young football player head and shoulders shot with school playing fields behind him

Kasper, from Germany, is enrolled on the IHM Football Academy at Ellesmere College. Last term he attended the IHM Showcase event in Manchester where he was spotted by League 2 club, Crewe Alexandra. Kasper was surprised that h’d been successful at that event as he felt that he hadn’t really played so well. However, his coach explained to him how the Crewe scout was looking for a player just like Kasper and so this secured him an 7 week trial at the club, travelling to train with them each Monday and Wednesday.

“It was a really high level, good football, I was really enjoying it because I’d never had that experience before.” enthuses young Kasper.

Since then Kasper as a result of the next Showcase, held at Ellesmere College, Kasper again managed to impress, despite him feeling that this was more of a challenge due to the higher level of players taking part. However, as a result he was invited to trial with TNS. The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club, also known as The New Saints or TNS is a full-time-professional football club in the Welsh Premier League.

“The coaching on the programme is really good.” Kasper said, speaking about his experience on the IHM Football Academy programme at Ellesmere. “They talk to players individually and I think that is really important. They offer trials and it’s really good.”

The next IHM Football Academy Showcase event is in Manchester on Wednesday 17 April. You can see more details and book here.