What does it take to become a professional footballer? A mix of luck, opportunity, football ability and intelligence, along with attitude and character, will give you a fighting chance of getting recruited into a football academy, staying there, and progressing in the game. If you’re a young player currently in an academy, this book will help you make the most of it. If you’re playing the game at grassroots level and want to get into an academy, this book will advise you on what you need to do to get there. Whoever you are, one thing is true: you’ve got a chance at fulfilling your potential and achieving your football dreams. But it all depends on what you want and how hard you’re willing to work. Are you ready for your long audition? "A MUST-READ FOR ANY YOUNG FOOTBALLER LOOKING TO MAKE IT IN THE GAME” HOPE POWELL , FORMER ENGLAND WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER “A DETAILED TOOLKIT FOR FUTURE FOOTBALL STARS" MANISHA TAILOR, MBE, FORMER HEAD OF COACHING DEVELOPMENT, QPR "A MUST-READ FOR ANY YOUNG FOOTBALLER LOOKING TO MAKE IT IN THE GAME" HOPE POWELL , FORMER ENGLAND WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER "A DETAILED TOOLKIT FOR FUTURE FOOTBALL STARS" MANISHA TAILOR, MBE, FORMER HEAD OF COACHING DEVELOPMENT, QPR "AN EXPERT IN PLAYER AND COACH DEVELOPMENT" JUSTIN COCHRANE, HEAD OF COACHING, BRENTFORD John Allpress is a qualified teacher and holds the UEFA A Licence and the FA Advanced Youth Award. He began his teaching career in Hackney in East London where he was head of physical education for 13 years. During this period, he coached part time at the Charlton Athletic FC centre of excellence. He then joined the FA as a football development officer, before being promoted to regional coach for London North.In 1997, John joined Ipswich Town FC to help with the formation of their new football academy, before returning to the FA in 2000 as national young player development Coach. During this second period he coached the England U16 and U17 teams and helped design the FA Youth Award.In 2013, he left the FA to join the Tottenham Hotspur FC Academy where he worked in player and coach development until his retirement in March 2022.