Young guns take aim
Sharpshooter: Flying winger Cfn Jason Silver (REME) fires a shot across Camberley Town’s bows in the Under-23 clash at Aldershot’s Military Stadium
Interviews: Richard Long
Pictures: Graeme Main
FOR the majority of teenage boys the ultimate dream is for a career as a professional footballer.
But for every star in the making there are dozens of players who are released from academy and youth teams after being told they are not good enough to make the grade.
After years of living and breathing football, these young men face the daunting prospect of having to find an alternative career and often struggle for the right direction.
The Army has seen a steady flow of such players joining its ranks in recent years and SoldierSport visited the next generation of Service footballers to learn more about this transition.
Maj Dave Manners (AGC), chairman of the Under-23 side, said that while the Army does not have any direct links with professional clubs, every effort is made to identify top players when they sign up.
“When they go to Phase One training there is a talent-spotting regime,” he explained. “One of the questions they are asked is if they play sport at a decent level.
“The recruiters talk about what interests they have and tell them they can play at a good standard while serving in the military.
“The forms go back to the Army Sport Control Board and we go down to look for footballers.”
He added: “We are trying to develop players for Army football and to raise standards across the units.
“They are good players but they are also good soldiers, we will not keep them in the team if they are not performing in the regiment.
“We have a very easy-going set-up but discipline is key.”
The Under-23s are aiming for a third consecutive Inter-Services title this season and were in fine form against Camberley Town, coming from two goals down to record a 5-2 victory.
Cfn Jason Silver (REME) gave a scintillating performance and Manners is hopeful that he and a number of others will progress to the senior side.
“The transition from the Under-23s to the first team has not been as good as I would have liked,” he said.
“There is a new regime with the seniors this year and I’m hoping there will be more of a pull through.
“We have seen three or four progress over the last few seasons but I thought we had more to offer. The senior side is now a bit younger and they have done a lot of talent-spotting.
“I am very impressed with the talent we have and I will be disappointed if we do not make it three Inter-Service titles in a row.”
Spr Daniel Hounsell
Age: 18 Position: Right back Corps: RE
 HOUNSELL started his career with Aldershot Town before spells with Reading, Oxford United and Brentford, where he was released after being told he was too small.
“I was devastated, it is horrible when someone tells you that you cannot do the one thing you wanted to do for the rest of your life,” the determined 18-year-old defender told SoldierSport.
“I was hoping to get picked up, I was playing at district level and there were always scouts there.
“I had to make a decision. I turned down a contract with Aldershot, I had the opportunity but I couldn’t see it as a long-term move as they do not bring many young players through.”
Hounsell’s father is also a serving soldier so the path to the military was an obvious option.
“My dad said there might be a chance to break through with the Army,” the fullback said. “I’ve already played for the Under-23s and I’m still training and doing my trade course.
“I’ve only played for the regiment twice and I haven’t played for my corps yet, so it is the other way round for me.”
Hounsell is making big waves in the youth ranks but has a clear vision for the coming years.
“I want to keep going for the Under-23s. In the long term, you want to be going for the Army’s senior side and play in the Inter-Services,” he added.
Pte Joseph Samual
Age: 19 Position: Midfield Corps: RLC
 SAMUAL is a product of the Pepsi Academy in Nigeria.
Having represented his country at different youth levels, the skilful winger travelled to England for trials at the Lewisham College Football Academy with a view to making a name for himself in the professional game.
After being unable to afford the fees he had a brief spell with Sidford Football Club, in Exeter, before joining the Army in 2007.
“I did not get a proper team so I decided to join the Army as I thought they could give me a good opportunity to play football,” the 19-year-old said.
“I joined the Under-23s last season and won the Inter-Services championship. I played against the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and have now started playing for Sandhurst.
“I hope to win that title again this year and, if possible, go for a trial with the senior team.”
Depite not making it as a professional, Samual has remained positive about his sporting possibilities and is delighted with the new career he is forging in the Armed Forces.
“My dream was to play football but I am not disappointed as through the Army I can still make it,” he said.
“I will serve for four years to see how it goes but I am enjoying it at the moment and I can see me carrying on for another eight years.”
Cfn Jason Silver
Age: 20 Position: Winger Corps: REME
 SILVER played for his local side Havant and Waterlooville as a schoolboy.
At the age of 15 he left to play for Hampshire and the Portsmouth Football Club academy side but returned two years later.
After a year of reserve team football, which included a handful of appearances in the senior side, the winger saw his hopes dashed by a change of management and a reorganisation of the youth and reserve teams.
“They wanted to start with fresh, younger lads and I was pushing the age limits,” Silver explained.
“Joining the Army had been an ambition of mine since I was a young boy. I am very keen on sport and I knew from friends that the Army gives a lot of time to such activities.
“I just thought I could be doing something better with my life, I could have carried on playing college football but it was not really going anywhere.
“Playing down south the options are limited. I live in Portsmouth and the only teams based in that area are Southampton and Portsmouth.
“I could have stayed with Havant and Waterlooville but the pay is pretty poor.
“I had a background in mechanics so I joined the REME and I am really enjoying it. I have always liked fixing broken vehicles and this is a really good test of my knowledge. If I leave the Army I also have qualifications and a trade.”
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