.

cardwizzard

He would start for Liverpool now;););)

Superbus

Get some growth hormones into that child, stat!

Ebbs

Groundhog day

Panthro

*cough* been there, started a thread on that....*cough*
:pac::pac:

When I was good, I was very very good, but when I was bad, I was horrid!


except I wasn't ever any good.

Tallaght Saint

I was ****e

TangyZizzle

I didnt play when I was a kid. I found a football when I was 15 and booted it against the wall for the day. I started to play matches with my mates from then on but never got any good, just loved runnin around and screamin at others.. fell away from that crowd and now if Im lucky I find a football on my wanderings and do a quick few little solos to impress the kids..

I would have loved to have been pushed to join a football team when I was a young lad. I was always too shy to do it myself. People that had encouraging parents when they were growing up dont know how good they have it

Jax Teller

Thought this was gonna be a fittle thread when I seen it .
Was shît myself

u140acro3xs7dm

He could have scored a load of goals there but decided to beat another player rather than shoot. He wouldnt get away with that on a cold night in Portumna.

TerryTibbs!

I scored from a corner once, then again in the same match.

I am pretty amazing.

Will_H

I played against Man United in the 80's when the local team went over to Manchester. Ok, so it was under 14, but I mustn't have been that good though as they never signed me!!!

ollie1

The goal he scores at 2:50 minutes :eek:

stovelid

Not good enough to end up being paid for playing. Which is all the only yardstick really. Everybody else is just differing degrees of not good enough.

partyndbs

beat home farm with dalkey united which i think would be the equivelent of san marino bearing brazil. we were south dublin 3rd division(for some reason) and they were in ddsl premier. the ddsl is 1 of the top leagues in europe for shoolboys so incredible achievement. chrissy fagan who went 2 united and now with bohs was on there team.

i was good but not good enough to be pro. mayb if i wanted i could have played loi but dunno.

cardwizzard

You think he's got an Irish granny?

Pepe LeFrits

I was a creative midfielder / number 10. I had everything that a player in that role could want except dribbling, vision, touch, passing, finishing, movement, pace, power and stamina.

Unfortunately, I couldn't head the ball.

TheDoc

Played at thie highest level schoolboy up till I was 18, severly damaged the ligmanents in my ankle and it led to constant injuries and hamstring/lower back trouble.

Went back this season to Senior football and got in a good pre season, then the final game before the season started did my hamstrings, both of them. Decided to pack it in for good.

Started off playing in goal before moving outfield after a few failed Irish trials and figured I wasnt going anywhere.

Was a holding midfielder with an eye for a pass. Never had any pace and it always seemed to stop me moving to the next level. Had a number of trials with LoI clubs and two English clubs but I was literally told I dont have the pace to play at the highets level, besides having stamina and strength and creativity.

Hence why I'm finding all the talk recently of how kids are developed in Ireland VERY interesting.

There was no emphasis on developing ball skills when I was growing up with football, it was all about getting as fast as you could be and as strong as you could be, winning tackles and the second ball.

In saying that we had a manager for a number of years who spent alot of time developing our ball skills and we used to stay behind after training for a number of hours playing five aside games.

We had pretty muc hthe same squad from under 8's all the way to under18's and were pretty succesful. Its mind boggling to see that not one of the guys is still playing football because I played alongside some of the best players at the level as we progressed, tbh I think it was just a massive indication of how the whole football world works here.

If your not part of a feeder club your going nowhere, depsite the fact we beat most of the "feeder" clubs regularly in the leagues and cups .

Best offer I got was a move to Leeds to join their youth acadamy when I was 16 on a 6 month trial to see how I would progress (after putting in a good shift against Home Farm) but after having a cousin who failed to break into the liverpool first team in the 90's he gave me some straight shooting no bull**** advice on how the footballing world works in England. A fathers friend was also the head of Schoolboy football at Home Farm and had a chat with me too. Decided to decline and focus on getting a good Leaving cert and a good college degree. No doubt regularly consider what might have been but I know enough guys who went and came back unsuccesful and with really no qualifications and are struggling big time in the last few years.

partyndbs

defo man i wudda refused to go england no doubt about it. life sounds so boring from when u go out there. i wanna go drinkin on a friday nite not be stuck in some bland academy.

upandcumming

I wasn't great, a million times better now, but one things for certain, that kid would be dead if I got near him!

Johnny Utah

partyndbs wrote: »

defo man i wudda refused to go england no doubt about it. life sounds so boring from when u go out there. i wanna go drinkin on a friday nite not be stuck in some bland academy.

Totally agree buddy. Tbh, I was pretty good at football when I was young. Had a bit of interest from Arsenal and United, amongst others, but decided to stay in Ireland in the longterm.

Helix

Helix wrote: »

not this good ill wager

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROAFEhnWVQM

posted on twitter by the guy who used to coach messi apparently, only 9 years old

its ridiculous

Think he was only 6 when that was filmed. Was just thinking if Wenger signs him now he'll get a run out in the Carling cup next season

Frisbee

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Totally agree buddy. Tbh, I was pretty good at football when I was young. Had a bit of interest from Arsenal and United, amongst others, but decided to stay in Ireland in the longterm.

Gave it up for the gargle. A damn shame.

Johnny Utah

Frisbee wrote: »

Gave it up for the gargle. A damn shame.

That aimed at me?

Frisbee

Johnny Utah wrote: »

That aimed at me?

Yeah it was supposed to be a joke

partyndbs

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Totally agree buddy. Tbh, I was pretty good at football when I was young. Had a bit of interest from Arsenal and United, amongst others, but decided to stay in Ireland in the longterm.

yeahhhh i can like mayb see the attraction goin to arsenal yeah coz its london and its a big club but i couldnt actuali get excited about going over to play for some1 like nottm forest at 15/16. talk about depressing. suppose the pays prob decent but yeah i think your expected to act in such a way when u go to those academys. its like joes(here on southside) they take themselves so seriously, i refused to join them everytime i was asked.

Johnny Utah

partyndbs wrote: »

yeahhhh i can like mayb see the attraction goin to arsenal yeah coz its london and its a big club but i couldnt actuali get excited about going over to play for some1 like nottm forest at 15/16. talk about depressing. suppose the pays prob decent but yeah i think your expected to act in such a way when u go to those academys. its like joes(here on southside) they take themselves so seriously, i refused to join them everytime i was asked.

partyndbs

ha basiclly i think u made right choice

Pepe LeFrits

You know, one of my PE teachers once said I had the physical presence of Peter Schmeichel and the technical ability of Paul Scholes.

Or was it the other way around...

manic mailman

I once scored a goal on the volley from the half way line....mind you it was a 7-a side pitch and the keeper was dreadful......still though

Johnny Utah

partyndbs wrote: »

ha basiclly i think u made right choice

Okay, thanks buddy, totally agree. Just got a bit confused by your earlier post, it was like trying to decipher the enigma code!

partyndbs

manic mailman wrote: »

I once scored a goal on the volley from the half way line....mind you it was a 7-a side pitch and the keeper was dreadful......still though

once scored a goal doin keepy uppys the length of the pitch, mainly using my knee which i can do running at pace the other team were an absolute joke tho

CSF

partyndbs wrote: »

once scored a goal doin keepy uppys the length of the pitch, mainly using my knee which i can do running at pace the other team were an absolute joke tho

I once scored a goal from an airplane.

starviewadams

Was a useful right back/right winger up until I tore ligaments in my ankle and knee in a schoolboy match when I was 15/16,knee has never felt right playing football since,even 5 a sides and the like.

TheDoc

partyndbs wrote: »

yeahhhh i can like mayb see the attraction goin to arsenal yeah coz its london and its a big club but i couldnt actuali get excited about going over to play for some1 like nottm forest at 15/16. talk about depressing. suppose the pays prob decent but yeah i think your expected to act in such a way when u go to those academys. its like joes(here on southside) they take themselves so seriously, i refused to join them everytime i was asked.

That deifnitly wasnt my reasoning, like I'm not earning millions having the life of Reilly, I'd given anything to play proffesional football.

But I'd alot of genuine people around me who had been there and done it, some of them had a career in England, some of them didnt so I got both sides.

They were genuine enough to tell me that I'd have major problems getting any sort of regular football in the top two tiers of English football so made a rather mature choice for a 16 year old.

The other three lads who got the offer with me, interesting to see where they went.

Two went to Manchester United from the Leeds acadmeny, one sent home after missing training after a night of pills, the other didnt turn up to the acadamy for two days as he was on a drug binge.

The other guy I was with was released from the Leeds Acadamy and ws playing someone in the lower leagues, came to LoI football then said it wasnt worth the effort and put himself through college and is doing ok for himself.

Paully D

[QUOTE=TheDoc;71539626
Was a holding midfielder with an eye for a pass. Never had any pace and it always seemed to stop me moving to the next level. Had a number of trials with LoI clubs and two English clubs but I was literally told I dont have the pace to play at the highets level, besides having stamina and strength and creativity.

Hence why I'm finding all the talk recently of how kids are developed in Ireland VERY interesting.

There was no emphasis on developing ball skills when I was growing up with football, it was all about getting as fast as you could be and as strong as you could be, winning tackles and the second ball.
[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately it's the same now as it was before. Have a read of this:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough/8266880.Monday_Spotlight__The_most_famous_English_coach_you___ve_never_heard_of/

The poor youth structure is one of the main reasons the English flop at major tournaments IMO.

the untitled user

I played at a pretty high level for schoolboys, including an all Ireland schools final once, but at the same time I was always the utility man on the team and never guaranteed a game (was a very good tackler but ordinary at everything else). Did my left knee in at 14 and haven't played a competitive game since age 16 (having done the knee another two times).

Now 23, been working on fitness though past year, hoping to find a team come August.

Blatter

TerryTibbs! wrote: »

I scored from a corner once, then again in the same match.

I am pretty amazing.

It's a pity the same can't be said for the quality of your posts.

eZe^

TheDoc wrote: »

.....

Excellent post mate, seems like you've come through the highest level of youth possible, did you ever come across real raw talent? Say a kid who didn't play football until he was 16, and by 17 he was excellent? Or would the athleticism required be too difficult to learn in a year even for a 'natural'.

Also, a question I always ask people my mates who were top drawer players, did you sh*t yourself when in possession of the ball like the rest of us? I'm not on about in 5 a side matches with your mates, but say proper competitive games, when you passed the ball did your mind start racing or were you cool, calm and collected?

That seems to be THE difference between the good and the truly excellent. Most footballers if they feel at ease have a lovely touch and confidence about their play, it's the ones that can translate that mentality to competitive matches that seem to make it. (well, in my opinion of course)

partyndbs

yeah ur rite u just got 2 go out and not care. thats why i was only good in places where there was no pressure and why i never joined a premier ddsl team.

Johner

St Pats from U-14 until U-18. Gave it up after that, was cursed with injuries.

ricero

I suffered with nerves when I was young and only properly joined a team at the age of 13 so went straight into 11 a side. I was a very good player but the team I was with cabinteely a small enuf south Dublin side(although their getting bigger then their rival club joeys these days) in a terrible leGue the ebs south Dublin. Anyway I went from strength to strength and became captain. Got promoted 2nd seAson then won the league but the team was getting to good for the ebs so went ddsl and captained my side to the a league in the carisle grounds in a play off against joeys. Was offered to go to a few premeir ddsl sides the next season but decided not to. Anyway played in the major but the drink destroyed us and we folded. I was a centre half and I like to think of myself as a jamie carragher/thuram type player

Dub13

I was a contender,I could have made it.Robbed by BAD LUCK, Guinness & Chocolate Kimberley.

Johner

ricero wrote: »

I suffered with nerves when I was young and only properly joined a team at the age of 13 so went straight into 11 a side. I was a very good player but the team I was with cabinteely a small enuf south Dublin side(although their getting bigger then their rival club joeys these days) in a terrible leGue the ebs south Dublin. Anyway I went from strength to strength and became captain. Got promoted 2nd seAson then won the league but the team was getting to good for the ebs so went ddsl and captained my side to the a league in the carisle grounds in a play off against joeys. Was offered to go to a few premeir ddsl sides the next season but decided not to. Anyway played in the major but the drink destroyed us and we folded. I was a centre half and I like to think of myself as a jamie carragher/thuram type player

From aged 8 until 13 I played for Peamount, dreaded the game in Cabinteely it was ages away.

partyndbs

ricero wrote: »

I suffered with nerves when I was young and only properly joined a team at the age of 13 so went straight into 11 a side. I was a very good player but the team I was with cabinteely a small enuf south Dublin side(although their getting bigger then their rival club joeys these days) in a terrible leGue the ebs south Dublin. Anyway I went from strength to strength and became captain. Got promoted 2nd seAson then won the league but the team was getting to good for the ebs so went ddsl and captained my side to the a league in the carisle grounds in a play off against joeys. Was offered to go to a few premeir ddsl sides the next season but decided not to. Anyway played in the major but the drink destroyed us and we folded. I was a centre half and I like to think of myself as a jamie carragher/thuram type player

loved the dalkey vs cabo vs joes vs ballybrack rivalry. i played with cabo for a bit but went back to dalkey, first game of season at under 13 was against cabo, the team i just left and i scored...sweeeeeet moment. obvs the main rivalry is cabo vs joes.

ricero

partyndbs wrote: »

loved the dalkey vs cabo vs joes vs ballybrack rivalry. i played with cabo for a bit but went back to dalkey, first game of season at under 13 was against cabo, the team i just left and i scored...sweeeeeet moment. obvs the main rivalry is cabo vs joes.

Yea played dalkey once or twice and was a big game for some of the lads on my team. It's mad ballybrack fc is a stone throw away but it's not a big rivarly joeys is number one

partyndbs

prob becoz bbrack regularly didnt have teams at different age grouups and in the area cabo are next strongest to joes but always lose players to them

ricero

partyndbs wrote: »

prob becoz bbrack regularly didnt have teams at different age grouups and in the area cabo are next strongest to joes but always lose players to them

Yea they were a feeder club for years but it's starting to turn now due to the excellent coaching going into the underage teams in cabinteely and also due to joeys now becoming a feeder club to the likes of home farm and crumlin. Also the facilitys being built in the cabinteely area are fantastic especially the new astro turf

Xavi6

I was horrendous as a kid. Dragged off at half time in my first game and scored an OG in my second cause I was afraid to head to ball and it just hit my shoulder and went in. There were tears.

Then at about 15 something clicked and I got a lot better over a period of about 9 to 12 months. Pretty decent player at a good level now but currently recovering from a knee reconstruction.