Manchester College student

Jamie one step closer to professional football

 

Sports student Jamie Matthews flies to Chicago next month to follow his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

17 year old Jamie has been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend three months with Major League Soccer (MLS) team Chicago Fire, which he hopes will result in a professional contract.

Winger Jamie studies on the BTEC National Diploma in Sport, is also part of The Manchester College’s Football Academy Team, and has played for FC United’s youth team in the past. Last year, Jamie took part in the Sky 1 football competition ‘Football’s Next Star’, ranking top in over 7,000 hopefuls, before unfortunately having to withdraw with a knee injury.

Coaches at Chicago Fire saw clips of the show and contacted Jamie’s agent to offer him the chance of a contract with them.

The MLS season kicks off on 6th May and Jamie could find himself lining up against global superstars like David Beckham and Thierry Henry in the coming months. All the staff and students at the college wish him the best of luck.

Jamie is excited about his future ‘I’m really hoping that I can do well over there and maybe sign my first professional contract. I’ve got a great chance and I want to make the most of it.’ Speaking about his time at the college’s Football Academy he said ‘The training is really professional, it makes you want to develop more and more as the season goes on. The coaches are great too – they push you hard to help you succeed.’

If you’re aged 16-18 and fancy following in Jamie’s footsteps you're very welcome at The Manchester College Football Academy trials on Monday 18th April at the Nicholls Sixth Form Centre on Hyde Road, Ardwick.

Male trials take place 10am - 1pm, female 2pm - 4pm.
Call Paul Bright, Lead Sport Development Officer
on 0161 920 4811 for more information.