by Tom Blackett
WOULD-BE footballers are being given the chance to build a career in the game – through a unique tradesman challenge.
Fiat Professional, official partner of the Football League, has launched its Tradesman Trials, a national search to find a current tradesman who has the talent to make it as a professional footballer in the Football League.
Former tradesmen turned professional footballers Stuart Pearce, Dean Windass and Geoff Horsfield kick-started the campaign by taking part in a Tradesman Challenge, to see if they still have their old skills.
England legend Pearce started his career as an electrician and continued until the age of 25, alongside his professional football duties, while Hull hero Windass was a hod carrier on a building site in Hull for 18 months.
Former Fulham and Birmingham striker Horsfield worked as a builder before he signed professional terms and has since returned to the building trade full-time.
Pearce said: “When I first moved to Nottingham Forest from Coventry, I advertised in the match day programme to get some extra income.
“I eventually stopped, but Brian Clough never stopped bringing in his broken irons, toasters and kettles to the training ground for me to rewire!”
Fiat Professional marketing manager Andrea Patti said: “Our aim is to find the next big name who has the footballing ability but just hasn't had the right opportunity.
“We look forward to seeing the entries come through and the winner crowned at the end of June, ready for what I am sure will be an incredible experience.”
Tradesmen who think they've got what it takes to win a one-month trial at a Football League club have until June 12 to showcase their skills by submitting videos of their football 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, to take place by the end of June, when they will be put through their paces in front of a selection of scouts and Fiat Professional's football ambassadors.
The winner will then select his preferred club from those signed up to the campaign and receive a £2,000 prize. Time to get training?
