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After spending the early months of summer travelling through a few of Europe’s beautiful cities, I was left with little money and unemployment. On my travels through 5 countries I found some young football wannabes trying to make it in the footballing world. I got talking to a few of them and I told them I would see what I could do. Obviously there was little I could do as I wasn’t exactly Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger. I couldn’t just give them a club or snap them up myself, although I could do with a few cleaners round my place. Hell, I wasn’t even a manager of a club so I don’t know what I was thinking.
I got a phone call about a week after I came back from my trip. It was the chief scout at Sheffield United calling. I had seen him at the Speedway track at Owlerton Stadium a couple of times and told him I wanted to get into football some how. I wanted a proper job and not be the guy who cleans the players boots, or collects the balls. I wanted a job on the inside, maybe a coach, scout. I couldn’t become a physio because I would have to go through college or university to get all them qualifications and frankly I couldn’t be bothered. I got talking to George Harrison and asked him to get me a job. A long shot I know but thought I might aswel throw it into the conversation. He said he’ll see what he can do.
A few days later and George rang me again and told me to get my stuff together and get to Bramall Lane. They had a new position open. They needed a new scout and George put my name forward. Told them I had great eyes for potential players and could grab us some of the best youngsters around. Two problems, 1. I had no idea how to find a great player. I wouldn’t know how to find one even if he came up to me and said ’Hi, I’m a great player’ and 2. I thought to myself, Even if I find the so called great players, how could I attract them to Sheffield United. I mean it isn’t the greatest club. Money wasn’t great but they told me that we will make funds available if I find the right player.
My first job and I was already being shipped out to some unknown country. They didn’t tell me where I was going and still didn’t when I got to the airport. I only found out when they gave me my ticket and pointed to the checkout desk. Liechtenstein. That’s where I was heading first. For some unknown reason this club thought I could find some players there, who were they trying to kid. I checked in the wallet they gave me if there was anything else. Another 5 Plane tickets. Where were they planning on sending me? Or was this some kind of initiation that all new staff get?
The other 5 plane tickets I had were to other small countries.. Maybe they wanted the views on the nightlife or the women there. San Marino, Estonia, Luxembourg, Hungary and Cyprus. That’s the other places these ‘players’ were meant to be.
I was met at Check-in by a guy named Kristof Dubski. He escorted me to the departure lounge and wished me farewell. And so I was off on my ‘scouting’ mission.
The Flight took around 5 hours to get me to Liechtenstein. It was around late afternoon when I got here. I got a taxi to the hotel where I was staying and dumped suitcase in my room. I got a few things together and got on my scouting mission.
While I waited at the bus stop to take me to the city centre, I heard a few people talking about some youngsters who were trying to get some scouts to notice them. From what I could here they had some talent but could do with some decent training facilities to help their progress. And from the look of this place they really need it.
Scout Report
1st June
Get to the training ground of the Liechtenstein u21s and have a chat with their coach. He passes on a few names of some up and coming stars. Hopefully they will be real people and not part of the ’initiation’ that Sheffield United are making me do.
Tomorrow I will go in search of my first player: Alan Ward.
2nd June
There was a reported sighting of Mr Ward at the local park playing on the swings with his mates. Hopefully he will still be there or at least playing some form of football. I managed to hide in a near by tree while he and his 4 mates had a kick about in the park.
Brief Player Profile: Alan Ward
18 year old GK, looks quite promising. Got a good pair of hands on him, seems to handle the ball very well. Good reflexes and is very agile. Seems to concentrate well. One thing to be improved is his aerial ability.
Would do well in our reserves for a few season.
3rd June
Next player on my list goes by the name of Lufbra Bantam. Happens to play for a team round here or so I heard. Will have to check him out soon.
Brief Player Profile: Lufbra Bantam
19 year old central defender. Plays for his local side and gets a game every now and again. Seems very determined to do well. Great header of the ball and is strong aswel as agile. Could be one to look out for. Could do with improving his positioning but with his work rate he shouldn’t have much problem in that area for long.
3rd June
Another long day scouting today as I go to my next target. Cheesy Pants. Seems from the gossip I overheard in the bathroom, is that Pants plays for Bantam’s local rivals.
Brief Player Profile: Cheesy Pants
17 year old striker. Seems pretty decent for his age. Could have been a sprinter from what I’ve heard, very pacey and has good acceleration. A team player by looks of it but occasionally is greedy. Great at finishing his shots as he scored several goes in his training matches.
3rd June
One final player that I had to look at. Seems to be held in high regard with the Liechtenstein FA. Already captains the his local side and looks set to achieve big things.
Brief Player Profile: Scott Rankin
18 year old central midfielder. Another pacey player in the Liechtenstein youth setup. Very strong agile. Seems to get stuck in. good header of the ball but lacks the ability to jump well, could hinder his progress. Very good at marking for a midfielder and has a great engine. A young, determined midfielder who is also good off the ball. Definitely one to watch.
Well I guess that is all the great prospects that Liechtenstein has for now. Will have to keep my eye out on them and I reckon they should all get snapped up sooner or later.
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