Published: 12:01 am, 15 August 2023
Boot Dreams: Now or Never is a six-part documentary series which sees 16 footballers, aged 18 to 26, all rejected by top clubs, arrive at a unique training camp which aims to get them a new pro contract by helping them with their struggles, both on and off the pitch.
Can they get back in the game, and the dream job they love?
Throughout the four-week process, they’ll also be visited at regular intervals by presenter Roman Kemp, who once dreamed of becoming pro himself, and wants to find out more about the experiences that have led them there.
JA3
Q&A with Roman Kemp
How did you get involved in the project?
When I heard about the concept, it sounded like an amazing opportunity as the show represents two worlds for me which naturally collide. The team at BBC Three know that I’m a massive football fan but they also know that I’m very in tune with the mental health space so I jumped at the opportunity. I love football but I would never enter the space of football if it wasn’t my place and I felt this gave me a chance to be part of the game that I love and also have openly emotional conversations with the young athletes in the academy.
As a football fan yourself, what was it like to host the series?
It was pretty amazing. It was cool to be a part of something like being able to go into a dressing room and not feel like an outsider. The lads really made me feel part of the team and I felt like the link between the viewer and the boys so I loved being able to do that.
We see a lot of the boys in the academy due to injury, family trauma and other issues which halted their football careers – did you ever want to pursue football professionally growing up?
Being a professional footballer was never a realistic dream for me but football is my life. I would take being a boot cleaner if that meant I could get into football professionally! I've got so many tattoos that are football related on me – it really is my life.
Did you find any similarity with the boys during the process?
I think that young men have similar mindsets a lot of the time. But for the players, it just translates differently. In their world, they’re planning to make it into the team but for me, it’s working towards another show. I was so intrigued to see the emotional intelligence and the progression from a lot of the players throughout the series. A lot of them never had conversations like they did before, but by the end of the series, they were happy to talk about themselves, their family or why they wanted to do what they're doing.
Do you still actively play football alongside your career today?
Football is sacrosanct to me. On Wednesday evenings, I play football. Do not try to reach me! I play 7-a-side with my mates and we’re in a league. We’ve been friends and playing football since we were six years old. We've always played football with each other so we’ve got that as a lovely bond which keeps us together.
What would you say makes a great professional football player?
I would say it’s someone that can apply themselves. We all have different personalities, but it’s how we use those personalities in the talent we’re given. For example in the football world, you've got someone like Luis Suárez, who has quite a feisty personality but if he didn’t have that side of him, he may not be as good as he is because he’s applying that side of his character into the game.
On the other hand, you have someone like Ronaldinho who was always a player with a smile on his face and it was amazing to just watch him play. So, I wouldn’t say it’s all necessarily about dedication, it's about applying what you've got and putting that into the game. But hey, what can I say, I’m just a TV presenter!
How important do you believe academies like these are to young people?
They are so important but unfortunately, there aren’t enough academies like these. There are a few others that have been set up but there can be only so many footballers these days. It’s not about giving everyone a contract but it’s being aware that those that are being left behind might need a little bit of help.
What do you think viewers can expect and learn from the series?
They can expect to see a darker side of football that they never really knew about. Football isn't just all about money, fame and ‘the dream’. That dream is very few and far between and when it doesn't work out, it can leave you in a really tough predicament. I also think that people will learn about the pressure that is placed on young footballers and I think that's something that gets forgotten about.
Q&A with Gifton Noel-Williams
Tell us your journey from being a football player to a football coach?
I owe being a coach to my son Isiah. I had no interest in it but when I was close to retiring in America, I took my son to football practice and the coach didn’t turn up so I ended up coaching the session as I would normally just watch. After four weeks of the coach not turning up, I decided that I would take the team as I’d be there anyway and my love for coaching began.
Being a coach is great because it means I’m still in football and I’m also not in pain anymore following my career halting injury.
What made you want to become a coach for young players trying to get back into football?
I’ve seen so many young men that have had their dreams taken away and don’t know what to do next. My eldest son went through that and I was able to be there for him however, most young men don’t have that person in their lives so it’s a real soft spot for me to give that to others.
What would you say is the best thing about what you do?
I would say it’s helping a young person to develop and also to make new steps in life and that doesn’t mean it has to be in football.
And what would you say is the hardest part?
The hardest part is seeing young men whose hearts are broken and to see some men that can never bounce back from the heart break.
What would you say are the core qualities of a successful professional football player?
They have to be physically and mentally robust to withstand the challenges that come with the journey. I always say that everyone wants to be on the bus but there’s only so many seats for sale.
The academy has a core team who regularly check in with the boys physical and mental health - how important do you think it is to check in on the mental as well as the physical health of players?
The mental side of the game has grown a lot in recent years we still have a long way to go. It is good to see that professional clubs are addressing and realising that now.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to peruse a professional football career or get back into football?
It’s not going to be easy. Try to study while you’re reaching your dream and be prepared to sacrifice.
What can viewers expect and learn from watching the series?
They will learn a lot about football itself and also the things and conversations that happen every day across the country that no one else sees. There will be some drama, learning and hopefully people will fall in love with the boys. I also hope it can help someone who is or who has gone through the same situation too.
The Players
Jordan Mbakop Fankwe
19, Nottingham
Originally from Cameroon, defensive midfielder Jordan moved to the UK aged 14 to live with his father. Jordan was playing football on the street with his mates when he was spotted by a Nottingham Forest Scout and offered a trial. He was offered a two-year scholarship with them but was let go at the end of the first season.
Zak Guerfi
23, Hertfordshire
Central Midfielder Zak was part of Stevenage Academy from 11 through to 18 when he was released. He then went on to play for Tunisia’s International team, playing in matches against Iraq and Croatia. Zak was sold for a 4-year professional contract with a Tunisian team in the top division, Us Monastir. But he was dropped after just three months when he injured his hamstring.
Theo Hudson
21, Leeds
Scouted by Leeds United aged 7, Midfielder Theo went on to play for their youth team from 9, and looked destined for success when he got an opportunity to turn out for England U16’s. But at the age of 19 he was dropped by Leeds and still doesn’t understand why.
Jake Flannigan
25, Southampton
Defender Jake signed a four year scholarship with Southampton aged 12 and went to secure a three year professional contract with them. After making it to his first team Premier League game aged 18, he ruptured his ACL the next day at a reserves game. Since then Jake has battled with a succession of injuries and has had a number of major knee operations.
George Scott
19, Nottingham
Midfielder George briefly joined Notts County at 14, and after another brief stint at Mansfield, he went to Rotherham United on a scholarship aged 18.
Alex Sami
23, Manchester
Striker Alex moved to Manchester from Iran at the age of 15. He quickly moved up the teams at Curzon Ashton FC and within a few months was playing for the first team. He was scouted by Manchester City and put into the Academy team. He subsequently went to Bolton Wanderers where he seemed destined for success, until he was arrested on suspicion of an immigration offence. Though he was subsequently cleared, his career has never recovered.
Abidan Edwards
23, Birmingham
Goalkeeper Abidan was playing for a local Sunday league when he was spotted by West Brom at aged 16, he went on to trial at Birmingham City and played with them for half a year before being let go following issues with his behaviour.
Myles Bowman
22, Farnborough
Myles says his career began at four, when his Dad, himself a footballer, told him he would grow up to be a goalkeeper. At 15 he went to QPR and spent three years there before he was released. He’s now playing non-league football.
Scott Wara
22, Staffordshire
Defender Scott is originally from Fiji but after moving to Stoke aged ten he was subsequently scouted at 13 by Stoke City FC. Scott stayed with Stoke City for eight years and looked set to make his first team debut at 18 before a change of manager stalled his career. Scott has also played for the Fijian national team.
Hamza Abuzour
20, Manchester
Midfielder Hamza is from Hungary where his grandfather was a professional footballer. He moved to England at the age of eight, eventually spending time training with Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers. Hamza has a unique path to the camp as he was spotted during a training match where he impressed Gifton and Roman with his ability.
Alfie Young
25, Watford
At the age of 11 Alfie was scouted by Watford and signed to their Academy where he played through to 19. Defender Alfie was given a two year professional contract but wasn’t ever given a first team appearance with Watford and ended up being released at the end of his first year.
Bryan Ly
19, Manchester
Bryan grew up in Ireland playing football for Cherry Orchard but his parents moved their family to Manchester after realising his talents. He moved straight into the Manchester City Development squad where he played for five years, but he didn’t end up getting signed. He signed for the U16s academy at Morecambe after playing a match with their development squad and was offered a two year Scholarship.
Qasim Khan
20, London
Qasim signed with Cambridge United as an U15 but got released after a year without a scholarship. Striker Qasim’s life changed at 16 when he was diagnosed with b cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. After six months of chemotherapy and a year later the all-clear, Qasim went straight back to training and Wembley FC who signed him after his first game.
Harrison Foulstone
20, Sheffield
Leftback Harrison achieved every kid’s dream when he was scouted to join the development squad of his home team, Sheffield United, at the age of seven. He stayed for 12 years before being released at the age of 19. Now doing well-paid work on an oil rig, he still wants to return to the pro game.
Harvey Cullinan
19, County Clare, Ireland
Centre Back Harvey joined Sheffield United at 16, after growing up playing in Sunday League in Ireland. After two years he was offered a pro contract but spent a large part of the season injured, before being let go.
Charley McMillian
27, Kent
Originally from Sao Paulo, Charley came to Britain at the age of five and went on to join Tottenham Academy. He’s subsequently played abroad in Albania and Estonia, but with a wife and two young children at home in the UK, is keen to find a British club.
Tevhan Tyrell
25, Manchester
Striker Tevhan began his career in Bermuda, playing for the national team from 14. He moved to the UK aged 18, but his career has been disrupted by clubs closing and injury and most recently, COVID.
Exaucé Mabanza-Ditu
21, Surrey
Exaucé’s family left The Congo when he was six years old due to Civil unrest. He played for local teams until the age of 11 when he was scouted by Crystal Palace. At 16, he was offered a Scholarship but a few months later they withdrew. Since then, Exaucé has had trials at Brentford and Barnet which were unsuccessful, so moved into non-League, firstly with Welling United and then Staines Town FC.
Latham Edwards
22, Manchester
Latham played for a grass roots club up to aged nine, until Manchester United came to watch and he was subsequently taken into their elite development squad. Whilst at the Academy, his asthma became an increasing problem and stalled his career.
Edson Da Silva Doliveira
23, London
Edson moved to London aged seven. He joined a school programme with Fulham FC aged around 14-15, and joined the 2nd team. The Fulham Academy decided not to take Edson on so he went to Thamesmead where he was their top scorer for the season. He was signed by a club in Andorra, but released during the pandemic.
Tonye Joseph
24, London
Midfielder Tonye grew up playing cage football before joining QPR aged 12. From 15, he had a succession of trials, but gave up to go to university. He decided to give the game one more chance and secured a new trial, before COVID disrupted his plans.
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