FOOTBALL TRIAL SWANSEA CITY,
Full Name : Ellis Michael Pickering
Date of Birth : 19/02/96
Your Nationality : Welsh
Best Position : Winger/Striker
Current Club : Cimla Youth
Previous Clubs : Lonlas Youth Club, Afan Nedd, Swansea City, Bryncoch, Cwrt Herbert
Which Club you want a trials for : Any Club
Your County : Neath Port Talbot
Country you live : Wales
Tell us about your football history (Min 50 words) : I started playing football at the age of 6 for Lonlas it was my local team and many of my friends played for them. Lonlas had 2 sides and I played for the A side. I played centre midfield, scored and assisted many goals for the club. At Lonlas under 10’s I had trials at district side Afan Nedd, I played a game for Afan Nedd and was picked up by Swansea City scouts after a 4 week trial i was unsuccessful and due to disliking the coaching at Afan Nedd I was left with only my club team Lonlas. I decided the best way of getting trophies was to move club, I went to Bryncoch Yellows and in the first season I was key in winning the domestic cup and for runners up losing out to fellow Bryncoch team in my first year of the club scoring 8 goals and many assist at my new position of right midfield.
In my second season we came runners up again in the league and runners up in the cup. The fellow season me and fellow players in the club we not getting fair playing time and wasn’t happy about the way the coach was handling it so I ended up moving clubs to Cwrt Herbert Colts and with the club reached the semi-finals of the cup but was unable to play due to Achilles tendonitis. At the end of the year the club the club was short on players, so we decided to join with a fellow league club Cimla.
In the first season of Cimla Colts I asked to change my position to striker and I was involved in helping winning the league title and reaching the semi-finals of the domestic cup losing on penalties, scoring in the shoot-out. In the same season I was the highest goal scorer of the club in the boys club of Wales where we reached the semi-finals of the competition where we a year younger team. I scored the winning the goal against Bridgend league champions, I also scored the opening goal in the semi final with my first shot on goal. I had to go off mid way through the second half due to a minor injury, after I went off that’s when we conceded and took a team that hasn’t lost in three years to penalties unfortunately. Their was welsh trials and my coach said he would have recommended me but unfortunately he thought would not suit the requirements that they were looking for. In my final season of junior football I was key member in our season, we won the league with out losing a game and scored over 15 goals.
In the season our goal keeper had problems with his toes which meant he was out for a short period of time, in one game against 2nd place our second choice keeper got injured in the warm up and the manager asked me to go in, I keep a clean sheet during the game and during the next game I played in which means I’ve played 160 minutes of football in goals with out conceding a goal. We came close to losing a game against second place contenders, losing 2-0 at the break, I came on and with in 15 minutes I pulled a goal back chipping the keeper from outside the box. I was also involved in the equaliser laying the ball off to the goal scorer. We also won the domestic cup beating rivals 2-1, scoring the opening goal. my biggest achievement in my football was winning the West Wales cup the biggest cup in welsh football. I was a vital in getting my club into the final, especially in the semi-final beating the favourites on penalties, I set up both of my clubs two goals and was the first penalty taker, unfortunately missing after a great save by the keeper. Even though i missed our keeper came to the rescue and saved every one of their penalties. In the final we played a very though opposition beating the team 1-0 by a penalty. Although I didn’t score, I did have a few chances, I brushed the side of the post after a shot from the edge of the box after fooling the defender with a step over. In the same game I took the ball around the goal keeper but good defending cleared it off the line.
I was replaced with five minutes to go by a defender as a tactical substitution to keep the lead. we reached the final of the Boys Club of Wales knowing a win would give us a perfect season. I started off as a substitute and came on with 20 minutes to go 2-0 down with a man down I was able to set up 1 goal but we were no able to win the game losing to a very good opposition. The season was the best I’ve ever had. In the presentation i was the winner of coaches player of the year, also nominated for both players and managers player of the year. Pre-season of youth football i was called up to the senior team and played against higher opposition scoring 1 goal in two games for them, the coach of the senior team is an ex professional player and ex semi professional coach and believes i am a future star and could make it.
Write about your Playing Ability (Min 50 words) : I like to play passing football around the defence. I also like to use my skill and speed against the defenders my quick feet mean I‘m able to get past the defence and with speed the defenders are unable to catch me. Because I am quick I reach a large proportion of through balls with this I am left with either one-on-ones with the keeper or out wide ready to whip in dangerous crosses to fellow team members. My crosses are very accurate and during a season I get more assists than goals, this is due to me being the main set piece taker in the team. I take both right and left hand side corners, I cross in free kicks and take closer free kicks making the keeper work and also scoring. My fitness is a key part of my performance, I like to keep my fitness high so I can keep running on the pitch, chasing down players to close them down. My fitness also helps as when opponents get tired I am able to capitalise as I am still fresh. My passing is very accurate and my vision is good so I am able to move the ball accurately into the right places. My first touch Is also very good, I am able to keep the ball very close to me while running at speed and a lot of the time if the defenders gets the ball it is usually by foul, resorting in set pieces to my team. I have the ability to play in many positions and I m happy to play where ever the manager wants me to. As a striker I am capable of finishing my chances, whether they be from close or far distance away from goal during any time of the match, both open play and set pieces. Although I am not the biggest player, I am still very good in the air and am able to contend for the ball with bigger players than myself.
Why should an Academy Director give you a trial (Min 50 words) : I believe an academy director give me a trial is because I’m a young player who is able to play football. Also I have played in cup finals which means I am able to perform under pressure. I am able to score and assist which helps the team I’m playing for achieve the best they can. I am a good player and young which means I’m still going to improve mentally and physically. With the help of professional coaching I will listen to everything they would say making me the best player I can possibly be. I have a good footballing brain. I haven’t had many opportunities for higher quality football so if I had a chance, I would take the opportunity. I would be happy to have trials at any available club.