X-Factor FC
Last Saturday saw the start of the UK X-Factor where hundreds of thousands singing hopefuls of all ages attempt to achieve their dream of becoming a world famous pop star.
What could be easily seen as it's football equivalent is Pro FC.
Pro FC, at it's core, is a football development organisation which offers male players over the age of 16 the opportunity to be coached like a professional footballer for 5 days. The final day results in a 90 minute football match watched by scouts and coaches of football league club.
The cost to each player is £600 for the 5 days of which at the end they hope to be selected by one of the watching clubs with the chance to gain a scholarship or professional contract.
Interviewed by the BBCs Jim Taylor, Pro FC founder and Notts County Manager Martin Allen, says one player has been given a contract with AFC Wimbledon after attending a Pro FC camp but admits that for most it's not going to lead to fame and fortune.
"If they're good they will go to football clubs and train"
"There's no guarantee of a contract, but we do get people into football clubs."
All players who attend the Pro FC camps are given the chance to listen to a guest speaker who talks about the different roles in football away from the pitch. These include management, coaching, physio and medical, refereeing, scouting, technical analysis and marketing and commercial opportunities.
Taylor goes on to say that despite other roles promoted in football "there's no evidence yet that Pro FC has helped many people into those jobs either."
I've got loads of thoughts on this style of trial system and I may be jumping the gun as I've only looked at the website and read the BBCs report but my biggest concern/question is - Do Pro FC, following the week, provide extended support and advice to those who don't get selected or is their contact with the players only for the 5 days?
Any thoughts on what you've read? Please discuss...
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