Young Kiwis in UK
Actually coombes seems to have signed with fleet town fc in the isthmian league, and already played 2 games:
Fleet was one of the teams that the guys played against when they went on the pre season tour to England back in July.
Draper is playing in a league that is 6 divisions beneath the premier league - how is that good for the career????
Good point. He should go and play in the premier league
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/sport/news/trial-brings-dream-step-closer/3922913/
What happened to these 2 guys?
What happened to these 2 guys?
Ciao Stormpark94. Io sono da Italia. Perch� non si tenta di screditare la mia famiglia su un forum pubblico? Pensavo che fossi mio amico?
First league goal for Greg this morning in a 4-1 home win against unbeaten and top of the table Bromley.
They have drawm AFC Wimbledon at home in the next round of the FA Cup. This is the last qualifying round before the first round proper.
They have drawm AFC Wimbledon at home in the next round of the FA Cup. This is the last qualifying round before the first round proper.
Interview with Greg about todays cup tie.
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport/football/8464275.We_re_ready_to_take_on_the_Dons/
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport/football/8464275.We_re_ready_to_take_on_the_Dons/
Mark withers is the top goalscorer for bedworth united so far with 6 goals:
Greg Draper is suffering from a groin injury and might be ready to return pretty soon
Coombes played 12 games so far with fleet town fc and scored a goal:
I say again, what constitutes young ?
I say again, what constitutes young ?
Anyone younger than me.
Ferenc Puskas then?
Ferenc Puskas then?
I'm a chicken compared to him.
I say again, what constitutes young ?
Chad Coombes
Sam Heenan appeared only in 3 games this season despite FC Rhyl playing in the second tier of the welsh league. He scored once...
Cameron Lindsay only appeared twice as a substitute with blackburn u18:
Tough season for lindsay: the last time that he made an appearance on the bench for blackburn reserve was last october. I am wondering if he is injured right now?
Draper scored a crucial goal vs farnborough fc:
good from him
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/sport/news/trial-brings-dream-step-closer/3922913/
What happened to these 2 guys?
What happened to these 2 guys?
here is an answer from another thread
Gavin Gilbert and his team mate from Hamilton Wanderers, Jason Walker, 17, have been invited back to Kilmarnock FC, Scotland for further trials in April. They are looking forward to this opportunity and hope to be successful in securing places in the U19 squad for the club for the 2011/12 season.
Has recently signed 18 month professional contract at Northampton Town FC.
http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~2227531,00.html
http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~2227531,00.html
Built unused sub in his first game as a professional:
draper was a second half substitute vs st albans
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4595919/West-Brom-calling-for-teen-Gowan-Stares
West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
Gowan Stares grew up in England but didn't play football.
Now the 15-year-old Tawa College pupil is preparing to return to the mother country for a crack at the big time, having earned a trial at English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.
Stares, a central midfielder for Western Suburbs' reserve team, was one of three young Kiwis to impress West Brom's academy head coach Ryan Maye during a camp in Auckland this week.
Maye saw potential for the 1.83m Stares to be converted into a modern-style centre back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Stares, who speaks with a maturity beyond his tender years, will fly to England in the Easter holidays with a view to breaking into the club's academy on a fulltime basis.
"Even though I was born in England, I never actually played football over there," Stares said.
"So it'll be good to go over there and test myself against the other kids and see where it takes me. I grew up in Brighton, then moved to Australia in 1999 and Wellington in 2005.
"They said they don't have any defenders at West Brom that can take the ball out of defence and are good on the ball. So they want me to play there because with my midfield background I'm a more attacking option. I work quite hard and if you work hard enough, good opportunities happen. I see it as a good experience, training with a Premier League team."
West Brom, who are 16th in the Premier League, already have a Kiwi presence in the form of 19-year-old All Whites striker Chris Wood, who is on loan at League One club Brighton and Hove Albion.
West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
Gowan Stares grew up in England but didn't play football.
Now the 15-year-old Tawa College pupil is preparing to return to the mother country for a crack at the big time, having earned a trial at English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.
Stares, a central midfielder for Western Suburbs' reserve team, was one of three young Kiwis to impress West Brom's academy head coach Ryan Maye during a camp in Auckland this week.
Maye saw potential for the 1.83m Stares to be converted into a modern-style centre back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Stares, who speaks with a maturity beyond his tender years, will fly to England in the Easter holidays with a view to breaking into the club's academy on a fulltime basis.
"Even though I was born in England, I never actually played football over there," Stares said.
"So it'll be good to go over there and test myself against the other kids and see where it takes me. I grew up in Brighton, then moved to Australia in 1999 and Wellington in 2005.
"They said they don't have any defenders at West Brom that can take the ball out of defence and are good on the ball. So they want me to play there because with my midfield background I'm a more attacking option. I work quite hard and if you work hard enough, good opportunities happen. I see it as a good experience, training with a Premier League team."
West Brom, who are 16th in the Premier League, already have a Kiwi presence in the form of 19-year-old All Whites striker Chris Wood, who is on loan at League One club Brighton and Hove Albion.
If he got good who would he declare for I wonder? Based on nothing I'd say he doesn't have a hope of playing for England but Australia or NZ are both options as well.
His father (who may or may not be on here) better make sure it's NZ or there will be words.
If he got good who would he declare for I wonder? Based on nothing I'd say he doesn't have a hope of playing for England but Australia or NZ are both options as well. [/QUOTE]You're probably right about his chances of playing for England (but you never know - aim as high as you can and see where it takes you).
[QUOTE=Hard News]His father (who may or may not be on here) better make sure it's NZ or there will be words.
It could only be England or NZ (I think). We never got Aussie citizenship but got Kiwi citizenship last year. (Yes, we're amazed that they let us stay too! [QUOTE=Hard News]His father (who may or may not be on here) better make sure it's NZ or there will be words.
)There's a long way to go before thinking about international representation though. Unfortunately, he didn't make the NZ U17s this time around but he is a year younger than most of the squad that went through the qualifiers. The next international squad that he would be eligible for would be the next U20's in 2013 (and even then he'd only be 17) so more realistically the one after that in 2015. There's a lot of water to flow under the bridge before then.
Greg Draper scored a goal in Baskingstoke's 3-2 win over Dover
Greg Draper scored a goal in Baskingstoke's 3-2 win over Dover
He scored all three! Sign him up, Ricki!
www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2011/february/5/basingstoke_v_dover.aspx
An interesting article about greg draper:
If he got good who would he declare for I wonder? Based on nothing I'd say he doesn't have a hope of playing for England but Australia or NZ are both options as well.
You're probably right about his chances of playing for England (but you never know - aim as high as you can and see where it takes you).Absolutely. Hope he's good enough for England (but opts for NZ). As you said though, a few more years to go. Hope he does well.
Greg Draper scored a goal in Baskingstoke's 3-2 win over Dover
He scored all three! Sign him up, Ricki!
www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2011/february/5/basingstoke_v_dover.aspx
Looks like he's knocking them in as well, 16 goals in 21 games isn't a bad return.
Kris Bright was the same in the Norwegian Z division. We need to remember what level these players are playing at.
Hopefully Drapes gets noticed and moves higher and when he does it doesn't go all bright on him at that higher level.
I seem to remember he has quite a few cup goals against lesser opposition.
Would be good to see him play higher up as news says.
Would be good to see him play higher up as news says.
If he got good who would he declare for I wonder? Based on nothing I'd say he doesn't have a hope of playing for England but Australia or NZ are both options as well.
You're probably right about his chances of playing for England (but you never know - aim as high as you can and see where it takes you).Absolutely. Hope he's good enough for England (but opts for NZ). As you said though, a few more years to go. Hope he does well.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4595919/West-Brom-calling-for-teen-Gowan-Stares
West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
Gowan Stares grew up in England but didn't play football.
Now the 15-year-old Tawa College pupil is preparing to return to the mother country for a crack at the big time, having earned a trial at English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.
Stares, a central midfielder for Western Suburbs' reserve team, was one of three young Kiwis to impress West Brom's academy head coach Ryan Maye during a camp in Auckland this week.
Maye saw potential for the 1.83m Stares to be converted into a modern-style centre back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Stares, who speaks with a maturity beyond his tender years, will fly to England in the Easter holidays with a view to breaking into the club's academy on a fulltime basis.
"Even though I was born in England, I never actually played football over there," Stares said.
"So it'll be good to go over there and test myself against the other kids and see where it takes me. I grew up in Brighton, then moved to Australia in 1999 and Wellington in 2005.
"They said they don't have any defenders at West Brom that can take the ball out of defence and are good on the ball. So they want me to play there because with my midfield background I'm a more attacking option. I work quite hard and if you work hard enough, good opportunities happen. I see it as a good experience, training with a Premier League team."
West Brom, who are 16th in the Premier League, already have a Kiwi presence in the form of 19-year-old All Whites striker Chris Wood, who is on loan at League One club Brighton and Hove Albion.
West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
Gowan Stares grew up in England but didn't play football.
Now the 15-year-old Tawa College pupil is preparing to return to the mother country for a crack at the big time, having earned a trial at English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.
Stares, a central midfielder for Western Suburbs' reserve team, was one of three young Kiwis to impress West Brom's academy head coach Ryan Maye during a camp in Auckland this week.
Maye saw potential for the 1.83m Stares to be converted into a modern-style centre back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Stares, who speaks with a maturity beyond his tender years, will fly to England in the Easter holidays with a view to breaking into the club's academy on a fulltime basis.
"Even though I was born in England, I never actually played football over there," Stares said.
"So it'll be good to go over there and test myself against the other kids and see where it takes me. I grew up in Brighton, then moved to Australia in 1999 and Wellington in 2005.
"They said they don't have any defenders at West Brom that can take the ball out of defence and are good on the ball. So they want me to play there because with my midfield background I'm a more attacking option. I work quite hard and if you work hard enough, good opportunities happen. I see it as a good experience, training with a Premier League team."
West Brom, who are 16th in the Premier League, already have a Kiwi presence in the form of 19-year-old All Whites striker Chris Wood, who is on loan at League One club Brighton and Hove Albion.
If anyone's going to make something out of this opportunity it's this kid. Probably the most coachable player I've ever worked with. Great training attitude, fantastic approach to the game. Whether it's now or later he will make the absolute most of the abilities he has.
Out of the four (I think) lads that went to WBA last year with Premier Skills I think one got invited back (but wasn't able to go). It's great to have the Kiwi link between Roger Wilkinson and his Premier Skills company and West Brom. We would have done more to promote this year's Prem Skills camp (like we did last year) but I was away in America.
Anyway, good luck to Gowan.
Shame his father is so rubbish... oh. Whoops. Sorry Chris.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4595919/West-Brom-calling-for-teen-Gowan-Stares
West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement Smithy. Very much-appreciated.West Brom calling for teen Gowan Stares
SAM WORTHINGTON Last updated 05:00 29/01/2011
[/QUOTE]
If anyone's going to make something out of this opportunity it's this kid. Probably the most coachable player I've ever worked with. Great training attitude, fantastic approach to the game. Whether it's now or later he will make the absolute most of the abilities he has.
Out of the four (I think) lads that went to WBA last year with Premier Skills I think one got invited back (but wasn't able to go). It's great to have the Kiwi link between Roger Wilkinson and his Premier Skills company and West Brom. We would have done more to promote this year's Prem Skills camp (like we did last year) but I was away in America.
Anyway, good luck to Gowan.
[QUOTE=Hard News]Shame his father is so rubbish... oh. Whoops. Sorry Chris.
greg draper didn't play last game because he wasn t fit enough:
Michael Built unused sub vs aldershot