Proud (or barmy?) Dad - My son is a natural footballer!

[Deano's Right Foot]

Okay, I admit that I may be biased, but my son (three in September) seems to be very good at football. Walking at 12 months, he was kicking a ball one week later. He is completely mad about football and has already been banned from playing in the house having broken a clock and a picture frame. He now goes outside and kicks a football against the wall at every opportunity (when he’s not doing an ollie on his skateboard) and when we go to the park and play he has a complete strop when it’s time to go home. Every time we have a kick about in public there is always someone who comes up and says that he seems to have natural ability. We kick the ball to each other and he can return a reasonably paced pass back to me accurately and with power. His goalie kicks (punts or drop kicks) can often fly over my head, and he is developing a pretty mean long throw (both legs on the ground). Occasionally he’ll run off with the ball challenging me to tackle him and keeping it under pretty close control. If you say to him do some skills he’ll attempt the back-flick between one heel and the other instep (although he hasn’t perfected this yet!) His favourite shirt is his Brighton top.

So what should I do and when? Clearly getting on to the blower to Dean Wilkins tomorrow is a bit premature. I’m torn between putting too much pressure too early on him and being really intrigued as to how good he really is compared to others of his age – maybe he’s just average (gasp!). I’d also like advice on how to nurture his talents – at what age should I start getting some coaching for him? Has anyone else got a son or daughter who appears to have exceptional football skills?

In my dreams I see him playing for the Albion of course, and indeed I am certainly looking forward to him buying me a house with his first million! Of course I am not a complete fantasist, and I realise that the chances of him making it are pretty slim.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Just make sure that you tell him that if he signs for anyone else but Brighton he won't get pudding for a year.

 

[Wozza]

Get a large Albion tattoo on his forearm ASAP.

 

[Icy Gull]

I see him playing for the Albion of course, and .... his first million! .

Those two don't really go together do they

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Re: Re: Proud (or barmy?) Dad - My son is a natural footballer!

Those two don't really go together do they

Clearly he'll take us into the premiership!

 

[Brovion]

The best thing you can do for the next couple of years is what you're doing at the moment - keep on encouraging him and work on the basics. When he's about 5 take him to Withdean 2000. He'll be able to join in the training sessions with boys a year or two older than him - then you'll see how good he is. He'll be picked up by the Albion at about 8.

My son's best friend has been with Albion for over a year now (was Under 10's last season. Another friends's lad (aged 7) has just been approached by Portsmouth!

Both boys were Withdean players.

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Thanks Brovian.