Football trials for tradesmen

TRADESMEN have the chance to win a month-long trial at Athletic, thanks to a new competition.

Fiat Professional, an official partner of the Football League, has launched the ‘Fiat Professional Tradesman Trials’, a nationwide search to find a tradesman who has the talent to make it as a professional.

The move from the trades to professional football is a well-trodden path. There is a long list of past and present players who started out as tradesmen ­– including Southampton striker Charlie Austin, who was a builder, and former Athletic loan striker Dean Windass, who had worked as a hod carrier.

Local tradesmen who think they’ve got what it takes to win a trial with Athletic have until June 12 to showcase their skills, by submitting videos of their footballing talent to www.tradesmantrials.co.uk

The best entries will then be invited to attend an exclusive ‘Tradesman Trials’ day, in association with the Football League, that will take place by the end of June. There, they will be put through their paces in front of a selection of scouts and Fiat Professional’s football ambassadors.

The winner will then be able to choose to undertake their trial at Athletic and will also receive a £2,000 prize.