Premier League academies: The brutal release stories of Devonte Redmond and Owen Bailey | BBC Sport

BBC Sport

16 Jan 202209:09

Summary

TLDRThe script explores the often heart-wrenching journey of young footballers who dream of playing in the Premier League but don't make it. It follows the stories of Owen Bailey and Devonte Redmond, detailing their rise through youth academies, struggles with injuries, and the crushing disappointment of being released. The documentary delves into the psychological impact of their career setbacks and highlights the importance of support systems and finding identity beyond football. It advocates for clubs to provide better guidance for players transitioning out of professional sports, underscoring that there's life and identity beyond football.

Takeaways

🏃 The dream of becoming a professional footballer is shattered for many young players due to injuries or other factors.
💔 The emotional toll of not making it in football can lead to feelings of depression and a loss of identity for these players.
📱 Social media can amplify the shock and disappointment when a player is released, as seen with the character who saw his name on a release list.
🏥 Injuries like a ruptured quad or torn meniscus can end a player's career, requiring a tough year of rehabilitation and potentially leading to a repeat injury.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family dynamics change when a child is signed to a football club, with increased expectations and attention from others.
🔝 The pressure is immense for young players in development phases, where every point matters and the competition is fierce.
🤝 Support from family and coaches is crucial during the rehabilitation process and when dealing with the reality of not continuing in professional football.
🚗 The realization of a football career ending can come in a moment of solitude, leading to a deep emotional response.
🤔 Players need to find a new purpose and identity after football, which can be challenging after dedicating their lives to the sport.
👶 The perspective of parents is important, as they see their child's journey from a personal and emotional standpoint, not just as a footballer.
🌟 Optimism and resilience are key traits that help players navigate the difficult transition after a football career ends.

Q & A

What was the individual's dream growing up?
-The individual's dream was to become a professional footballer.
Which clubs did the individual play for before his career was affected by injury?
-The individual played at Reading, trialed at Chelsea, and then signed at Yeovil Town.
What injury ended the individual's dream of playing professional football?
-A ruptured quadriceps (quad) injury ended his dream.
How did the individual describe the feeling when he realized his football career might be over?
-He described it as a state of almost depression, feeling like everything he worked towards since he was nine was gone.
What was Owen Bailey's experience like after being signed by his boyhood club, Newcastle?
-Owen Bailey felt extremely busy and excited, as it was his local team and a dream come true. He progressed through the age groups and even signed a scholarship at the age of 16.
What injury did Owen Bailey suffer that led to a tough year of rehabilitation?
-Owen Bailey tore his meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee, which led to a difficult year of recovery.
How did Owen Bailey's family react to his setbacks?
-His family, particularly his mother, was very supportive but also experienced moments of seeing him quite down. His mother emphasized that Owen is her son first and a footballer second.
What advice does Owen's mother have for other families going through similar situations?
-She advises other families to maintain open and honest communication, and to remember that their child is who they are first, with football being a part of their identity, not the entirety of it.
How did the individual in the script cope with the realization that his football career was over?
-The individual went through a period of struggle, including crying in his car and contemplating his purpose in life. He recognized that he was in a state of almost depression.
What is the general sentiment regarding the support provided to young players after they leave football clubs?
-The sentiment expressed is that the support isn't always there for players when they leave clubs, and there is a need for more assistance in showing these young people alternatives and a life away from football.
How did the individual's perspective on his purpose and life change after his football career ended?
-The individual questioned his purpose and felt lost, as football had been his focus from a young age. He realized that there is much more to life after football and that it's important to find a new direction.
What is the takeaway message from the experiences shared in the script?
-The takeaway message is the importance of resilience, mental health awareness, and the need for support systems for young athletes transitioning out of their sports careers.

Outlines

00:00

😞 Shattered Dreams: The Struggles of Football Hopefuls

The first paragraph delves into the emotional journey of aspiring footballers who face the harsh reality of not making it to the top. It starts with the narrator's personal experience of a football career cut short by injury, and the subsequent feelings of loss and depression. The paragraph also touches on the broader issue of the high percentage of young players who do not make it into the Premier League despite their efforts. It highlights the experiences of Owen Bailey, who had a promising career with Newcastle until a severe injury set him back. The narrative includes the impact of injuries, the psychological effects of not living up to expectations, and the difficulty of transitioning from a football-focused life to something else.

05:02

🤔 The Transition Challenge: Life After Football

The second paragraph continues the discussion on the challenges faced by footballers who do not succeed in the professional leagues. It explores the mental health struggles and the sense of failure that comes with not fulfilling a dream, especially when it has been the central focus of one's life. The speaker talks about the impact on family and the pressure to give back to those who have supported them. The paragraph also includes a conversation with Devonte Redmond, who reflects on his time at Manchester United and the shock of being released. It emphasizes the need for support systems for players during this transition phase and the importance of recognizing that there is life beyond football. The narrative concludes with advice for families going through similar situations, stressing the importance of communication and maintaining perspective on the child's identity beyond their football career.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Premier League

The Premier League is the top level of the English football league system and is the most-watched sports league in the world. In the video, it represents the pinnacle of professional football that the subjects aspire to play in. The script mentions 'Premier League academies' and the harsh reality that only a small percentage of academy players actually make it to play in the Premier League.

💡Academies

A football academy is a training institution for young football players to develop their skills. The script discusses the rigorous training and high expectations that come with being part of a Premier League academy, and the disappointment when dreams of professional football are not realized.

💡Injury

Injuries are physical damage or harm that can occur to athletes, which can be career-threatening, especially in contact sports like football. The video script highlights the story of a player whose dreams were shattered by a 'ruptured quad,' illustrating the fragility of a football career and the impact of injuries on players' lives and mental health.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. The video emphasizes the mental health struggles that players face when their football dreams are not fulfilled, with mentions of 'depression' and the 'struggle' to find purpose after football.

💡Youth Contracts

Youth contracts are agreements made with young footballers who show promise and are signed by football clubs to their youth teams. In the script, signing a youth contract is described as a significant milestone, akin to 'passing your driving test times 10,' indicating the high hopes and pressures associated with such achievements.

💡Meniscus Tear

A meniscus tear refers to an injury involving the meniscus, which is a piece of cartilage in the knee that can be torn, often causing pain and difficulty in movement. The script narrates the story of a player who suffered a meniscus tear, underwent rehabilitation, and faced the same injury again, highlighting the physical challenges and emotional toll of such recurring injuries.

💡Release

In the context of football, to be 'released' means to be let go by a club, often because a player is no longer part of the club's plans. The video discusses the emotional impact of being released, with one player expressing feelings of failure and letting down his family and himself after seeing his name on a release list.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand hardships. The video portrays the resilience of players who face career-ending injuries or are released from clubs, showing their ability to bounce back and find new paths in life, as demonstrated by the optimistic outlook of one player after his setbacks.

💡Support Systems

Support systems refer to the network of family, friends, and professionals that provide emotional, psychological, and practical assistance. The video emphasizes the importance of these systems in helping players cope with the disappointments and transitions away from football, with one player's mother highlighting the need for clubs to provide more support.

💡Transition

Transition in this context refers to the process of moving from one state or stage to another, particularly from being a professional footballer to finding a new career or life path. The video explores the challenges of transition, especially the emotional and psychological aspects, as players grapple with a loss of identity and purpose post-football.

💡Family Dynamics

Family dynamics involve the relationships, roles, and interactions between family members. The script provides insight into how the pursuit of a football career can affect these dynamics, with parents expressing concern for their children's well-being and the emotional toll the sport can take on the entire family.

Highlights

The emotional toll of not making it as a professional footballer, despite a lifetime of dedication.

The reality that 97% of young players from Premier League academies never play top-flight football.

The sudden end to dreams due to injury, as experienced by the interviewee with a ruptured quad.

The psychological impact of being released from a football club, leading to feelings of depression.

The high expectations and pressure that come with signing a youth team contract.

The joy and sense of achievement associated with progression through age groups and signing with a local team.

The devastating effect of a serious injury on a player's career and self-identity.

The difficulty of dealing with the reality of being released from a club after a long tenure.

The importance of family support and maintaining perspective on a player's identity beyond football.

The resilience and optimism shown by players despite facing career-threatening challenges.

The transition and reflection process of players who have moved on from professional football.

The stark contrast between the support system in place for players during their football career and the lack thereof after release.

The need for clubs to provide more support and guidance for players transitioning out of football.

The personal growth and new beginnings experienced by players who find success post-injury or release.

The advice for families to maintain open communication and prioritize the well-being of the child over footballing success.

The broader life lessons and the importance of finding purpose beyond football for young athletes.

The妈妈的骄傲感，不仅仅因为儿子在足球场上的表现，更因为他的坚韧和积极态度。

对于年轻球员来说，足球可能占据了他们从幼年起的大部分生活焦点，但足球只是他们人生的一小部分，他们有更多人生要去体验。