When I got home I didn't even tell my parents, or any other family member about what happened or ask for advice, as nobody asked me, and I had made it this far on my own, I thought I didn't need any help or guidance. I spent the next few days planning my journey and practicing as usual, waiting for the training day to arrive. I was feeling quite confident, but not as assured as the week before, maybe it was because of the step up I was making and I was feeling the pressure much more than I realised.
Training day arrives and I make my way down to west London. When I arrive I see lots of players on the astro-turf floodlit pitch, and as I make my way to the entrance I have to explain to three separate people why I was there, as the scout that told me to attend was no where to be seen.
Eventually I'm lead to the group that I will be training with, and there are twenty or so other players. Was I on trial? I thought to myself as I didn't see any of the players that I played against on the weekend before and I wasn't treated with open arms or any different to any other player, which I found strange especially after the performance I gave against them.
Training gets underway and I love it!
One and two touch passing exercises, short sprints, shooting and attacking play followed by a game. After training I'm am given £2 for my travel expenses and told to attend training on Thursday. On the way home I feel quite confused and a bit deflated, but I tried to stay positive as Thursday might be different.
Thursday arrives and I'm back in west London. I'm put into a smaller group with new coaches, and there is still no sign of the scout. I start to feel alone and lost as I've not made any friends yet. Training starts and I do OK, but I'm not at my best. Ten minutes before the end two players are taken from my group into another group, and I now start fearing the worst.
Training ends and we are told to go to the changing rooms for a chat with the coaches. We are thanked for attending the sessions, but unfortunately we were not quite ready to continue with Chelsea at this time. We were wished all the best and given our £2 travel expenses.
I was devastated.
To be continued...