Search is on for the best of the best football kids

The search for the best of the best schools’ footballers has started, and the most talented players will have the opportunity to represent their country in the 2018-2019 schools’ football season.

Under-18 boys’ trials began on October 20 in the North of England, where nominated players were given the opportunity to impress selectors.

Players have achieved recognition from their county, having already been chosen to be part of their own local representative team and subsequently nominated to trial for the England Schoolboy squad.

Two squads have so far been selected and announced on the ESFA website.

The penultimate U18 trials have now commenced at Bentford Sports in the South East, with the last of the regional trials taking place on November 4 in the South West, at the Somerdale Pavilion in Bristol.

Players selected from each of the four regions will be given the chance to play internationally by proving their ability to play effectively, both individually and within a team.

The best players will be chosen to make up the ESFA England squad, where they will have the honour of representing their country.

Multiple successful trialists are from schools in Greater Manchester and already represent Greater Manchester in County teams.

Local players for the North of England team include Sam Tickle, Alex Doyle, Sam Aeditloye, Will Shepherd, Emmanuel Ogirinde, Ethan Brookes and Brandon Lockett.

The final Trials will take place at Stafford Town FC in Stafford on Saturday, December 1.

This will see the teams from all four regions play against one another in a bid for each of the players to prove why they are deserving of a place in the final squad, which will be announced on the week commencing December 3.

The ESFA are proud to be able to support those students who choose to remain in mainstream education and not the academy system are look to reward these students by providing opportunities for them to embark to the highest possible level of schools’ football, particularly at U18 level.

This is because the ESFA has deeply rooted values in education, celebrating students that make the decision to build a solid foundation of qualifications, wherever their football career may take them.

The England squad will have the opportunity to go on to represent their country in the Centenary Shield home nations competition.

This will include two home matches, details of which will be announced over the coming weeks.

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