[Football] Trent Alexander Arnold's After Academy to support released young players

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Eeyore

Munching grass in Queen's Park
NSC Patron
Apr 5, 2014
28,701
I remember seeing a piece about a boy who was at the Crystal Palace academy. He was about 13. He was absolutely driven and his parents were just the same. My immediate thought was how he would cope if he was released. Essentially these kids are operating in a world that only adults have to embrace. Competitive, dog eat dog. I'm really pleased that TAA has seen this. He always came across as a gracious and balanced lad.
 


Binney on acid

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Nov 30, 2003
2,815
Shoreham
Offers hope to some incredibly vulnerable young people. Shame it's taken so long for a star player to come up with such a fantastic initiative.
 






Weststander

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 25, 2011
73,220
Withdean area
What led you to have little time for TAA in the first place?

He might not be the best defender but he’s always come across as a decent lad.

With incredible assists stats, a brilliant passer and he’s won the lot.

A long interview on BBC Breakfast this morning, they featured young men whose dreams had been shattered, this is a wonderful new resource for these folk.
 




BNthree

Plastic JCL
Sep 14, 2016
12,154
WeHo
There’s a great book/video called No Hunger In Paradise about football academies and the young players.
 




Normal Rob

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2003
5,918
Somerset
What led you to have little time for TAA in the first place?

He might not be the best defender but he’s always come across as a decent lad.
Yes, fair point. It comes across in print harsher than intended. I'm just not that familiar with him outside of 'on the pitch'
 




dejavuatbtn

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2010
7,936
Henfield
Many years ago I used to give digs to apprentices and triallists at the Albion. Apprentices did college once a week but treated it as a day off. For many it was their only chance in life as they either lost or had no other focus at school. For the vast majority it all ended in disappointment and an uncertain future. Good on TAA for his initiative.
 




Biscuit Barrel

Well-known member
Jan 28, 2014
3,098
Southwick

Very impressed with TAA's Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling. Not sure if he already spoke Spanish or if he had been learning prior to the move.

Edit - I do not speak Spanish and he could have been awful for all I know.
 


Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
61,062
Faversham

Very impressed with TAA's Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling. Not sure if he already spoke Spanish or if he had been learning prior to the move.

Edit - I do not speak Spanish and he could have been awful for all I know.
I'm glad the booing that started once it was clear he was off, from some of his own support, pretty much stopped in later games.

If find it odd how easily some folk find they can 'hate' players from other clubs, plucking false tropes out of the sky to justify their narrative :shrug:

I hope TAA has a great rest of career.
Just as long as his assist doesn't knock us out of the Champions' League in a couple of seasons.
 


Bakero

Languidly clinical
Oct 9, 2010
15,873
Almería

Very impressed with TAA's Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling. Not sure if he already spoke Spanish or if he had been learning prior to the move.

Edit - I do not speak Spanish and he could have been awful for all I know.

His Spanish was decent. Not sure if he was reading from an autocue/notes, but grammatically and lexically it was accurate. Pronunciation pretty good too. He's clearly been learning for a good while
 




Weststander

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 25, 2011
73,220
Withdean area
His Spanish was decent. Not sure if he was reading from an autocue/notes, but grammatically and lexically it was accurate. Pronunciation pretty good too. He's clearly been learning for a good while

It’s felt that Real first made contact with TAA 18 months ago.
 


Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
61,062
Faversham
His Spanish was decent. Not sure if he was reading from an autocue/notes, but grammatically and lexically it was accurate. Pronunciation pretty good too. He's clearly been learning for a good while

The former Liverpool player who pundits now said he learnt Spanish while bored during Covid, and mentioned that lots of players learn a foreign language. And we dismiss them all as being thick and lazy. Think again....
The modern game is full of surprises. The elite players . . . .
 


Klaas

I've changed this
Nov 1, 2017
2,790
I half expected to click on the video for him to say Hola and gracias only for the Birtish press to be wowed. But that was very very good. Even if he had had it prepared, pronunciation was good too. Impressive.
 










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