Important to realise that contracts were far less restrictive

and the entire system of youth recruitment was much, much less organised (e.g. Kalam Mooniaruck)

So a young teenager could go out on trial to pretty much any club, right up until 16 or 17.

Example: A 15 year-old Kevin Beattie had a successful trial for Liverpool and made a second trip south (from his Carlisle home) to discuss terms.

Finding there was no-one at Lime St station to meet Beattie on his arrival he returned back home.

Two years later he signed for Ipswich.

Posted By: Henclrikus on June 20th 2022 at 12:04:20

Message Thread

Was it common knowledge that Rio Ferdinand was at Norwich as a kid? (NCFC) - Only1Doherty, Jun 20, 11:03:26
- Yes. He left little messages in the lockers for future players (NCFC) - camcan, Jun 20, 12:56:08
- Important to realise that contracts were far less restrictive (NCFC) - Henclrikus, Jun 20, 12:04:20
- David Beckham was trained at Trowse for a while too (n/m) (NCFC) - Trent_Canary, Jun 20, 11:09:29
  - Yeah I knew that one. And Kano the rapper played for us for a while. (NCFC) - Only1Doherty, Jun 20, 11:19:31
    - Gordon Bennett reckoned he drove Rio to training with City at weekends (NCFC) - trt354, Jun 20, 11:49:06
    - I hadn't heard until recently no. (n/m) (NCFC) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Jun 20, 11:21:57
  - *also, not was! (n/m) (NCFC) - Trent_Canary, Jun 20, 11:11:21

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