Boreham Wood Football Club are delighted to announce record breaking trial numbers in their first trial for the 2014/2015 season. The PASE Academy’s previous record was 108 trialists, but this figure was blown out of the water, as we welcomed over 165 trialists to Meadow Park to show off their talent in front of the excited watchful eyes of our Boreham Wood PASE Academy coaches.
As flurries of boys registered for the trial, the volume of numbers astounded the coaches. With an official 10.00am registration; by 9.10am we had over 30 boys; by 9.30am over 50 boys; by 9.50am over 100 boys; by 10.20am over 150 boys; and with a few latecomers the final number for the trial was 167 boys! Nearly 60 trialists better than our previous best!
With such impressive numbers of trialists, the trial was split into two separate groups. Two groups of over 80 players were assigned to each Head Coach Luke Garrard, and Mario Noto respectfully. In the morning, the first group went out onto the 3G astro turf to show the coaches their footballing ability, whilst the second group and their parents received an inspiring talk from Boreham Wood FC Chairman Danny Hunter, filled out their education forms, and had a tour of the facilities including our new 900-seater West Stand. In the afternoon the two groups switched places.
Overall the coaches were very impressed, Academy Director Luke Garrard said “We are very happy with the response we have had this year in terms of numbers. Everyone involved with the Club and the PASE Academy have worked tirelessly over the past months in the recruitment process thus far, whether that be the production of our new PASE Academy video, or spreading the word via social media.”
Garrard continued “The standard of players was high, and I believe that we put on a professional trial for them to get an insight of the Club, the coaching, its facilities, and the education. Across the board, it was a great day for the PASE Academy.”
The scheme over the years has come on leaps and bounds from its inauguration in 2002. Our PASE Scheme and youth structure has won National Titles and many other leagues and cups. We’ve also produced 12 England Internationals at Schools and College level over the last 5 years, which is more than any other club at our level in the entire Country.
We have progressed many of our boys in the last 10 years to play at a senior non-league level of football, and presently we have 7 PASE Scheme players in our First Team squad and currently playing at Conference South Level.
In addition, we have five of our old youth team players have now stepped into the professional game. In fact Lee Hodson, and Matthew Whichelow both played first team football with Watford FC.
In 2012 we allowed Pelly Ruddock to join East London giants West Ham United, after he had enjoyed a successful week long trial. After impressing Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, Pelly put pen to paper on a two and a half year contract.
Pelly was a fundamental player in the Hammer’s Under 21 and reserve team, has now been given a West Ham United First Team squad number of 33, and has gone onto make his First Team debut in the last 16 of the Capital Cup against Championship outfit Burnley FC. Pelly played the entire game at center back partnering England Under 21 International James Tomkins in a 2-0 victory for the Hammers. Pelly has now joined The Skrill Conference leader Luton Town FC on a permanent basis.
Furthermore, former youth team player Calaum Jahraldo-Martin has recently joined Premier League side Hull City. Lastly, Kyle Vassell, who played for Boreham Wood Football Club’s youth team from the ages 13-16, has now joined League One outfit Peterborough United FC.
Perhaps you could be the next to progress form Boreham Wood FC into the Football League? Boreham Wood PASE Academy’s next trial will be held on Thursday 10th April 2014, 10.00am registration. To register for the next trial or for more information on the PASE Academy if you’re interested in joining us here during this exciting time, please call the PASE office on 020 8953 5716.
