Has any kiwi kid, apart from Chris Wood gone to the UK and EVER made a go of it? ( I mean get signed and play regular first team football in, say the top three tiers in England)
Because it seems like everyone gets excited when some kiwi teenager gets signed by some UK club. It makes the news here and then zippo. Seems to me the UK is one of the hardest places on the planet to rise up through the ranks. They have so much TV money that clubs can shop around the globe for talent for the top teams. There is very little space for English kids.....not surprised that kids from NZ can't make it.
Howieson joins the long list of promising youngsters who have to re assess where they are going. Its a shame for him because he did have talent.
You actually do wonder what sort of level some of the Youth and Reserve grade stuff is in England. Because guys like Adams and that midfielder from Blackburn came back to the Nix from OK UK clubs and were definitely NOT A-League standard.
Howieson definitely needs a huge slice of luck. He's no longer a promising teenager and his CV shows U21 Burnley and a handfull of games for NZ. Hardly a ringing endorsement for anyone recruiting. Probably back in NZ with AC and then get noticed by an A-League club or someone in the States is his best bet.
Chris and Rory for one. Mulligan did OK too.