Football Rejection: Owen Bailey's Story

Overview

• Experiences of young football players not reaching the top are explored, emphasizing the emotional impact and the necessity for enhanced support systems.
• A personal story is shared, detailing shattered professional football aspirations due to a ruptured quad sustained after playing and attending trials at different clubs.

Owen Bailey's Experience

• Owen Bailey played at Newcastle, his boyhood club, progressing through the age groups and signing a scholarship at 16.
• He captained the under-18s and under-23s, and joined the first team for a pre-season tour
• Bailey suffered a torn meniscus in October 2019, followed by a re-injury upon his return, which resulted in his release from the club.
• During his injury, Bailey felt isolated, and a change in the coach's attitude made him realize that his release from the club , was imminent.
• Bailey valued the opportunity to play regularly again after joining Gateshead.
• Open communication within the family during times of adversity, was particularly important according to Owen's mother
• Owen's mother viewed him as her son first, and a footballer second.

Devonte Redmond's Experience

• Before joining Wrexham, Devonte Redmond played for Manchester United's under 23s, where he became aware of the more cutthroat environment in professional football.
• Redmond recalls being called up to the first team alongside Axel Tuanzebe and Marcus Rashford under Louis van Gaal.
• Notification via Twitter informed him about his release, despite positive training performances with the first team , which was all the more painful given his years of service to the club.
• Post-release, Redmond reported that he felt emotionally distressed, believing he had failed his family and experiencing a crisis of purpose.
• He experienced an uncharacteristic emotional outburst of tears during this period.
• Redmond highlights the potential for depression among released players, emphasizing the crucial need for robust support during this transitional phase

Support for Young Players

• Clubs need to offer greater support which will allow young players to understand that life beyond the sport offers alternate routes and possibilities for success.
• Many young players fixate on football from an early age, but it is important to view it as only one dimension of their lives.

Experiences of young football players who don't reach the top. The emotional impact and the need for greater support are discussed. Owen Bailey recounts his journey, injury, and release from Newcastle, and his subsequent move to Gateshead.